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 Depends on what I call each person's “inner age.” Personally, I'm 67 in body, but about 18 inside. I really call myself an “experienced teenager.”~ Louis Schmier, Valdosta State University, November 7, 2007 Dr. Jane Houston says most academic/career counselors (counselors in general) are still training persons to act (seek jobs/career/life path) as white, Anglo males seeking jobs in about 1953; we all need to come into the 21st century. Is that true?~ Thomas G. Fairbairn, Ontario College of Art & Design, November 7, 2007 While I am no longer cool (read: over the age of 30), I still have my sense of humor which I think helps me to relate to these young whippersnappers coming to college. (Wait . . . no one says whippersnapper anymore, do they?) For me, if you can make an advisee feel comfortable with not only your behavior/attitude, but your office environment (I have a lot of toys in my office—mostly for my enjoyment), then I think this helps to bridge the generational gap/chasm. Having said this, it has been my experience that advisees are generally respectful when they first meet me since they don't know what to expect from me, hence the gap/chasm can be quite large. (It's only later when they find out just how insane I really am that the gap/chasm starts to shrink somewhat.)~ Michael Stella, Penn State Berks, November 8, 2007 Certainly there are generation gaps just as there are educational, ethnic, gender, cultural, and social gaps. The gaps in the adviser-advisee relationship can serve as the cohesive bond: just as the silence in music and dark in a painting enhances the sound and the light and is central to communicating the message of the work. No less so than with an academic adviser. In fact, we should celebrate those gaps since they are such a rich part of the diversity that enhances the relationship and enlightens the student.The hallmark of a good academic adviser is to be a leader, and leadership consists of setting examples, of living the life and walking the walk. Leadership is the ability to be present to the person and listen with care and concern. Leadership is knowing yourself and sharing that self with others. These qualities are central to motivating our clients and are even enhanced precisely because of those perceived gaps. ~ John McCluney, Kaplan University Online, November 19, 2007 I don't think there is a generation gap between older and younger advisers. I think what needs to start happening is special workshops on “generation diversity” in the workforce; after all, there are four different age groups out there all at the same time.~ Linda Hardenbergh, University of Massachusetts Boston, November 26, 2007 The Mentor is published by Penn State's Division of Undergraduate Studies Available online at www.psu.edu/dus/mentor/ Privacy and Legal Statements | Copyright | © The Pennsylvania State University | All rights reserved | |
