Continuing our series on how student worker jobs can help kickstart your career, today I’m featuring this great guest post from Michelle who started out in her campus residential life office and found out that smelly roommates aren’t so bad (as long as they weren’t hers)! Michelle blogs at Fit is the New Poor where she writes about getting on the right track to financial freedom by slimming her debt and working out her assets. You can follow her on twitter @fitisthenewpoor.
From Student Activities to Graduate Admissions Advisor
Writing this post, I’m giggling. Not because the subject is anything funny, but because right now, I’m on my lunch break while my own student worker (Dave) is in the other room filing paperwork for my office. As his supervisor, I see so much potential in him- he’s hardworking, dedicated, and a quick learner.
Working with him brings me back to my own days as a college student worker. I wasn’t always like Dave. My first job, as a secretary in the Office of Residence Life, was, at first, a rude awakening- one I didn’t really appreciate. If you have ever lived or worked in student housing, you probably can see where this is going. It’s, in my humble and experienced opinion, that the worst office to work for on a college campus is anything related to student housing! Between rowdy and rebellious RAs (resident assistants), student drinking/drugs disciplinarian committees, and angry parents looking to track down their MIA adult children… you have a major recipe for disaster!
But for some reason, listening to students complain about their roommate’s smells or sleeping patterns invigorated me. As time passed and I proved to be a pretty patient and eager listener, and my department promoted me from secretary to “student liaison” (a totally made up title they gave me, along with a 20 cent raise). My job was to answer phone calls from either current or prospective students and guide them through the residence life channels. I would provide solutions to issues with neighbors blasting music at 3am, students not being able to find roommates by the deadline, or prospective applicants making the big decision on which dorm room they should apply to. Eventually, I became involved with the RA selection process, roommate matching, and dorm room lotteries. I LOVED IT.
Working in that office taught me about my hidden talents- making connections with students. That stinky roommate? I befriended them (and recommended a shampoo). That parent who was freaking out because their kid didn’t call them back after their ninth call in one hour? I talked them down off their ledge. And that prospective student eager to pick a dorm room… well, I usually sold them whatever was available. No matter what the problem was, I figured out how to fix it. It could take me days or weeks, but I tried to make every issue matter and every solution be a final one. It’s a motto I still use today.
After two years, I moved on to the student activities offices. Quite frankly, it was a step down except for the fact that I got to watch TV, play pool, and pig out at the diner across from my office. Despite that, I still assisted students registering for classes or finding the right building for their evening class. Being in student activities also allowed me to talk to prospective students. It was there that I discovered that I was really, really, really good at selling schools.
Upon graduating, I worked as a teacher for several years, but then I moved on to where I am now- a major university. I work as an admissions and academic advisor for a graduate program. On the side, I also provide undergraduate and graduate college (as well as private elementary and high school) advising. While it certainly wasn’t my plan to end up back in a university setting, I have totally found my niche!
I still get to listen to students complain (now, more on classes being scheduled during music festivals, not being able to get in to an elective, or prospective students grasping to understand where to send paperwork to), and I oddly still get a kick out of listening to and solving their problems- big or small. I’m sure I’ll still be in my last year before retirement and cracking up over students complaining about their roommate’s stinky side of the bedroom!
I’m also featuring a great giveaway from Brian over at Debt Discipline that starts today and lasts for the next two weeks. So check out his blog (and all the other awesome co-hosts) and enter to win a copy of Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover or Thomas J. Stanley’s The Millionaire Next Door!
This was fun to read! I always thought it would have been exciting to work in the res life office at my school. I see it was an adventure for you!
Emily @ Words I Wheel By recently posted…5 Ways to Stay Motivated as a Telecommuter
If you have a lot of patience and you don’t mind dealing with the drama that are college kids living together, it could be a BLAST! But on the other hand, besides the financial aid offices, it’s the one with the most flack! I prefer to work with admissions and advising! Much easier that way!
Michelle @fitisthenewpoor recently posted…The Money Maker: Survey Taking
Great post. I’m sure you could write a book with the stories you could share!
Brian recently posted…Week End Round Up # 15
Ha! I should think about that. I’ve got some crazy ones!
Michelle @fitisthenewpoor recently posted…The Money Maker: Survey Taking
I don’t think I could handle it. I have such limited patience, especially when people ask me stupid questions 😉
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…Shake Your Money Maker: Taking Action
There are days where I hit a wall- especially with questions about our application process. It’s laid out pretty clearly on our website so when I get frustrated, I sometimes answer back (politely) with a link. But it’s frustrating!
Michelle @fitisthenewpoor recently posted…The Money Maker: Survey Taking