With applications open, recruitment efforts by the Housing Department for next year’s prospective resident mentors are in full swing.
“We’re hopeful that we can get 600 applications this year, and we’re trying to reach students really broadly across the university, because we really believe that the strength of our pool is dependent upon the diversity of applications,” said Tiffany Conde, assistant director of residential leadership.
Resident mentors (RMs) are on-campus housing employees who overlook and seek to guide students’ residence and campus experiences throughout their first year and beyond. Assigned to every floor of residence halls, RMs are a resource available to students for help with housing, academic, emotional and social issues. RMs aim to ensure that each student feels fully integrated at USC and are aware of all the resources available to them.
“You have to really be in it to serve and lead students. Some folks want to just put it on their resumé as a resumé builder, but I think what is important to know about that is that the position is more than just a resumé builder,” Conde said. "It’s really a lifestyle and a way of life."
Conde stressed that prospective RMs need to be involved for “the outcome, not the income,” as the job necessitates much more than simply being present and available within the residence halls.
“The role sometimes challenges people in ways they hadn’t expected ... because you’re often dealing with students at their very best and then sometimes you’re seeing students at their worst, and that can impact you in a way that you hadn’t anticipated,” Conde said.
Conde expressed that the RM position can be both mentally and physically taxing, as it often requires RMs to be awake until 2 a.m. some mornings, and “on duty” — available to take an important phone call or text message — all night.
At a recent information session for next year’s RMs, Charlotte Paley, a first-year mathematics major, shared what she thought were the most important characteristics of the position.
“You definitely have to lead, and then be able to answer any question that comes at you,” Paley said. “My RM is always there if we ever need him.”
While applicants’ reasons for seeking the RM position range from wanting to remain on campus to developing leadership characteristics to obtaining relevant transferrable skills, many acknowledge that being an RM is a multifaceted and deeply important position which can have serious and lasting impacts on students’ lives.
Brett Lewis, a first-year nursing student in Capstone House, was impacted by his RM in his early experiences at USC in a way that inspired him to pursue becoming an RM himself.
“[My RM] is doing a really good job at getting our entire floor to come together and get to know each other," Lewis said. "For me coming in, I was afraid it might be a little difficult because I’m a bit of an introvert when it comes to meeting people, but she did a great job at getting us to know each other, and I just want to help next year’s incoming students have that same opportunity."
With the application period coming to a close on Nov. 2, Conde believes any interested student should apply since the job needs a diverse range of characteristics, majors, personalities and experiences to form a strong body of resident mentors.
“Everyone brings a diverse experience, and we really need that experience in the halls,” Conde said. “Don’t sit on the fence and be like ‘well I’m not sure if I’m the right fit,’ or ‘I’m afraid to put in an application.’ You will never know unless you try, so we would love to see your application this year.”