Every year, we recognize October as Careers in Student Affairs month. Student Affairs is an important, wide-encompassing field of higher education administration and is open to all backgrounds of professionals, allowing them the opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact on students’ academic lives. Student affairs professionals fulfill a wide spectrum of roles on campus, including admissions, residence life, academic advising, financial aid, student activities, and career services.

To cap off Careers in Student Affairs month, we’ve compiled a list of excellent resources for those who are considering a career in student affairs. Have additional suggestions for student affairs career resources? Let us know in the comments section, and we’ll add them to the list!

- NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

http://www.naspa.org/

Twitter: @NASPAtweets

NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Their website is a comprehensive resource for student affairs administrators. Dive in by reading about What Student Affairs is and Why Choose a Career in Student Affairs . NASPA is made up of several knowledge communities which focus on specific areas in Student Affairs.

- ACPA – American College Personnel Association

http://www.myacpa.org

Twitter: @ACPA

A leading comprehensive student affairs association that leads the student affairs profession and the higher education community in providing outreach, advocacy, research, and professional development to foster college student learning.

- ACUHO-I – The Association of College and University Housing Officers – International

http://www.acuho-i.org

Twitter: @ACUHOI

ACUHO-I is the preeminent professional association serving housing professionals, and supports and promotes the collegiate residential experience.

- ACUI – Association of College Unions International

http://www.acui.org/content.aspx?menu_id=206&id=138

Twitter: @ACUItweets

ACUI is a nonprofit educational organization that brings together college union and student activities professionals from hundreds of schools in seven countries whose mission is to build campus community.

- BreakDrink

http://breakdrink.com/

Twitter: @breakdrink

BreakDrink is a community of Student Affairs Professionals who are dedicated to providing alternative forms of professional development. They feature regular podcasts on student affairs professional development topics.

- The Student Affairs Collaborative

http://thesabloggers.org

Twitter: @The_SA_Blog

The Student Affairs Collaborative is a “peer-to-peer informal learning community,” giving student affairs professionals a platform to connect, share, and learn from each other. The SA Collaborative blogs regularly on student affairs issues, and hosts a weekly chat on Twitter – #sachat – a very active and supportive student affairs community.

- Student Affairs Women Lead

http://sawomenlead.com/

Twitter: @sawomenlead

A valuable resource for women in student affairs and higher education (though not just women!), SA Women Lead seeks to support the leaders who are developing campus communities around the country, affirm the work that is being done to promote women leaders, lift up the voices that may be quieted in other venues, and transform how we create institutions of higher learning.

- NASPA Women in Student Affairs Knowledge Community

http://wisakc.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @wisa_kc

Another valuable resource for women in student affairs – the purpose of the WISA Knowledge Community is to give voice to the needs of women in student affairs and to provide professional development opportunities through both regional and national activities designed to address gender equity and prompt personal growth. WISA provides a home for student affairs professionals who work in women’s and gender centers or with gender-related concerns on college campuses, creating networking opportunities for those professionals.

- SA Snapshots

http://mallorybower.com/category/sa-snapshots

Twitter: @MalloryBower

SA Snapshots on Mallory Bower’s blog profiles different Student Affairs professionals from all walks of life, and their experiences working in student affairs.

-The SA Search

http://www.thesasearch.org/

Twitter: @TheSASearch

The #SASearch is a forum for professionals in student affairs to share their experiences, tips, advice, frustrations, and lessons learned on both sides of the interview table.  A great student affairs resource for professional development and the job search.

-Preparation Programs for a Career in Student Affairs

Twitter: @BrianFLeDuc

Excellent post about student affairs opportunities and programs throughout the country and ways for students to build their portfolio for a career in student affairs.

For regular higher ed #career tips, follow us on Twitter @sjgsearch!