News from The Mahurin Honors College

Austin Wheeler (MHC ‘26) is an MHC student worker from Elkton, KY double majoring in Psychology and Social Work and minoring in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health. In addition to working in the MHC, he is a Peer Mentor, part of the Honors Social Planning Board,  and an H4 counselor.

Austin got his start as a student worker from an email about a student position opening in the MHC. When he began last year, his responsibilities consisted of answering emails and phone calls, making spreadsheets, and general office tasks. However, last summer he also acted as the student summer worker, and for that position he gave tours and helped plan the honors freshman orientation retreat. This semester, Austin’s role has evolved into that of a student advisor student worker, which means he does advising appointments, honors augmentation contracts, honors travel abroad agreements, and other activities on the academic side of the MHC. With new responsibilities, it is very important Austin manages his time efficiently. He balances academics and work by designating separate times to complete his respective responsibilities. This semester, his classes fell on Tuesdays and Thursdays and he works Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. “So every other day I'm doing either class or work. I'm never really integrating the two which I think helps” according to Austin. 

Working in the MHC has also enhanced Austin’s professional workplace skills, teaching him various software, appropriate workplace attire, how to market himself, and professional and interpersonal communication. He has also had the opportunity to learn from other members of the MHC team. Learning how to market himself has led to an understanding of his qualities and how to adapt those to allow him to shine in various circumstances. Additionally, more practice in interpersonal communication allows him to think on his feet and explain situations in which he has exhibited certain qualities people are asking of him and has taught him, “how to talk more fluently and frequently with students”. Through his work, Austin has also learned how to effectively communicate with coworkers of different ages and backgrounds as well as been able to learn from others’ success stories. He has found himself gaining confidence in speaking to new people and “walking up to people, definitely, forming early foundation-based relationships has helped [him] a lot”. 

Being in this position also impacted Austin’s career goals, causing him to add a double major in Social Work. As a student worker under the previous Director of Academics, Susann Davis, Austin was able to complete administrative tasks which led him to realize his interest in administrative work and helping students. This influenced him to apply to be a Peer Mentor. Handling a wider range of responsibilities this semester has led Austin to consider work in higher education, possibly as a case manager or similar career, which led him to add a Social Work major. Austin says, “A part-time student worker job is turned into a little more than part-time like halfway to a career kind of job so, you know, it's definitely worth it in the short-term.”

The MHC collaborates with other organizations on campus and through that experience, Austin has formed relationships with people of other organizations, one being the Intercultural Student Engagement Center(ISEC) on campus. Working with ISEC has allowed Austin to see the perspectives of others who grew up different from him. Additionally, working on the administrative side of student activities has allowed Austin to see the work that goes into helping students and has led him to have a deeper understanding and appreciation for leadership decisions and enhanced his overall fondness for the university.

When asked to give advice to those considering applying to be a student worker, Austin suggests learning the power of a good cover letter and putting qualities on your resumes and applications so employers know the kind of worker you are. Aside from the benefit of a paid position, Austin has built many connections, and experienced aspects of his potential career he wouldn’t have otherwise had access to. “It's just about building connections. I think that's why I took the job, was to have those connections and it's definitely helped me out and it's paid off in the long run.” 

We appreciate everything Austin does for scholars, and look forward to watching him continue to grow!