My name is Brandon Brown and I currently live in Birmingham Alabama serving as a Residence Life Coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While in undergrad at Middle Tennessee State University, I was very involved on campus. My two favorite positions were Resident Assistant of Housing and Residential Life and Philanthropic Coordinator with the Student Government Association.
Both positions allowed for me to connect with others on campus, learn about my values and passion areas, and grow personally and professionally. The Student Government Association made me think critically and outside of the box to bring attention to area on campus that needed improvement or re-direction. This allowed for me to grow my confidence in standing up for what I believed in and pushed those who could make the changes realize that although things have been done the same way for years, does not mean they should continue being done in that way. Being a resident assistant has helped make me who I am today. My love for working with college students, specifically freshmen students, grew as I was RA. I loved every minute of being an RA. While it was a hard job, each day something made me realize how rewarding it was. There are a lot of long nights and early mornings as an RA, but you never know who you can touch or inspire. This is what kept me going each day. My freshmen residents were wild, and needed a lot of guidance and support, but I would not have had it any other way. After my second year of being an RA and one year of being a Resident Director, I knew that I wanted to go into Student Affairs. My time spent in housing at MTSU has led me to pursue a career in housing and residence life.
Advice for those inspiring to get involved on campus while in undergrad – do it! I did not go to school to work in residence life for the rest of my life, however, because I got involved on campus, I found my passion and purpose. College can be the best years of your life, so do not spend it only in your room or in the classroom. Be open to change – you will change, your friends will change, and your life will change – while you are in college. College allows you to become who you are and who you want to be for life, so if you remain open to change and developing as a person, you will become your best you! When you fail – because it will happen – make sure you get back up and keep going. Failing is inevitable, so when it comes and knock you down, get back up and try again. Do not let your failures keep you down. Developing a level of GRIT will allow you to conquer anything.
Both positions allowed for me to connect with others on campus, learn about my values and passion areas, and grow personally and professionally. The Student Government Association made me think critically and outside of the box to bring attention to area on campus that needed improvement or re-direction. This allowed for me to grow my confidence in standing up for what I believed in and pushed those who could make the changes realize that although things have been done the same way for years, does not mean they should continue being done in that way. Being a resident assistant has helped make me who I am today. My love for working with college students, specifically freshmen students, grew as I was RA. I loved every minute of being an RA. While it was a hard job, each day something made me realize how rewarding it was. There are a lot of long nights and early mornings as an RA, but you never know who you can touch or inspire. This is what kept me going each day. My freshmen residents were wild, and needed a lot of guidance and support, but I would not have had it any other way. After my second year of being an RA and one year of being a Resident Director, I knew that I wanted to go into Student Affairs. My time spent in housing at MTSU has led me to pursue a career in housing and residence life.
Advice for those inspiring to get involved on campus while in undergrad – do it! I did not go to school to work in residence life for the rest of my life, however, because I got involved on campus, I found my passion and purpose. College can be the best years of your life, so do not spend it only in your room or in the classroom. Be open to change – you will change, your friends will change, and your life will change – while you are in college. College allows you to become who you are and who you want to be for life, so if you remain open to change and developing as a person, you will become your best you! When you fail – because it will happen – make sure you get back up and keep going. Failing is inevitable, so when it comes and knock you down, get back up and try again. Do not let your failures keep you down. Developing a level of GRIT will allow you to conquer anything.
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