Jake Talmage
Director of College Counseling
St. Paul's School (MD)
How did you get started in college counseling/admissions?
Like many admission
people, I started by volunteering as a student in the office at my alma mater,
William and Mary. Back then, students were needed to open mail, file papers,
stuff envelopes, etc. That experience evolved into becoming a tour guide, then
an internship. Through that internship, I had the opportunity to be a part of
the admission committee, run an open house, evaluate applications, attend
college fairs and much more. I loved it.
As I graduated, I moved to University of Vermont and confirmed that I loved
working with students through this process. After eight years on the college
side, I had the opportunity to move to the other side of the desk which seemed
like the right move at the time. I have
now been a college counselor for fifteen years. I am not sure it matters which
side of the desk I am on—I have enjoyed helping students throughout.
What's your favorite admissions/counseling memory?
Wow. This is tough.
There are so many. They range from the silly—between the travel and working
with teenagers, there are lots of laughs—to the impactful. I have met students and colleagues who have
done amazing things. But, my favorites can be grouped together. Whether on the
college or high school side, I really enjoy when a student returns a year or
two or more later and says, “Thank you.”
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue leadership in
PCACAC and/or NACAC?
Get involved at the
level that works for you. When I first returned to PCACAC after being in VT, I
was an admission officer at Johns Hopkins. Given my duties there, I did not
have the time to fully engage myself, but I still did what I could. I met
wonderful people and learned a lot from my engagement. I moved out of region
for five years, but then returned. As I returned, I had more time and could get
more involved. I volunteered more and over time Co-chaired Professional
Development. Then, I had to step back for a couple of years due to other time
constraints. Now, I have the opportunity to give more and am happy to serve as
Secretary, Vice-chair for Admission Practices and on faculty at Summer
Institute.
If not working in admissions/college counseling, what else could
you see yourself pursuing?
Those that know me
know I love the outdoors, specifically fishing. During college and high school,
I was the first mate on a sport-fishing boat. My dream was to own a small inn
somewhere like the Outer Banks or Florida Keys and run a fishing guide/charter
service through it.
What's one thing that most people don't know about you?
A few years ago, my
wife gave me a 1 gallon make your own beer kit and I have really gotten into
it. At first, I followed prescribed recipes closely, but now I am experimenting
more. My best attempt was an orange-infused summer ale while my most creative
was a charred, bourbon-infused apple-wood IPA. I didn’t plan to char the wood, but it proved very interesting.
Maybe I could pursue a job in the craft beer industry if fishing didn’t work
out.
What's a current trend or future issue you're passionate about
right now? And, why?
Given my involvement
in getting the waitlist on the NACAC National Assembly agenda, many would think
that I would discuss the growth and use of waitlists. But, I think waitlist and
other ethically grey areas are a symptom of a bigger concern. The real issue is
that there is a lot of pressure on admission offices and counselors and this pressure
is growing. Therefore, I am passionate that we remember that we are working for
and with individuals who are growing. I believe the college search and
selection process is part of that development. If we remember that, then we
will be able to meet NACAC’s (and therefore PCACAC’s) mission to “advocate and
support ethical and professional practice in helping students transition to
postsecondary education. NACAC promotes high professional standards and social
responsibility through collaboration, knowledge and education.”
*** To Celebrate Potomac Chesapeake's 50th Conference Anniversary, we're highlighting some of our current members. Each week until the conference at The Homestead in Spring 2015, a new member will be posted. Interested in participating? Email Aundra Weissert at aweissert2@washcoll.edu to get started.***
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