You may hear the word “Ambassador” thrown around at your school. At many schools, including my own, this is our title as a tour guide. You will often see them wearing khakis, walking either backwards or forwards surrounded by a group of people, and you may also hear them yelling in your dining hall about everything the meal plan offers. But no matter what, being a tour guide has changed not only my life, but many tour guides in many different universities!
1. You get out of your shell
Being a tour guide has definitely helped my public speaking skills. Standing up in front of a crowd, knowing they are listening to my every word, is nerve wracking. This has become second nature since becoming an Admissions Ambassador. I have learned to not only speak in front of groups between ten and forty people, but also to love doing it! I have become more personable and approachable since giving tours, and I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.
2. The admissions process becomes second nature to you
Juniors and seniors in high school must look like a deer in headlights when they think about the admissions process. Working in that office, the tour guides have memorized almost all the requirements to get into their school. From SAT scores, GPAs, and essays required, tour guides are ready for almost any questions about how to get into school!
3. You get to know all the majors at the school, not just your own!
The students who come in for tours are not always going to have the same major as you: that’s okay! I have learned so much about nursing, business, theatre, and so many of the other majors at my school. We also get the opportunity to meet faculty members in those departments, making sure our knowledge is well-rounded!
4. You answer some pretty difficult questions (and deal with parents all the time)
Every tour guide has had those difficult questions we have had to answer. Ranging from irrelevant to inappropriate, we learn how to deal with the questions many students would not want to answer. We also deal with parents…a lot. We know they want what is best for their child, but we have had to deal with many…interesting families. But it makes our experience as students and tour guides all the more intriguing.
5. You get your steps in (so much walking!)
Between tours and weekend events, we do a lot of walking. Exercise is a foreign concept to me, but being a tour guide has provided me with so much walking around campuses. For those who love Fitbits and tracking their steps, being a tour guide is the perfect job for you!
6. You’re more inclined to join other groups and clubs!
Many tour guides are also in many other groups and clubs. Other on-campus jobs, honor societies, Greek life, and other organizations, we always have knowledge on what is going on on-campus! Tour guides are one of the most involved people at college, and this job inspires us to get even more involved!
7. The weekend events are long and draining, but SO WORTH IT
I have never been more tired than I was after completing an Open House and Accepted Students Day. You deal with over a thousand people, hundreds of questions, and all while giving tours to fifty people at a time. These events start early and last the majority of the day, making it an extremely draining day. But seeing the prospective students find where they belong as well as how excited your coworkers get after a successful weekend event makes all the walking and talking so worth it.
8. Your coworkers become your family
Working in admissions has brought me closer to the admissions counselors, the other tour guides, and the staff who work behind-the-scenes at the Open Houses and weekend events. We all have different backgrounds, majors, and ways of life. Loving the school you attend makes working in admissions all the more worthwhile, so meeting other people who love this school as much as you make the experience even better.
9. You get more knowledge of the school
Being a tour guide gives you the opportunity to learn so much about the college you go to. You’re required to know a lot of statistics and what the residence halls have to offer, but the knowledge you gain from other tour guides is what really helps others make the decision to come to your school. Many parents like to know what the curriculum and residence halls are like, but the students like to know about our lives as students. You learn about different groups and clubs as well as all the different opportunities the school offers. Getting this knowledge makes your experience as a student so much more impactful.
10. The satisfaction you feel after a student tells you they’re applying because of you
One of the most amazing things about my job is knowing that a student will attend a school because of you. There is nothing more satisfying than a family telling you they loved your tour. The smile on their faces, as well as the excitement in their eyes makes you realize why you got this job.
Being a tour guide has completely impacted my experience as an undergraduate student. The opportunities, friends, and leadership skills I have attained are aspects of my life that will stick with me for a long time.
