Resident and Community Assistants (RA/CAs) support the students living in the residence halls and university-owned apartments. Our Resident and Community Assistants learn important skills and qualities that help prepare them for various future careers. They are given opportunities to grow in communication, professionalism, diversity and inclusion, and critical thinking skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the personal development of residents in a variety of ways, including meeting social, physical, and emotional needs and by being sensitive to their individual concerns.
• Organize floor and hall events to encourage active participation and involvement on a one-on-one, small group, and large group basis.
• Develop and maintain a community atmosphere within the residence halls, Cardinal Court, or Fell and School Street apartments.
• Assist in administrative duties such as writing reports, submiting forms such as Bird Calls, program proposals, bi-weekly reports, duty coverage, and other tasks as assigned.
• Communicate and enforce residence hall and university rules and regulations.
• Be a role model to your fellow students through mature behavior consistent with university rules and regulations.
• Inform students about university procedures, services, and policies and make referrals when appropriate to other campus and community agencies.
• Participate in a weekly staff business meeting that occurs on Tuesday.
• All RA/CAs will be required to enroll and receive a B or higher grade in a zero hour eight week course during each semester they are in the role.
• RA/CAs are only allowed to work 15 hours (first semester in internship) in an on-campus job and 28 hours (every semester after first) per week.

Qualifications

• 24 hours of completed undergraduate course work at the time of appointment
• Cumulative 2.40 GPA at time of application
• Good standing with the University and within residential community (e.g. ISUPD, Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Behavior within housing community)
• Has lived in the residence halls/on-campus for at least two complete semesters by the start date
• Enrolled in classes full-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at Illinois State University
• Willingness to commit to the Resident/Community Assistant Internship for at least one academic year

Every RA/CA must carefully organize time commitments to meet the demands of the internship along with course work and personal interests. Therefore, students engaging in student teaching, certain internships, professional practicums, or employment outside of Illinois State are not allowed to serve in the RA/CA Internship.

Benefits

The Resident and Community Assistant internship provides a variety of benefits for our students.

• • The opportunity to grow in areas that are highly desired by future employers, such as communication, diversity and inclusion, critical thinking, and professionalism.
  • Mentoring and networking opportunities throughout University Housing Services and our campus partners.
  • Supervisors who focus on the holistic growth of Resident and Community Assistants.
  • An on-campus position that prioritizes Resident and Community Assistants’ academic work.
  • A waiver for the cost of their room and meal plan.

University Housing Services has built an internship where the National Association of College & Employers (NACE) skills are the driving force of what RA/CAs are asked to do and are the skills they will develop and take away from the internship. In addition to NACE skills, RA/CAs will gain valuable experience in leadership, organization, time management, ethics, program planning, mediation, crisis response, and administration. These experiences will carry you through your personal and professional life.

The NACE skills of the RA/CA internship include the following areas:

1. Communication: Relationships, Clear & Accurate Written Communication, Tact of Communication, Conflict
2. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: Valuing Diversity, Understanding Identity, Fosters Belonging, Community Expectations
3. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Referrals, Information Literacy, Addressing Negative Impact
4. Professionalism: Professional Standards, Confidentiality, Responsibilities, Career Development

The Interview Process

RA/CA Q&A Sessions

Interested applicants will be given the opportunity to attend a Q&A session. In this presentation, University Housing staff will clarify expectations and the interview process of the internship. Additionally, current Resident and Community Assistants will be in attendance to answer any questions about the real-life experience of the internship.

RA/CA Info and Q&A Sessions : Ran by committee members in their respective areas, with their RAs. 

Hewett-Manchester/Escalante Conference Room: Monday 9/18, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Watterson Towers/Rosa Parks Room: Tuesday 9/19, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Cardinal Court/Theatre Room: Wednesday 9/20, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Tri-Towers/Shawnee Conference Room: Thursday 9/21, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Possible secondary sessions to be added.

• Candidates will receive future communication via their ISU email on how to sign up for a Q&A session.

Workshops

Similar to the RA/CA Q & A Sessions, Workshops are an opportunity to learn more about the RA/CA Internship. In Workshops, candidates will walk through common situations that RA/CAs are faced with and will be able to practice going through the situations themselves. Candidates will be able to learn from current RA/CAs about tips, tricks, best practices, and lessons they have learned through handling different situations in their roles. Applicants are required to attend a workshop to be considered for the position.

The RA/CA Workshop allows applicants to get a feel for the role and hands-on experience.

10/24 – RA/CA Workshop – 2-4 p.m. in the Rosa Parks Room of Watterson Towers

10/25 – RA/CA Workshop – 2-4 p.m. in the Shawnee Conference Room of Tri-Towers

10/27 – RA/CA – 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Escalante Conference Room of Hewett- Manchester

• Candidates will receive future communication via their ISU email on how to sign up for a Workshop.

Individual Interview

The final step to be considered for the RA/CA Internship is to complete an Individual Interview. Each interview is scheduled for 45 minutes and will be conducted by one full-time University Housing Services employee from each area of campus (3 total). The interview will last for about 30 minutes in order to leave plenty of time for candidates to ask any remaining questions they may have. Applicants are required to be interviewed to be considered for the position.

• 10/30 – 11/10 Interviews will take place for candidates who applied on or before 10/16
• Candidates will receive future communicaiton via their ISU email on how to sign up for an Individual Interview.
• We highly recommend reviewing and practicing the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) method before your interview. There are many articles and videos that help explain how to best use the STAR method to answer questions throughout the interview.
  • Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
  • Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
  • Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
  • Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

Questions?

Please email RACARecruitment@IllinoisState.edu