Creating Sustainable Careers in Student Affairs: What Ideal Worker Norms Get Wrong and How to Make it Right

The book "The Ideal Worker Norm in Student Affairs: When Work-Life Balance is a Myth" argues that the current structure of student affairs work is not sustainable and places inordinate burdens on staff to respond to the needs of students, often at the expense of their own families and well-being. The authors use ideal worker norms in conjunction with other theories to interrogate the impact on student affairs staff across functional areas, institutional types, career stages, and identity groups. Challenging ideal worker norms, the book offers implications for practice for both individuals and institutions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 30 January 2021
Publisher: Stylus Publishing

The current structure of student affairs work is not sustainable, as it relies on the notion that employees are available to work non-stop without any outside responsibilities. This ideal worker norm places inordinate burdens on staff, often at the expense of their own families and well-being. While student affairs professionals can meet the needs of their students without being overworked, the problem lies in the pervasive ideal worker norms in higher education and student affairs work, which provide little incentive for institutions to change.

The authors of this book use ideal worker norms in conjunction with other theories to interrogate the impact on student affairs staff across functional areas, institutional types, career stages, and identity groups. The book is divided into three sections. The first section examines various facets of the structure of work in student affairs, including the impact of institutional type and different functional areas on employees' work-lives. The second section explores the personal toll that working in student affairs can take, including the impact of emotional labor on well-being. The final section focuses on how different identity groups, such as mothers, fathers, and people of color, navigate work/life issues.

Challenging ideal worker norms, all chapters offer implications for practice for both individuals and institutions. The book highlights the need for a shift in mindset to a more sustainable and equitable model of student affairs work that recognizes the importance of work-life balance and the well-being of staff. It calls for institutions to prioritize the support and development of their staff, including providing adequate resources, training, and policies that promote work-life balance.

Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by different identity groups in student affairs work. It suggests that institutions should create inclusive and supportive environments that promote diversity and equity and provide opportunities for staff to develop their skills and expertise in working with diverse student populations.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of student affairs by challenging ideal worker norms and advocating for a more sustainable and equitable model of work. It offers practical insights and recommendations for both individuals and institutions seeking to improve the well-being and productivity of their staff.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781620369500