I always enjoy your company

Every so often, I sit in my room at school and think. Sometimes for ten minutes, sometimes for an hour and ten minutes. I think about the assignments I have due for the week, what residence life duties I need to complete, and if I'll get into my first choice of graduate schools.

I wonder how different my life would be if I wasn't a Community Assistant. And then I realize how strange that concept seems. During the past three semesters of college, this job has been a huge part of who I am and who I'm becoming. If I didn't have this job, I would never have had the confidence to apply (and accept) a summer internship last year. I wouldn't have met people who have changed my life.

Sure, there are times where it all seems overwhelming and that five classes, six office hours, one night on-call, six-ten hours of work study, meetings, and more every week seems like insanity... But then there are those moments that I realize how truly happy I am in this job, in this field.

I experienced so many things my first year as a CA (2010-2011) that I often questioned reapplying. I had 44 residents, and it was difficult to main semblance of a community (not only was I still in the stages of being the somewhat clueless staff member, I lived on the first floor, so my residents were split).

However, I did wind up reapplying, and this year, I have 71 residents. Despite this stark increase, I wouldn't change it for the world. My residents are some of the funniest, most caring people I know. I keep my door open more and they stop in and say hi, they love the bulletin boards I make (which is one of my favorite parts of the job), and seem to really appreciate what I do.

Two nights ago, on Thursday, I was doing my final round through the building. I noticed a resident sitting by themselves in one of the lounges. I stopped and sat down, asking if they were okay. The resident opened up to me about an issue that they'd experienced the previous semester, talked about classes, and was just happy to have someone to talk to.

As we said good-bye nearly forty minutes later, they said something that made me realize why I love this job:

I always enjoy your company.

That single statement made my entire night, and helped me to realize it really is the little things that I do as a CA that helps my residents so much. I love helping them realize their potential, to see them achieve their goals, and grow as students and people.

Welcome!

Welcome! My name is Cary, and this blog is going to be about my career goal of working in Student Affairs, and the stepping stones on the way to get there. I'm currently a Community Assistant (more commonly referred to as a Resident Assistant) at a small town college, and am researching graduate school opportunities within the field of Student Affairs.  Currently, my goal is to obtain a Master's degree in Student Affairs.  Following that, I would like to work as a Residence Hall Director for some time, and then work in either career counseling on the higher education level or work in college admissions.

Being a CA has taught me so much about people, myself, and how much I truly love the entire college experience and atmosphere.  In talking to various professors, a statement from one always comes to mind from a conversation we had.  I was explaining what my goals were to her, and she replied with a grin, "From the sounds of it, you just never want to leave college.  I wouldn't know anything about that."  She's absolutely right, too.

I've looked at different graduate programs at a variety of different schools and even looked on websites for potential jobs that don't require an advanced degree (and perhaps could give me tuition assistance in order to get a higher degree).  The program that appeals to me most right now is 13 hours away.  I've lived in the same area for my entire life, and this would not only allow me to see more of the world, but also kick me out of my comfort zone, which, admittedly, I love.  The school is also about the same size as the one I attend now, which is perfect.  I would be terrified to go to a school that's a lot bigger because I love the small town feel.

I can't walk to class without knowing at least three people on my way.  I love that my professors, fellow students, campus security officers, and even the university president know me on a first name basis. I want to be a name, not a number.

So, in close, I'm hoping this blog will be somewhere I can write about my successes, figure out how I can improve, share thoughts and ideas, and gain some knowledge along the way.