THE INFLUENCE OF INSTITUTIONAL TYPE AND SOCIALIZATION PROCESSES ON THE IDEAL WORKER NORMS OF STUDENT AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS

A socialization lens is useful in clarifying how different institutional types familiarize and habituate workers into ideal worker norms using processes unique to their mission, students, and structure, but concurrently reinforces and reproduces those norms. Socialization processes that include investiture and divestiture practices are more likely found in corporate settings and the military. Mission, students, and the nature of work at community colleges shape patterns in how community colleges use socialization of student affairs professionals to define and reproduce ideal worker norms for this institution type. A collective socialization process refers to an induction process that is group oriented. The diverse student population translates to a wide range of student demographics that necessitates that student affairs professionals at community colleges be able to work across a multitude of student identities, life situations, and needs. In comparison to the community college, student affairs work at baccalaureate/liberal arts institutions share similar characteristics that produce some parallel ideal worker norms.