How to become an RA — and why you should

Every Ohio State student on who lives campus has an RA.

RA

These people ARE really awesome, but RA also stands for Resident Advisor.

Exactly one year ago I had never considered being an RA. After two years of living in a residence hall, I was going to move off campus with my friends and leave dorm life behind. But as I started to think about the effect I could have on potential residents, even in the smallest way, I knew that being an RA could really change my college experience for the better. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made at Ohio State, and I would encourage anyone who is even remotely interested to apply.

So you may be asking, “What does a day in the life look like for an RA?” Well let me tell you.

We bring residents to events around campus.

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We plan programs within the residence hall (or on the Oval in this case).

Capture the Flag on the Oval!

Our complex played Capture the Flag on the Oval during Welcome Week.

We decorate the halls and build community within the residence hall.

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In addition to all this, we do rounds, discuss difficult issues with our residents, and work closely with our Hall Directors, Resident Managers, and other Resident Advisors. It’s a tough job, but it’s also really rewarding.

Now you may be asking, “How do I apply for this Really Amazing position?” Not to fear — there are 3 easy steps!

1. Attend an information session to get a more in-depth debriefing of the position. (There is one on November 13 at 8:30 p.m. in the Steeb basement of Smith-Steeb Hall.)

2. Get references from people who know you well.

3. Write unique essays that explain why you want the job and why you think you would be good at it.

And that’s it! My advice is to really think about why you want the position and how you think you can make a difference in the lives of your residents. You will be trained in every aspect of the job, but for now, if you have a passion for helping others and a good work ethic, this could be the perfect job for you.

The application deadline is November 21 — now go get writing!