The Student Babysitters 

By: Victoria Ruth

A Photo of Schuylkill Halls Lobby

    One of the oldest buildings at Bloomsburg. Built in September of 1964 at the bottom of the hilly campus. As you pull on the first set of gold weighted handles of the doubled doors, to go through yet another set of doubled doors you scan your Bloomsburg University burgundy keycard on black scanner waist length on the wall. Within a few seconds you hear discreet beep, with a flash bar of kelly green. You find yourself in Schuylkill Hall. A hug of warm air surrounds your body, accompanying your first steps onto a rust colored semi-circled rug. When you walk in you direct your eyes to the back array of windows. Your eyes are met with a warm smile of a CA sitting in a green spinning chair. You continue to walk on the multi- shaded color brown tiles arriving at the foot of a fake wood design desk with a variety different colored stickers of vinyls and kasets. Depending on the day you'll either get a "hey how's it going?" or nothing at all, but the job of the CA is to make sure our lives as students is a tad easier while adjusting to college. 

    How did they get here though? CA's go through a process of signing up through flyers and essentially picked by the hall directors. The director for Schuylkill is AD Hannah, and CA's don't know where they're placed until we all come back in August. You can find these flyers hung up on the white popcorn textured walls. The paper has bold lettering in a yellow banner design with the words all capitalized "WE ARE HIRING." Under the banner are the payment package information in a listing bullet point presentation. Along with eligibility following below it in the same format. Lastly, on the bottom of the page a link for interested students willing to take up the challenge.

     Mainly the appeal to students is the free housing. Students will do anything while in college to make money even through the strenuous workload, but what if I told you could make money this whole time by just existing. Essentially that's what a CA is, according to someone like me that's what I thought until I uncovered more information with the true task. Also, with the general anxiety everyone has about paying off their student loans someday. It sounds like a fantastic idea. 

    Other reasons why the job is desirable. So I went to my source, Bekah. I walk swiftly into the CA's lounge. Catching her off guard I find Bekah hunched over on the blue couch pressed against the largest wall in the white room. Bekah has only been a CA since August; she is a brunette with her hair in a tall ponytail with some fallen pieces resting on the cheeks of her face. With a winter black winter coat snuggled around her, as she sets her hands on the light wood table. Once in the bright colorful room I take in the varieties of seating places, I glance at a big gray bean bag chair and plop myself down. 

    "Hey, how are, is it okay if I ask you a few questions for a paper I'm writing?" I asked awkwardly.

    "No problem go ahead." Intrigued with the question.

    "So why did you become a CA?"I confidently voice.

    “Partially for the experience, partially for the money, partially so that it looks good on the résumé.” My CA Bekah elaborated.

    Behind the scenes, the average pay for being a CA is $233 weekly, but there's so many other objectives. Such as making name tags, desk hours, forgotten key cards, students accidentally locking themselves out of their room, a job while being a full-time student, weekend shifts, the list goes on. So, do CA's love their jobs? “No, it’s just a job and I’ve learned a lot from it, but I can’t say I love my job” sighed Bekah.

    A day in the life of a CA, "So what's your daily routine?" sitting in the bean bag I looked up to Bekah putting shapes together for a class. Silence lingered for a little bit while she looks up to the right side of her face trying to muster up an answer.

    Bekah slowly refocused her eyes onto me. “Get up at a decent time, make sure I’m available, go to class come back, make sure I’m getting things done for my job.” She progressed.

    Her answer is short, to the point, I'm taking notes as a different thought slipped into my mind. "Do you enjoy being here?"

Schuylkill Lobby CA in and 
out chart

    She giggles "wow you really got me thinking about my job." she remarked, but continues “like my room should be a place where I should be able to relax but when I walk into the building It’s work.” With tenseness in her voice.

    Being a CA isn't all sunshine and rainbows, or just free housing. It takes a lot of work to be a CA especially when you're on call 24/7 upon entering the building. Even some CA's have regrets taking the job or feel misinformed by Bloomsburg about what it really entails. Some don't feel appreciated. “I wish they would explain more detail of the job, or how thankless they are since the job deals with massive drama”. Exclaimed one.

    You also deal with unwanted situations and can make being a CA uncomfortable. Such as bad students, judgmental glares, or just very random events at any hour. “Deal with conflict being a leader potentially dealing with undesirable situations like drugs and alcohol.” Bekah elaborated. Thankfully though despite the unfortunate situations, the CA's are never in this alone. Bekah expresses that the job is bringing her closer with the other CA friends that she didn't know before coming into the job and finds she can be open with them. Though she knows they're there for work. "I can comfortably say we are co-workers by the end of the day.”

    So, in conclusion being a CA can have its ups and downs but also really depends on the person.

    "Would you ever recommend becoming one?" As I glanced over and question inquiry.

     With no hesitation she answered. “With caution, I wouldn’t want to lie to a resident saying it’s the best thing ever.” She proceeds on. “You gain experience and how to deal with conflict, and communication”.

    With a high pitch in my voice, I confirm "so it's a good lesson?"

    "Yes." Shortly answered.

    So, if you're thinking about becoming CA do so at your own risk and know that everyone will have a different experience. Others may be better for the job than the few that are already ones. Potentially experience some interesting circumstances, “I had to help a resident get an ambulance and the process of getting her there and had to take care of her dog for the day." With shock in Bekah's voice. Thirdly, the fact that you're CA doesn't automatically assume that everyone will respect you, and the fact you're responsible for many faces you see walking through the doors. Lastly, making sure you're mentally strong so students can rely on you as a friend, or to still get the best possible grades despite the extra load this job requires. Everyone has a different experience whether it be negative or positive.