by Lauren Murphy (lcmurphy@gwu.edu)
I have been privileged to have amazing professionals invest in me over the years, from assisting me into university as a first generation student, to landing my first student affairs role and moving through each step in my career. Through their support I have been able to observe good practice, have an outside view into my experiences, receive needed challenge and validation, and gain assistance in navigating unknown territory. More so, they did all this not because they had to, but because they genuinely wanted to. As such, these are things that I have worked to emulate in my own practice, remembering to “pay it forward,” as one of my closer mentors reminds those around them to do.
For myself, paying it forward comes through in a variety of ways, and it was most present in my ACPA conference attendance. What was most striking for this year’s conference was that I have reached a clear point in my career where I am spending greater time investing in others then seeking it out for myself. Where my conference calendar had once been filled with coffee and lunch meetings with mentors, colleagues, and connections through my network, I was now taking more time to meet with mentees and new professionals who sought me out, to talk about everything from job searches to current issues in our field. While this meant a change in how I was spending my time in conference, it was just as beneficial to my time, as each interaction somehow gave me fresh perspective and energy.
Working with ACPA’s NextGen Conference has only added to these opportunities to connect with students and new professionals. I began working as what is now known as a “Professional Development Guide” (formerly known as the NextGen Mentoring Program) in 2016, and it has continually been my favorite element of ACPA. Each year I have had the opportunity to connect with amazing undergraduate and graduate students at different points in their process of deciding to join our field. Each of my cohorts has been different, and I have loved the opportunity to connect with them prior to conference and hear their backgrounds, help them navigate their first professional conference, and for some, assist with their transition into our field. My cohort this year was unique in that I had a group of all undergraduate students. Instead of spending time talking upcoming internships, job searches, and finding your “fit” (as in past years), I had the opportunity to really reflect on my reasons for getting into this field and tapping these students into the endless possibilities available.
While attending any conference is an opportunity to seek out personal and professional development, it it also an opportunity to pay it forward and invest in others. But regardless of place, how do you pay it forward in our field?
Lauren Murphy is the Assistant Director for Residential Education overseeing educational initiatives in the residence halls, including residential staff training, faculty engagement, and the Residence Hall Association.
