Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

Creating Sustainable Careers in Student Affairs

What Ideal Worker Norms Get Wrong and How to Make It Right

Abigail Leppert

Ashleigh Mitchell

---

Abstract

Creating Sustainable Careers in Student Affairs: What Ideal Worker Norms Get Wrong and How to Make It Right compiles the voices of dozens of practitioners and faculty members in the field to give a thorough analysis of the ideal worker norms in our profession’s culture. This book calls out harmful yet familiar working conditions in student affairs and provides an introductory framework on how to break the cycle of professional socialization in student affairs. The contributing authors emphasize practical recommendations for all career levels, such as applying boundary theory to achieve work-life integration for graduate students, mid-level managers, and senior student affairs officers (SSAOs).