Karin Dalesky, MA

I think trying to meet people where they are is a huge thing, because everybody's coming from different experiences and situations, and so really trying to meet people where they are. And again, being open-minded about things. I think the fact that I'm loyal - this is a Taurian trait, by the way - and I'm loyal to my campus, and I think that's really made a huge difference, at least for me, in what I do. I could have taken other positions throughout the years, but I haven't even really looked. I think I've interviewed maybe for a couple of different positions in my whole career at UW Tacoma, and I just never really wanted to leave. I've been in the same school for all this time. I do like to live in the past a little bit, because I just think it was a lot easier, and I like the idea of working at one place for a long time - it's like a lost art or something. That sort of mentality is kind of what has led to my success, I think.

Don't argue with the faculty - the faculty sort of have the run of things, although there's ways they can be persuaded. Be open-minded. And be open to change, and be flexible. Those are the things that have really helped me. I hate change, I really hate it. But when I accepted the fact that change is the norm, it was so much easier to deal with. When you're flexible and you can just kind of roll with things a little bit, it may not be your first choice of how to move through the world, but it really makes a difference, and it takes so much of the stress out of your life when you're not fighting that. Change is inevitable with everything. Being flexible has really got me a long way. And also, truly see other points of view, because everybody has something to say, and all voices really should be at least considered. You might not agree with what they're saying, but at least you're considering what they have to say and honoring them.

A lot of people should not be too proud to take an entry-level position and work their way up, which is what I've done. You may start in an entry-level position, but you're gonna gain a lot of experience from that, and it's experience that's really invaluable. I learned a lot doing that, and when employers see that you're competent in these small tasks that they give you, then they give you more responsibility because they trust you and they know you're gonna get the job done. Taking an entry-level position is by no means a bad thing. I went from being a program assistant to doing event planning, faculty searches, scheduling, then I started working in admissions, and then I grew from there. An entry-level position can lead to so many other things and provide valuable experience that employers really love. You have to learn how to work as a team with people, and sometimes people you're not overly enamored with. You have to be flexible, and you have to learn the culture of the place that you're working at, especially if you want to continue to work there, and adapt. Adaptability is huge. And also be yourself. I think that has worked very well for me. I've always been very genuine. Being genuine, I think, is huge, and I think it's really served me well to honor myself and to be the best true self that I can be.

For people in the advising world, it's hard to get promotions and this sort of thing. You kind of hit a roadblock with that. Fortunately for us, these positions - there were three positions created within our school - and so that's been helpful, because of course, cost of living and a little bit more money is always helpful. Also, sometimes in this job, people think that if we're pointing out that there's problems, that we're just complaining about things unnecessarily, and it's really not that. We're really thinking about the students. It isn't like we're just wanting to complain about things just for the sake of it - these are real issues. We like to have data and proof of things, and we can usually provide it. But we could be viewed as a little bit uppity, because we are advocates - that's part of our job, is to advocate for students. It can come off as being a little like we should know our place. But from my standpoint, I will always advocate for students and what's good for them. That has occasionally, not so much now, but in the past, been a big challenge.

I like to work hard, but I also work hard and I play hard. When I'm done with work, I'm done. It's like, okay, it's the weekend now, so now I'm gonna go play my music, and I'm gonna work hard at that, or I'm gonna go to this concert and really enjoy it, or I'm going to hang out with my friends and enjoy their company. I have great, great friends. Very fortunate. I've had friends that I've known since elementary school and maintain those friendships. Very fortunate to have had those people in my life. So those are the values - friendship, my family is pretty small at this point, but that's also really important to me, the people that are left. I like the work that I do, so it's really not that much like work. That was my goal when I decided I wanted to enter higher education - I wanted a job where it was actually something I didn't dread going in. I look forward to going in, and I look forward to meeting with my students and working with most of my colleagues.