The social stratification of professional development within student affairs

A common and honorable theme among educators is that their desired career path is driven by their passion to help students (not a six‐figure salary). This is no different for student affairs professionals, many of whom have taken on the extra financial burden of graduate school (higher education/student affairs program) to qualify them for entry‐level positions in student affairs in areas like student activities, residence life, academic advising, etc. For recent graduates and new professionals in student affairs, like many within this generation, personal financial instability can be an unfortunate reality