What is the best way to learn how to plan events, manage crises, and work with a team of professionals? To my surprise, I gained this knowledge and more right here on UC’s campus through the Resident Advisor (RA) position. Entering this role fall semester of my second-year, I certainly could not have predicted the personal growth I was about to experience. The INT 1000 professional development course aided me in reflecting on the transferable skills that I gained through the position.

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My first week as an RA in training, I immediately felt myself being pushed out of my comfort zone as I met my nineteen coworkers and supervisor in the Stratford Heights residence hall community. Although I am an extrovert, establishing new relationships in new and unknown situations remains a challenge. I developed interpersonal skills by going out of my way to connect with my fellow RA’s. Throughout the year, I gained a community of bright, passionate, driven, and goofy colleagues and friends. By bonding with my RA colleagues, I learned valuable lessons in working with a diverse group of professionals. 

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The role of an RA is to enrich the lives of residents through community building. I learned the art of event planning when I organized my first community engagement event for my residents. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted me from planning in person events for my residents, so I planned a virtual Netflix movie night where my residents could tune in, socially distanced, from their rooms. Through planning events such as these for my residents, I learned the importance of creatively adapting to situations despite restrictions and prioritizing the feedback of participants, both lessons I hope to bring to future co-ops and careers as I work with clients and colleagues.

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Perhaps one of the most crucial duties I fulfilled as an RA was managing resident crises. Whether it was mediating a roommate conflict or responding to a mental health emergency, I learned to remain calm and neutral during high pressure situations. I know that in any future career, I will be equipped to tackle whatever duties are thrown my way with a level head after one semester handling resident incidents. Overall, the RA position granted me invaluable transferable skills that I hope to bring to my future professional experiences.