The Perks of Being an RA (It’s More Than Just a Single)

 
Though the interest meetings have come and gone, becoming a Residence Assistant on Purchase campus is a year round commitment.  Those that passed the initial requirements are currently in the throws of completing their online applications and essays in hopes of entering a new stage of their campus community involvement next semester. 
 
There are many people involved in the selection process of new RAs, including the Residence Coordinators, the almost 80 current RA and CAs, and the Assistant Directors of Residence Life, like Angela Kang.
 
Kang says the benefits of being an RA on a college campus are numerous and extremely applicable in the real world.

 
Public Speaking Skills
“You develop public speaking skills, even at things like hall meetings,” says Kang, who notes that any these skills can transfer to the classroom and even to a job opportunity.  “You learn time management, prioritization, mediation skills, crisis management, mentoring capabilities, and how to become a team player.”  All of these skills are transferable into everyday needs for many job positions.
 
A Future Career?
From Purchase alone, there are 10 or more students in the past four years who have gone on to pursue a career in the field of Residence Assistance.  Kang is a product of this process, having been an RA at the University of Connecticut herself. 
 
How It Works
Kang runs through the three-step selection process, which can also be found online on the selection process Web site.
 
Applying students must attend one three general interest meetings, this years have just past last week, where they will discover their options within the position, eligibility requirements, what the application process will be and have any of their questions answered.  Students can only obtain the online application after having submitted their information at one of these meetings.
 
Following the meetings, student data is collected to ensure eligibility and then applications are emailed to the potentials.  They have about 12 days to complete the questions and essays, which are scored by the current residence life staff.  On a curved scoring system, students are notified if and when they will have personalized interviews with staff members.
 
The interview process involves one group session and one individual session on the same day, where interviewers looks for the traits that signal a good potential candidate.
 
Ace the Interview
“A fun personality and creative thinking,” is what Kang says are really important.  They need to be able to be the balance between their residence and the Res Life office, a familiar and comfortable go between.
 
Kang says that being well put together isn’t the most important trait, because if there are things a person doesn’t know, they can always be trained for their position. 
 
“An upbeat personality is key,” Kang notes.  Your past and present RAs are the perfect people to ask for tips and advice, because if you’re interested in the job, they will end up being your mentors. 
 
The Perks
Although the financial stipend ($425 a semester) and room waiver are a big plus, Kang wants to remind people that students do a lot of work to earn those benefits. 
 
“You become a professional,” she says.  And who knows, your professional college position may one day become your life’s profession.