Maybe I'm a little biased, but being a desk assistant is one of the best jobs on campus. You get to work with other students, have an awesome staff, and help make residential life a little more easy for those who live in your building. Also, the extra homework time at the desk when it's not too busy is really helpful too. If you're a Desk Assistant at the University of Dayton, you're bound to know these 9 things to be true:
1. Students all over campus will either hate you or love you for what you do.
Since we are in the closest contact with students on campus, some people will really hate us for being rule enforcers or they will be very grateful. Also, sophomores and up could quite possibly hate our guts for the new AVIATE housing system. It is easy to understand their frustration, but once they are open to understanding the new program, it makes a lot of sense! We are supposed to be advocates.
2. The polo could scare anyone off.
Since people tend to not like us for enforcing the rules, you can flash the Housing and Residence life logo and nobody will bother you as you're walking home at night. On the other hand, it is a very helpful sign for people to recognize if they need help!
3. You will have to answer obvious questions many times with a smile.
If you're a Desk Assistant at Marycrest, like me, you will be asked if the South Desk is the Mail Room. No, it's not, it's right over there. *smile*
4. You will be asked to work at crazy hours of the day.
4 to 8 a.m.? Oh psh, that's nothing. Try 12-8 a.m.
5. Move-In Day can be one of the most stressful times of your entire life.
Be our guest at Marycrest. #Dayton2020 pic.twitter.com/udAjFuX8B8
— University of Dayton (@univofdayton) August 20, 2016
Key codes, key codes, key codes... so important. But, especially in a first-year residence hall, there will be a lot of people asking questions, running around, and feeling generally lost or confused. It's our job to make them feel at home.
6. Your job will really make you think on your toes.
Oh.. you don't have a student ID, drivers license, or passport and I need to check you into a room? *calls RC on duty*
7. There will be people who want you to bend the rules for them.
No, sorry, I will not hold this package for you if it doesn't have a tracking number on it. No, I cannot let you check out the key to your daughter's room. I don't make the rules, I just enforce them.
8. You will have to carefully handle an absurd amount of packages.
Finals week, Valentine's Day, Halloween, you name it: there will be mountains of packages to log and keep track of. It's a skill, really.
9. You're a valuable part of an awesome staff!
To work a job in Housing and Residence Life, it is crucial to be able to balance your time well. Work in this realm can also spill over into your personal life, and it can get overwhelming at times! Being a part of such a big staff on campus ensures that someone will always be there to help when it feels overwhelming. That's what they are there for. Thanks Marycrest! #WhyIHRL
