While many studies have examined work-life satisfaction within the field of student affairs, few have examined the dissonance between new professionals' expectations for professional practice and their experience in the first few years. Using a narrative inquiry method, this qualitative study investigated how professionalism is both practiced and challenged by new professionals in student affairs. Through individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 25 new professionals who graduated from the same student affairs preparation program, the authors learned about their expectations and desires for professional practice. The findings suggest that new professionals desire a new construct of professionalism that centers well-being for both the self and the collective. Their action-oriented approach to centering well-being involves practicing authenticity with self and others and engaging in acts of self-preservation, specifically setting boundaries and prioritizing mental health. The results of this study may further inform policy and practices in student affairs related to onboarding, supervision, and workplace culture, which may increase overall job satisfaction, decrease attrition among new professionals, and reframe ideas of professionalism in student affairs. Supervisors and divisional leaders within student affairs should seek to create environments where authenticity is welcomed and where acts of self-preservation are encouraged and supported, centering the professional within professionalism.