Living the CA life
Becoming a community assistant is a gratifying and exciting experience, says Tessa Brennan, especially if you’re looking to meet a lot of new people and possibly change their lives.
Brennan — a CA in Boomsburg University’s newest residence hall, Soltz Hall — says one of the most rewarding aspects is helping new students transition from home life to college life.
“As a CA, you have the opportunity to work with friendly people as well as form bonds with students you may not have met otherwise,” says Brennan, a senior art studio major with a focus on graphic web design, also raving about the employees in residence life. “Being a CA is an important and rewarding job, with many benefits.”
Learning how to mediate tough conflicts and comfort someone when they are having a hard time are just a few of the irreplaceable lessons you learn in this job, according to Brennan.
For upperclassman wondering if it’s too late to join the residence life community, Brennan says being a CA as an older student is even better than starting your first year.
“It is easier to enforce policies when you have a little seniority over your residents,” Brennan says. “That way everyone can be safe and happy in their residence halls. As an older student you also have more knowledge and experiences than a younger student has and can use those experiences to guide your residents.”
While it can be a time consuming and stressful job, the benefits outweigh the struggles. Some students only do it for a year, while others do it for three.
“In the end I’m really glad I did it,” Brennan says. “I learned a lot about talking to people and being that safe space and safe person for the residents to talk to.”
Applications to be a CA for next year are due Tuesday, Feb. 6 by 4 p.m. Students must have at least a 2.4 GPA, as well as good judicial standing and availability for the full academic year. For details and to apply, visit reslife.bloomu.edu.
— Danielle Backowski, mass communications major
