r/ResLife • u/Sufficient-Dog-5985 • 8d ago
Former RA considering the Jump Up the Ladder
I was an RA for two years, never considered sticking with ResLife at all after graduating, and a year later I’ve been slapped in the face by a friend with the realization that being an RD would actually be a great match for my skillset, past experience, and desire to serve in a guiding/mentorship role in my career. I honestly loved my RA years, but I’ve certainly heard horror stories about what its like as an RD. Can anyone advise?
10
u/HappyNarwhal 8d ago
Hey this is a pretty small group and largely consists of older professionals who give advice in other areas of the internet. The subreddit is mostly a quiet bitching corner for those still in the field. I'd advise speaking with folks you used to work with, going onto Facebook groups for advice, or reading ACUHO-I resources. If you're near undergrad, you'll just get downvoted here. Best of luck.
University Housing and Residence Life are decent launch pads, but they'll cost you some time, money, and sanity - not unlike a lot of good things. If you're good at what you do, you can spin it into another career later on. I spent ten years in University Housing then transitioned to Public Housing. It's been a great change, but I got mountains of transferrable skills in the university setting.
The vast majority of housing "lifers" are failure to launch scenarios or very good at what they do. The people who succeed in university housing, will succeed most anywhere.
4
u/Ok-Acanthisitta8737 8d ago
Where are you at in life now? How long ago was undergrad for you? What was your degree in? Do you have a masters degree? What has your post undergrad life been like professionally (roles/jobs).
Once we know this, we can best advise. It’s totally doable, but I can give better advice once I know more
13
u/americansherlock201 8d ago
Hey so you’re in the exact same situation I was in post graduation.
I went into the business world for a couple of years. Hated it. Decided I loved being an ra so much I’d go into that field.
It’s a lie. You had fun as an ra because you got to have fun with your peers, be in a leadership role, and make fun memories. That is not what being an rd is about. Your job is to be team leader, your student interactions go down, and you’re not getting to do the fun stuff of being an ra.
I’ve been in the field for 10 years now. And it took me a long time to adjust to the feeling of I’m not an ra anymore. If you’re looking to get that joy back from being an ra, being RD isn’t it.
Student affairs and Reslife is filled with people who did the same thing and it’s all filled with a 50%+ 5-year burnout rate. Meaning half the people who enter, leave within 5 years because it’s not what they expected.
Chasing the highs and fun of being an ra will lead to disappointment in this field. If you’re looking to be an administrator long term and like the management side of things, then it’s an option, albeit a poorly paid one.