Blog

I’m currently in my second year of being a Resident Assistant (RA) in Bursley Hall on North Campus. This year, I’m a theme RA for the SubFree theme.

As you can see below, we like to have fun.

To start, let’s define what RAs are. We’re university employees who supervise and support communities of students across campus at U-M. This involves regular monitoring of student areas for safety, organizing events that promote student success and socialization, and generally serving as an advocate for students as they make their way through classes, extracurriculars, and everything else that college life entails. In return, RAs are compensated with housing, a meal plan, and valuable work experience.

The life of an RA

To me, being an RA is about giving back to the Michigan community, helping develop friendships and safe, inclusive spaces for Wolverines. Just by spending tons of time together, I’ve become really close with my RA family. We study together, eat together, plan social activities for residents together, and have fun. Not only that, I’ve also developed transferable skills that will help me wherever I might go in the future.

Through required RA weekly meetings, Community Center shifts, community building activities, and one-on-one meetings with supervisors, I’ve learned how to manage my time efficiently so that I’m better able to fulfill all of my commitments. But most importantly, as an RA, I am privileged to be able to work with a great team as we build community and ensure the safety and security of all residents in their homes.

My path to becoming an RA

I filled out the application online, wrote a couple of essays, and asked two of my favorite high school teachers to submit letters of recommendation. And then, amidst a bunch of projects and exams, I forgot that I had submitted an application.

Sometime later in the winter, I got an email saying that I had an interview! I was terrified, but got to have a great conversation with two hall directors. Speaking with them really helped demystify the role of an RA, and I learned that there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Despite this encouraging introduction, I wasn’t selected to join the Housing team right away; instead, I was asked to join the waitlist. Fast forward a couple of months and I was offered the chance to join the Bursley team as an RA. I gladly accepted.

How to become an RA (apply soon!)

The application to become an RA (which is not currently open to freshmen) usually opens late September or early October and requires you to gather two letters of recommendation and write a few essays about various topics, including your leadership ability and the U-M Housing Office’s values, among other requirements. Read more about Housing’s mission and philosophy to better understand how you might be able to use your talents in a Housing job.

Following the paper application, you may be invited to the next step of the process, which involves an interview with a couple of hall directors. During the interview, you will be asked questions that help the hall directors better understand you as a person, your motivation to become an RA, and your goals and skills as they relate to community building. Don’t be stressed about the interview. Instead, think of it as a chance for you to shine and showcase your abilities.

RA training

If you’re accepted to become an RA, you will have to attend summer training, one of the most important steps in becoming an RA. As an RA, it’s important to have all of the tools necessary to do your job and summer training is where you will learn a lot of the things that you need to know. You will also connect with many resources across campus that can further support you as an RA such as the First Year Experience and Wolverine Wellness.

To learn more, be sure to check out Housing’s website, where you can find additional job descriptions and learn how you can make a difference in Michigan’s residential communities.

Common Housing positions

RA/resident advisor

One of the most common positions for undergraduate Housing employees, the traditional RA position is a chance for you to put your leadership ability to work in helping build community for residents.

RC/resident coordinator

If you’ve been an RA before, you might want to consider becoming an RC. RC’s are like traditional RAs in that they have a hall of residents, but they also take on additional leadership roles within the community and help support RAs as returning members of the team.

HD/hall director

Part of the professional team in U-M’s Housing department, all hall directors live within their community and are the direct supervisors to resident advisors. Hall directors lead RAs in their roles and provide support for any situation that an RA might want more help with.

Check out the Housing website for more details on what different jobs in Housing entail.