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[tytoalba]

First of all, this is my first post, so hello!

I am graduating this summer with a Master of Library Science degree. I have a BA in linguistics and sociology. For my last year of undergrad and first year of grad school, I worked as a Resident Assistant and absolutely loved it. By the end of my second year I knew that I wanted to work in residence life professionally, although by then I was halfway through my library degree and decided to complete it. I have also supervised and proctored standardized tests, worked as a receptionist in an academic advising office, and volunteered in student government during my first two years of undergrad. So clearly I'm kind of all over the place, and I am trying to establish the beginning of a defined career path.

To give a little bit more context, my last year as an RA was a challenge due to some personal issues and a disability, so while I still have confidence in my leadership skills and learned a lot from that year, said confidence did take a few hits. I didn't do badly that year, in fact I was still a very good RA, it was just challenging.

Anyway, my main question is this: Do I have a fighting chance at landing a residence director/hall director type of position? If not, what other areas of student affairs might I want to look at?

I am also considering going the library route, having the degree and all, but what I really love is student life, res life, that kind of thing.

[cj405]

Many schools offer a ~12 credit certificate of graduate studies in student affairs.  Look into this.  A lot of departments, especially residential life, are really going to look for this credential.  Nearly all of the entry level professionals in res. life who I know have master's degrees in student affairs. 

I think the degree that you have plus a CGS would help your chances a lot.

I work in academic support services and one of my colleagues has an MLS.  So, advising, TRiO (our TRiO program actually runs a small library for their students), learning support, etc. might be good departments to look into if this type of work is at all interesting to you.

[dale1]

@tytoalba:

The market is probably tight now for hall directors, and many of them are graduate students pursuing their MS/MA degrees in counseling/college student personnel, or student affairs/higher ed.  If you were a new BA/BS graduate, I would suggest going to the Oshkosh Placement Exchange (OPE) in March in Wisconsin.  You probably don't want to wait that long.  People with MS degrees are highly valuable there, as not all positions require just a BA/BS, and many live-in positions require a graduate degree. 

I think your experience is OK, but you need to be able to talk about this clearly and package it in a way that supports your goals, of course.  I would say there are many institutions with residential library systems where your experience could be useful, and I know of one offhand - Indiana University. 

[cj405]

I think your experience is OK, but you need to be able to talk about this clearly and package it in a way that supports your goals, of course.   

I agree.  I realize my earlier reply made it seem like I thought you needed to get those additional classes before applying, and I don't.  Many people in student affairs take very windy roads in their professional careers. 

What I would do before interviewing is read a book or two about student development theory for college students.  Some places really focus on these theories and may even have some information about this on their websites (if the school has a master's program in student affairs, look there).  Some books are better than others, but it shouldn't take you too long to get the basic idea.

[dale1]

@cj406:

Three words: Challenge and support.

In that order.

Works for everyone, including any minority group.

Original Poster:

Look forward to a recap of what you'll be doing.  I doubt there are more than a relative handful of institutions with residential library systems, but I have been wrong before.  Put it this way - guarantee you there are more without than with.

The other thing you'll need is mobility.  If you cannot move out of state or across the country, then OPE is not for you.

[cj405]

@cj406:

Three words: Challenge and support.

In that order.

Sure.  But I'd suggest a little more preparation than that before going into an interview. 

At my last school, they asked student development questions for all sorts of student affairs jobs, even student activities.  Challenge and support wouldn't have cut it without something more specific.  For example, how to challenge and support students as they develop moral and ethical decision making. 

[dale1]

cj405:

Perhaps I wasn't clear - my intention was not to say that's the end of the story, but a starting point with student development theories.  Even in your own example, challenge and support are key.  Once you have that framework the details can be sorted. 

If I were to answer the question you pose, I would say that in interactions with students we need to confront the issues as they appear in practice, with examples and scenarios that fit their lives.  So it's a moral/ethical decision to either commit academic misconduct or not, etc. 

In any case, it sounds like our OP is well on their way.  I certainly advocate getting a sense of the literature but I also recommend working with others who have similar jobs in informational interviews, in order to get a stronger feel for what happens day-to-day. 

[uaidealist]

tytoalba,

This is also my first post! I was delighted to see the first topic, in the first forum chosen, to be about residence life.

In my experience with residence life, as long as you're in a field that can be related to higher education, show passion for residence education, and have some kind of relatable experience, then you're a qualified applicant. Especially if you're dealing with small colleges or private institutions.

Most of the public universities have moved toward wanting applicants to have obtained a Masters in Higher Education. You still have a Masters, granted in a different area. However I think this is still something very doable and flexible since you've achieved the level of education they prefer, just simply with a diferent focus. I think this conversation (and outcome) would be very different if you only had a bachelors.

I personally feel like you're a good candidate. Since your education may not scream your interest in higher ed and residence life, just make sure that you express that on your own in your interviews, applications, and letters of inquiry.

Best,
Silas

[brixton]

Have you looked at all for library jobs?  A cv would look a little squirrel-y to me to have you in one pre-professional program while looking over the wall at another, fairly different field.  I am particularly puzzled to the reference to your foibles as an RA.  Make sure you're not constructing a grass-is-greener scenario for yourself--especially in the res life field.  It's a tough job.  Great for some people.  But I'd probably be more apt to hire someone who has shown a more consistent interest in students co-curricular life or academic advising, or counseling, rather than lib science just because that seems fairly remote (alas!) from res life issues.

[higheredguy]

Research all of residential campuses in the country. Start calling them. You will know pretty quickly about what is required of you and if the current trend lends to openings.

[chronanon]

Research all of residential campuses in the country. Start calling them. You will know pretty quickly about what is required of you and if the current trend lends to openings.

I don't understand what you are suggesting to OP.  Call the literally thousands of colleges in the U.S. that have dormitories?  Call who exactly?   If the Res Life Directors, then just call two or three and set up information interviews. 

[higheredguy]

Research all of residential campuses in the country. Start calling them. You will know pretty quickly about what is required of you and if the current trend lends to openings.

I don't understand what you are suggesting to OP.  Call the literally thousands of colleges in the U.S. that have dormitories?  Call who exactly?   If the Res Life Directors, then just call two or three and set up information interviews. 

There is a difference between a residential campus and those that offer housing. However, it does appear that few, if any calls, have been made to universities. A residential campus will have better options and a lot of the time they pay residence life coordinators more because they want to keep them as long as possible. You would need to call the person in-charge of hiring the RLC's. I would suggest the Dean/Director of Student Life would be a good place to start. I hope this clears up the confusion.

[brixton]

Hmmm.  I've only worked at slac's and I think Universities pay better.  I don't think residential colleges necessarily want to keep res life coordinators around as long as possible.  The typical time they're in track is 2-3 years.  I think, OP, you might do better asking a different forum than this.  There are several forums that are directed specifically towards SA issues.  A few are listed here:

 http://studentaffairs.com/lists/studentaffairs.html

[higheredguy]

Hmmm.  I've only worked at slac's and I think Universities pay better.  I don't think residential colleges necessarily want to keep res life coordinators around as long as possible.  The typical time they're in track is 2-3 years.  I think, OP, you might do better asking a different forum than this.  There are several forums that are directed specifically towards SA issues.  A few are listed here:

 http://studentaffairs.com/lists/studentaffairs.html

I work at a residential campus. We hire people for the long haul. Why would you want to hire someone and then have to go through the process of interviewing/hiring someone else in two years? That seems a bit silly.

[brixton]

Because entry level res life positions  involve night call and living in the halls.  People can really only do that for 2-3 years before it starts to get old.  At a small residential college, to be promoted up from that position, you need a Director to retire or leave, which happens a lot less often in small residential colleges for a variety of reasons.  For that reason, entry level res life positions are places where you gain experience.  At bigger schools, there might be more places for you to advance.  At small residential colleges, not so much.