This phenomenological study aimed to better understand how new student affairs professionals perceived their sense of self-efficacy and how it impacted their career satisfaction, especially during the COVID-19 global pandemic. This study examined the lived experiences of new student affairs professionals. Data were collected through a series of journal reflections and in-depth interviews from 12 participants. Data analysis revealed three distinct themes: (1) influences on self-efficacy; (2) importance of career satisfaction; and (3) COVID-19's impact on new student affairs professionals. These findings indicated of Bandura's (1986) four foundations of self-efficacy, the most prevalent for the study participants were mastery experiences and physiological state in determining their self-efficacy beliefs. Additionally, self-efficacy was not a large determinant of career satisfaction, whereas workplace culture and relationships played a role. Finally, the COVID-19 global pandemic had an initial negative effect on career satisfaction; however, most participants reported higher career satisfaction following the decline of pandemic-related job restrictions. Participants were varied on whether their self-efficacy beliefs were impacted by the COVID-19 global pandemic, but many believed the pandemic was a challenge that increased their self-efficacy. The information gleaned from this study can inform student affairs practitioner graduate preparation programs and equip supervisors and institutions with needed information on new student affairs professionals career satisfaction, self-efficacy, and crisis needs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]