After I had my son I realized that I didn’t want to put him in daycare full time so I decided to find a way I could work from home while caring for him. Because of my role programming I was able to become a very efficient event planner. I have managed events with thousands of people and that gave me the confidence to open my own event planning business. I also taught myself some graphic design skills in my previous high-ed roles which I use in my Etsy business. I learned so much being an RA, a Grad Assistant, and in my Professional role that allowed me to become the professional I am now and I am so grateful for the opportunities they provided me. While I didn't stay in Higher Ed, I use what I learned there every day! All those conflict management skills really help when your working with a toddler!
My name is Michelle Bennett I am a work from home mom, I run my own event planning business, blog, and Etsy shop at Easy Event Ideas. While I was at university in Canada, I was a Residence Fellow and the Director of Programming and Marketing for the Residence Association. After University I moved back down to the States to get a masters degree in Higher Education Administration. There I switched over to working with student programming and after I graduated, I became the Assistant Director for Programming at a large university.
After I had my son I realized that I didn’t want to put him in daycare full time so I decided to find a way I could work from home while caring for him. Because of my role programming I was able to become a very efficient event planner. I have managed events with thousands of people and that gave me the confidence to open my own event planning business. I also taught myself some graphic design skills in my previous high-ed roles which I use in my Etsy business. I learned so much being an RA, a Grad Assistant, and in my Professional role that allowed me to become the professional I am now and I am so grateful for the opportunities they provided me. While I didn't stay in Higher Ed, I use what I learned there every day! All those conflict management skills really help when your working with a toddler!
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My name is Paul Brown and I currently serve as the Director of Curriculum, Training, and Research at the residential education software company, Roompact. During my time in college, I served as a Resident Assistant and as an RHA president (in addition to a number of different student leader roles on campus). After graduation from college I went on to get a Masters degree in College Student Development and worked in residence life and academic advising for a number of years before making the switch to working for a private company that focuses on software development for residence life. I took away a number of different competencies and skills from my time as an RA that helped me get to where I am today. Being an RA taught me to be more confident in situations, particularly crisis situations, where you need to make quick decisions while remaining calm. Being an RA also helped me with skills I’ve used as a supervisor and teammate—including listening, counseling, and collaboration. In many ways, the RA position and how it stretched me in so many ways helped lay a solid foundation fro me as a professional. For current RAs, I would suggest focusing on your duties and enhancing your skills. Reflect on your work. How are you doing? How can you improve? Are there best practices you can follow? Engaging in these skills early on will enhance your employability later. |
Lead On!Every month "Lead On!" features professionals in various fields who were student leaders in college and discuss how their experiences have helped them become the professionals they are today. Archives
April 2018
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