Compares the skills of student affairs personnel to those required in other management jobs. Notes that many individuals choose or are forced to leave student affairs field at mid-career and examines reasons why this occurs. Suggests that student affairs education and experience can have salutary effects even if an individual leaves the field.…

Examines what might occur when staff members change positions and offers suggestions for the "alien" venturing into unfamiliar territory. Discusses ways in which an alien may trespass: inappropriate enthusiasm for the new place; failure to fit into the system; inappropriate comparisons; failure to define success; failure to deal with failing; and…

Examines the perceived attrition crisis in student affairs and reviews the literature on attrition in the field that has been reported to date. Explores overall career patterns, distinct factors that may influence decisions to leave student affairs, and some potential effects of attrition. Discusses implications for practice and offers…

Examined people who earn degrees in Student Personnel/College Student Development and work in settings other than a college campus. Masters and doctoral graduates (N=182) responded to a questionnaire examining demographics, work-related values, opinions about salary, and reasons for career change. Gives recommendations for encouraging continuance…

Presents research results that illustrate demographic profiles of chief student affairs officers. Analyzed survey data to identify variables influencing student affairs officers' next professional move. Results indicated interest to leave the field was related to promotion, college teaching, and changes to the public or private sector. (RC)

Advises young student affairs professionals as to how they might achieve personal and professional success at small, private, liberal arts colleges, both urban and rural. Examines problems endemic to the small college and ways the young professional can work to overcome them. (Author/ABB)

Chief student personnel administrators (CSPAs) were surveyed to examine the changes in student personnel administrative positions over the past 10 years. Changes were discovered in title, level of educational preparation, experience in the position, age, and the proportion of women to men. (RC)

Examined turnover among chief student affairs officers (CSAO) from 1974-1981. Analyzed annual and aggregate turnover data of higher education institutions. A comparison with three other administrative positions, chief executive officer, chief academic officer, and chief business officer, indicated CSAO's have the second highest turnover rate. (RC)

A research study was conducted using the small population of current graduate preparation faculty who were both NASPA members and former student affairs practitioners (n = 38). The purpose of this study was to discover the benefits and challenges faced by practitioners when moving from an administrative position to a full-time faculty position in…

Identifies some of the problems and issues endemic to research studying career patterns in student affairs. Suggests more promising avenues of research. Discusses the conditioning effects of the higher education environment, recent developments in conceptualizing career research, experimental design issues and opportunities for studying work…

Focuses on the career development problems of student personnel administrators. Discusses psychological problems common in middle adult years. Examines problems associated with career change, burnout, and relocation. (RC)