Recently, I have been applying to on-campus jobs to find a new one for the next academic year. This year, I was an Academic Peer Mentor, and this summer, I am going to be an Orientation Leader for the second year in a row.
It is obvious from my past and current job choices that I have developed a passion for assisting and investing in the student experience. I uncovered this affinity for advocating for the student experience when I came to the UC Davis campus for the first time during the First-Year Orientation Program. The feeling I received from this speedy, two-day program was anxiety, and a little bit of excitement, for the unknown. I did not know if I was ready for college because I had people in my life subtly insinuate that I was not ready in their eyes. But I knew that I could be ready if I wanted to be. After attending orientation, I knew that I wanted to be as wise about all college affairs as I perceived my Orientation Leader (OL) to be.
The job as an OL was the first non-volunteer position I ever held. This role led me to receive another position in Student Housing as an Academic Peer Mentor, where I helped incoming students navigate their first year. I was assigned a group of students based on interest and major. From there, I, along with the other Peer Mentor staff, designed calendars to allow for one-on-one meetings with students. We also created resources for them to use in order to help navigate the campus as well as putting on events. However, I have decided not to participate as a Peer Mentor for the next academic school year. As I browsed Aggie Job Link (now Handshake), I became interested in applying to be a Campus Ambassador Tour Guide. I had been wanting to become a tour guide since I was a first-year student in the residence halls, and I was excited that this was my chance.
I was incredibly happy to find out that I was selected to participate in their second round of interviews. Unfortunately, my dreams were short-lived when I was notified that I was not offered a position on their team, and quite honestly, I was sadder than I expected to be.
It was my first rejection since coming to UC Davis, and I did not know how to handle it at first. I was bummed, which I know is understandable, but after a few days of scouring my mind trying to pinpoint exactly where I went wrong, I found that the tactic I thought was “reflection” was really just me obsessing over the fact that I was not offered a position. I wondered what it said about me as a womxn, student, and worker if I did not get the job; but no, that is not the case. Yes, I am sure there are things I could have done better – there always are. I didn’t get the job, but I learned that there must be something else that I will have the opportunity to be a part of. I am now coming to terms with the fact that this will probably not be the only time I am not offered a position, and that I should be hopeful that one day something different comes along.