Why I Became a Financial Aid Consultant
By: Sean Hudson, FAS Consultant
After twenty years of the highs and lows of being a Financial Aid administrator I ran for the door! I could not take it anymore. Three months before I made my escape, my college fired several of my closest coworkers and allies. Two of the people were members of an unofficial committee we formed to solve problems. Two months before my bolting, one of my counselors resigned and the college would not let me replace him. One month before I flew the coop, I gave my vice president a three-page list of ways to make things better for my office. She approved none of them.
Work Stress Takes Its Toll
During the Christmas break I had my annual physical. My doctor said I looked twice my age. It is amazing how the stress of working in financial aid for two decades can age someone. He listed the potential negative impacts if I stayed the course. After a discussion with my wife, I knew what I had to do. With or without a new job lined up, I had to resign. I gave my notice when we returned from the holiday break.
Figuring Out What’s Next
I took two months to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my working life. I knew whatever I chose is what I would need to stick with for at least 15 – 20 years. I knew how lucky I was to be given this second chance at starting over. My parents did the same job for over forty years. I did not want to rush a decision.
The Path to Financial Aid Services
The one great thing about working in financial aid is meeting a lot of amazing people. I have made hundreds of great friends over the years. The people are in it for the right reasons! When I informed my colleagues/friends I was leaving my school I started getting daily job postings from them. A good friend at the Loan Default Management company we used knew Gary Byers at Financial Aid Services (FAS) and suggested I investigate consulting work. He thought based on my skill set I would be successful at it. He connected me with Gary. I met with Gary and Kathy Hill and agreed to try consulting for six months to see if it was for me.
My first assignment was at the University of New Hampshire. The staff and students were welcoming, and the campus was beautiful. It was so successful they extended my assignment by two months. I decided to stay on the ride to see what might come next. Now almost three years later I love the company I work for and enjoy “going” to work every morning. There is one exception to this – a feeling of guilt when I start at an assignment and see my brothers and sisters still battling in the trenches at the schools.
Survivor’s Remorse
I feel like I managed to escape but I left behind friends still trapped inside. It makes me think of the Jackson Browne song “For Everyman.” Jackson wrote this in response to the Crosby, Still & Nash song “Wooden Ships” in which they describe escaping a nuclear holocaust by getting on sailboats and sailing away. Jackson asks about the people that couldn’t sail away and he “sits thinking about everyman” left behind.
I think I have been successful as a consultant because I do think about everyman. I can sympathize with my colleagues still at colleges. I have been there and know what they are experiencing. I make sure to help boost the staff’s confidence at each of my assignments because students still need them behind those walls!
Burnout: Extinguishing the Flame
Sean is not alone when it comes to dealing with burnout. A recent Forbes article states, “Burnout is not just a passing issue but pervasive problem at all levels in today’s fast paced environment. More than 80% of employees are at risk of burnout this year. This complex issue stems from a multitude of factors, including excessive workload, exhaustion, and financial strain.”
Staffing shortages in financial aid are a symptom of burnout. In a 2022 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) survey, 56% of respondents reported that they were operating at a reduced staff capacity. Whether it’s stress, dissatisfaction, or heavy workloads, teams are struggling to hire and retain skilled workers. It is a challenging time for financial aid departments nationwide.
Challenges Deserve Solutions
At FAS, we believe these challenges deserve solutions. We offer a variety of services to strengthen your financial aid office operations. These include:
- Consulting and training
- Interim Staffing
- Outsourced Processing
Sean Hudson is one of the many passionate consultants that can help your institution operate better. He brings two decades of experience and a zeal for all things related to financial aid to all his campus assignments. Could your institution use an FAS consultant like Sean?
