Prospective RA's get answers to questions
Gathered in the Bovee University Center Rotunda, 95 hopeful students heard first hand from current Residence Life staff about the day-to-day life of an Resident Assistant or Multicultural Advisory during Prospective Staff Night.
Hosted three times over the semester, the educational event is not mandatory for prospective future staff but offers them a chance to learn more about the job description and ask all of their questions.
Students were split into groups for presentations from North, South, East and West campus before returning to the rotunda for a panel led by four Residence Hall Directors. Finally, they were broken into groups once more to be led in small group sessions by current staff facilitators.
"They get all their questions answered about becoming a staff member," said William "Bo" Parker, the residence hall director in Sweeney Hall.
In the first sessions, representatives from each section of campus told students the layout of the residence halls, what the hall communities were like and what each hall is known for before taking questions. Each session had a current staff member volunteering and helping to guide students.
Austin Howard, an RA in Wolt Hall, said he volunteered because he enjoys being involved and helping Residence Life as much as possible.
"I hope they get an understanding of whether they really want to do this," the Tecumseh junior said. "It's a lot of work, and it may not seem like it but hopefully talking to the other RA's they can understand and try to figure out what they want to do."
During the panel session, students asked the RHD's questions about emergency situations, time management, additional jobs or clubs and job benefits. During the final small group sessions, one popular topic of conversation was the interview process itself.
Parker said while the number of available spots for Residence Life staff fluctuates greatly each year, the university as a whole generally hires anywhere between 25 and 35 applicants. Making a good impression, and being a good RA, comes down to what an applicant knows about him or herself, Parker said.
"Be authentic. Essentially with this interview process we're looking for individuals who know a little bit about who they are," Parker said. "Be the best version of your self, particularly because we're looking to assemble a team, and we don't know that unless people are being real with us."
Jessica Brockert, a sophomore from Macomb County, said she attended Prospective Staff Night after talking with several RA's and becoming interested in the job.
"I live with really great RA's and I see how well they do, and I kind of want to be able to give that back to residents I could potentially have," she said.
There were 76 students at the first event held in October, and the next Prospective Staff Night will take place from 7 - 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the UC Rotunda.
