Are you looking for a chance to show off your leadership skills? Do you consider yourself a responsible person? Do you want to get paid by living on college? Well then you might want to consider becoming a resident advisor.
Being a residence advisor (RA) is a lot of hard work, but in the end is well worth it. The main role of a RA is taking care of a select amount of residents that typically reside on your floor, tower, or house. An RA always has to be ready to help out these residents, being knowledgeable of different outlets that they can recommend these residents to go to. Along with being a helpful hand, they have to try to get the residents involved on the campus. Whether it is through academics, extracurricular, athletics, or whatever else your school may have to offer. RAs look out for their residents, wanting them to make the most out of their college experience. A popular activity that RAs have to complete with their residents is called programs. These are usually monthly events that allow for the residents to come together, and have fun doing activities that typically have a lesson behind them. They also perform duty, in which they are expected to make sure the residential area is secure and everyone is safe and following the rules. And lastly, they make everyone feel at home.
All these responsibilities can seem like a lot, but the rewards are worth it. First off, you have the potential to make lifelong friends with your residents and staff as you become closer to them, learning all about them. Being a RA is also a great resume builder due to the fact that this shows you have outstanding leadership skills to the point where you are able to take care of so many residents while still doing everything else that you need to do. You also get paid in some way. At Merrimack College, a RA gets a $3,000 scholarship with a $5,000 stipend. Other benefits that occur at Merrimack College for RAs are free parking and opportunity for a single room. These benefits, and more, could be offered at your school too so stop by your residence life office if being a resident advisor interests you!
And for all you interested in becoming a Merrimack College Residence Advisor, the applications come out on November 24th so keep your eyes peeled for them!