Want to be an RA? In the first installment of the RAngels series, Woodland RA Shannon Ward gives the scoop on what it takes to get the job (and rock at it)!
Don’t forget: applications are due Tuesday, January 22 by 5:00pm.
Why did you apply to be an RA?
I decided in my first year that I wanted to be an RA because there were lots of things around me that I thought could be improved. Though RAs don’t have the same level of authority as professional staff, they are very influential individuals on campus and can inspire change. I wanted to be an RA because I thought that I could make a difference for the better, both in the residence halls and in the lives of the students.
What is your favorite part of being an RA?
My favorite part of being an RA is definitely getting to work with my residents and my amazing co-RAs and staff. It is truly an enjoyable experience to help fix problems and I have a great team in case I ever need a hand. Personally, I have been blessed with a very good group in Woodland Hall. My residents are some of the kindest people I know and they are always around to lift my spirits. Just talking to them for a few minutes reminds me of why I wanted to be an RA in the first place.
What is the most challenging part?
The most challenging part of being an RA is definitely the time commitment. On average, I think I get at least four or five knocks on my door a day with questions, requests, or concerns, and it really does add up. There is also a lot of paperwork, especially during times of high activity. Every noise violation, lockout, work order, and laundry dispute needs to be documented and followed up. Last semester, I probably spent at least two to three hours a day working on RA work in some shape or form.
Being an RA means that you are an RA 24/7. On top of schoolwork, a job, a sport, clubs, and a social life, the added commitment of being an RA really can be straining. It takes a special kind of person to be able to juggle it all. You just have to love what you do and really budget your time, because it genuinely is a rewarding experience.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned from the experience?
The most important thing I have learned from being an RA is that there is always more than one way to view a situation. Our culture trains us to take a stance on big issues and form our own unyielding opinions, but RAs are trained for the exact opposite. In order to be impartial and empathetic, it is vital to be open-minded enough to look at the world through someone else’s eyes. It is very easy to go into a conflict and pick a side. Almost always, however, there is not a “right” and a “wrong”—there’s a difference in understanding. Being an RA has taught me to be patient and consider all options before making any hasty judgments.
What is the best piece of advice you have for students considering an RA position?
The best advice I could give to a student considering an RA position is to really take a look and ask yourself why you want to be an RA. If it is for the free housing or job-related perks, then you are making the wrong decision. There are much easier ways to pay off a housing fee. But if you genuinely want to help people and make a difference, then you go for it. If you are pursuing this job for the right reasons, the selection committee will be able to tell and you will be rewarded. Being an RA means caring about those around you and wanting to help them, selflessly. If you truly care, then you will find a way to make the rest work out! Budget your time, be selective with your extracurricular activities, and try to keep schoolwork first! You can do it!
Thank you to Shannon Ward and the Woodland RAs for the photos!