If you ever lived in a college dorm before you will know the importance that your CA has in your living experience. To most people being a CA seems like such an easy job that anyone can do. All you have to do is sit at a desk at nighttime, watching people come in and out of the building, and get paid for doing their homework. Though people do not realize that the job is a dedication. Just like any job it gets very tedious and unenjoyable at times. Personally, as a resident of Elwell Hall I did not know any details of what CA does until I met my CA. CA Regi a sophomore in college with a goal of someday taking on a career in the business world. A person that I grew to recognize as hardworking, dedicated and honest.
Wanting to learn more about what a CA does I knocked on Regi's door with curiosity on what she really does. Regi opens the door and the first thing I notice is the long light-colored straight ginger hair. With a strong smell of chicken salad emanating from her room as I walk in. Noticing a large bed twice the size of mine and a tremendous amount of room that seems like you can fit an entire couch and then some more. Being a CA allows you to combine the two beds in the room making a large comfortable bed for yourself and creating so much room to add anything else that you want. Regi starts off by exclaiming how this job is and how enjoyable it can be at times. She originally took the job because of the incentive that she gets free room and board with an additional $7.50 an hour whenever she is working. Not only that but she views this a small steppingstone to her business career, having to take care of people and being responsible is building up her knowledge to when she really needs it. Regi exclaims to me with confidence " But if you do not like to socialize or you are a little shy do not take this job because you're going to have to interact with your residents and if you cannot do that this job is not fit for you." So, this job is not for everyone; you have to know how to talk to people and really enjoy doing it like Regi has been.
" What does your day consist of having to work as a CA?" I ask enthusiastically as Regi looks up from her phone. She explains that her day is no different than mine having to wake up go to force herself to wake and go to the gym in the morning. Then going to class like everyone else. The real job starts at night one time a week to be on desk and that could be either at eight, ten or twelve at night. The only paperwork she does is writing a rounds report which happens after sitting on desk. Every CA has to go to each floor to check the lounges, bathrooms, sprinkler caps, and fire extinguishers that nothing is broken or missing.
As our discussion went on, we started to hear loud noises coming from the hallway as a group of girls were moving out of one of the dorms. The group of girls being very loud and irritating caused Regi to start getting annoyed as I saw her smile turn into a frown and with her eyes constantly looking at her door almost as if she wanted to go outside and yell at them.
With me nearing my final last few questions I asked Regi " What do you enjoy about being a CA and what are some of the struggles that you go through?" Regi's eyes glowed up as I could see her braces from the big smile that she gave me when I asked her that question. She exclaimed how she loves this job because of how many new people she got to meet and create connections with. Not only that but it helps build her people's skills since it requires her to talk to other people.
Before answering the second part of that question Regi pauses to check her phone notification. Her smile quickly fades away as she stands up and walks out the door and knocks on the door with the group of girls that have been making an immense amount of noise. " Hey girls I have gotten a complaint from two people saying that you guys are being too loud. Can you please move out quietly." Regi said angrily. As Regi left the girls said nothing and that was the last time the girls were loud.
"That right there is probably the biggest struggle about being a CA having to deal with noise complaints and people being disrespectful." Regi taking deep breaths as she calms down on her bed. Though Regi then explained that sometimes it isn't as bad as it seems because CA's work in twos. With the help of CA Mike who is much more experienced than Regi it has been much easier for her to deal with hard situations. " Mike always helps me out when I need help or if there is something new that I do not know he offers to show me how to do it" Regi elaborated. So, the CAs are never alone when it comes to dealing with challenging situations.
All in all, this job is not for everyone. If you enjoy talking to people and being able to be there if your resident needs help, then this job could be for you. It just all depends on the type of person that you are. Of course, not all CAs like the interaction. Regi is one of those people that were born for this job. The person that builds trust with all of her residents.
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