An ode to advising

Most students see advising as a resource for course selection and keeping up with graduation requirements. However, there can be much more to it in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. If a student is willing to put in the time and effort, a good academic advisor may help him or her discover strengths, clarify life goals, develop both as a person and student, and even create plans to accomplish professional dreams. Nevertheless, good advising requires the aid of an advisor who is willing to help and a system that is conducive to student-advisor interaction to draw out these strengths. 

The advising systems in the departments in the School seem to provide a harmonious balance between establishing freedom for students to make choices while maintaining ever-present support. Unlike the advising system within the College of Arts and Sciences, which seems to require a student to jump over many hurdles before ever receiving an answer, public health students may arrange appointments with the simplest of ease. When asked about his opinion on advising in the School, Jeremy Ellender, a junior BSPH student in the Health Policy and Management Department (HPM) stated, “[In the College of Arts and Science,] I felt like I had to make an appointment to ask a simple question. Also, the appointment was nearly always set for a week and a half later than I needed. The advising in our department, however, is much more email friendly, I can typically have questions answered in moments.” Amanda Velasquez, a Senior BSPH Nutrition student, argues that advising is more complete, and thus more effective, in the School because the “professors are more aware of [a student’s] activities outside of class and thus can advise [them] in a more holistic approach.” 

By leaving the door to her office open, Ms. Lee aims to let students know they are free to drop by.

Even SPH advisors may benefit from their experiences with students. Ms. Joanne Lee, the Student Services Manager for the Nutrition Department, claims she never intended to be a student advisor. “I was actually working in the Department of Nutrition as assistant to the Chair when this position became vacant. At that time, several faculty recommended that I should apply and thought I would really enjoy the work and dealing directly with the faculty, staff, and students. I’m really a people-person and this job was perfect for me!” Through nearly a decade of working at this position, Ms. Lee has come to love her job: “Yes, at times, it can be stressful, but overall, I love the people and the diversity of the work. I personally enjoy meeting all of the students and the feeling of being a part of something and a small piece of their lives.” 

In my opinion, one aspect that truly sets apart advising in the SPH, and quite possibly the School in general, is the one-on-one attention that is given to each student. From a student’s perspective, nearly every faculty or staff person I have approached with a question or concern has either provided me an answer or directed me to another person who can better help. Never have I felt as though I’ve been neglected. From an advisor’s perspective, Ms. Lee states “I have an open-door policy and I will try to meet all of [the students’] needs. I’m always trying to make everyone happy and for things to run smoothly.” 

So, the next time you (as a public health student) make an appointment with your advisor or approach a faculty member with a question, bear in mind that they will likely do their best to help you with your needs. Also, whether you’re a graduate student seeking help with your dissertation or an undergraduate student desperately attempting to meet graduation requirements, remember that advisors can help you with much more than the scope of an academic career. 

In contrast to the strength of advising in the School, this report ends with a final ‘horror story’ about advising from Yelena Pecheny, a junior BSPH student in HPM: “When I tried to add a double minor to my school status, Russian language and Religious studies, I went to academic advising in [the College of Arts and Science] after I’d waited two weeks to set up an appointment. I met with one of the advisors in my previous team for health advising, but she was not very helpful; I met with her for a total of two minutes. After talking to my advisor here at the School, I found out all I had to do was obtain a ‘change minor’ form from my advisor in the general college and add those two minors and sign off. It took a total of 5 seconds. I was very frustrated after running back and forth all day. Suffice it to say I was not happy. Plus, I am still only a single major and minor student. They only added Religious Studies and not Russian. I gave up because I do not want to go through that process again just to add Russian as one of my official minors.” For more information about advising in the School, refer to degree program handbooks or guidelines in each department or visit our website. 

 ************************************************************************************************** Got ideas for stories about students? Involved in interesting events coming? Email Alice or Chirag, student assistants in the SPH Office of Student Affairs.