Dallas Academic Advisor Offers Tips For Returning Students
Kiara Smith originally wanted to be a marriage counselor. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Saint Louis University in Missouri, and began her master's degree program in marriage and family therapy at SLU.
Smith decided to continue on her master's degree and was enrolled in the marriage and family counseling program at Texas Woman's University. She started working for the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) as an enrollment services generalist at Mountain View College. She found that she loved helping students through the application process and wanted to do more; she transferred to Richland College as an academic advisor.
While working at Mountain View, Smith wanted to continue her education. To balance the demands of working and caring for a family, she chose the online program at Texas A&M Commerce in counseling. A year before she finished the program, she took a required group counseling class and discovered that she loved it. She wanted to focus on higher education. Smith changed her focus to student affairs and graduated from Texas A&M Commerce with a master's degree in counseling and student affairs and now works at North Lake College as a Senior Academic Advisor.
"You should follow your desires and passions," Smith advises. In regards to returning to school, Smith offered these tips:
You have to have a good support system.
"There were many times when I didn't want to go back. I had a good support system. My husband wouldn't let me give up. He watched the kids while I studied or when I needed to attend a campus class."
Know your strengths and weaknesses.
"You need to know if you have the discipline to handle the time management requirements of online study or if you learn better in a classroom setting."
Know your options.
"I had no idea that my degree in student affairs was an option. If you follow your passions and desires, they will lead you to a career path that is right for you."
Trust in God and trust the timing of your life.
"I didn't understand all the things I went through, but it is all coming full circle. There is a reason for everything."
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com