The RA Position as a Leadership Development Opportunity in Higher Education

Let’s start this post off with an unpopular opinion:

The RA position is one of the most impactful undergraduate leadership opportunities available to college students.

Filled with opportunities to practice communication skills, conflict resolution, community building, time management, and more – there’s nothing quite like being an RA to build core leadership competencies.

But here’s the problem…

Most students don’t recognize it as a leadership opportunity at all. They see an application listing and scroll right on by without giving it a second thought.

But completing an RA application isn’t something to just rush through. Learning the ra college meaning can open up opportunities to improve your leadership skills exponentially while you’re in school AND prepare you for dealing with a team after graduation.

Interested? Let’s dig into everything you need to know about why every student should seriously consider becoming an RA.

What You’ll Learn

• What Is the RA Position?
• Why the RA Role Truly Develops Leadership Skills
• The Leadership Skills You Learn as an RA
• Who Should Consider Applying as an RA?

What Is the RA Position?

The Resident Assistant position – commonly called an RA position or RA role — refers to a leadership role in a university residence hall.

Someone who holds this role supports and assists the students living around them in exchange for special compensation. This can include covering tuition for room and board, meal plans, and other scholarships.

RA responsibilities vary by institution but often include:

• Helping students thrive academically and socially
• Supporting community building activities
• Enforcing policies within the residence hall
• Providing a resource or touchpoint for students needing assistance

But here’s the thing…

The RA role is much more than a student job. It’s an immersive leadership experience.

RAs oversee students on a daily basis. They lead programming, answer questions, manage crises, mentor others, and report to residence hall directors who are paid professionals.

In other words…

They learn how to be leaders.

Leaders who make a difference.

And that’s why the RA role is one of the best ways to develop as an undergraduate leader.

Why the RA Position Develops REAL Leadership Skills

Look at any other leadership opportunity available on a college campus and compare it to being an RA.

Too often students get involved in workshops, student organisations, or semester-long programs that sound good on paper but don’t have a chance to practice what they’re learning.

Not the RA position.

When you apply to be an RA, you become a resident leader for a full year. You can’t forget about it at the midpoint of the semester. Instead, you’re forced to grow your leadership skills every single day you are in the role.

In fact, students who have been through the RA training process and served as leaders report changes to their self perception, communication style, and approach to leadership.

Leadership skills that stick with you long after the role ends.

Plus, who doesn’t want to work in a position where research shows you can impact student success and persistence? Serving as an RA actually makes a difference for students around you – and that’s what leadership is all about!

It’s about impact.

Student leadership statistics consistently show that students who train in leadership are 28% more likely to approach problems with strong leadership skills after graduation.

Sure, your RA training won’t feel like training sometimes. But making a difference for students every day while practicing key leadership skills? Now that’s a truly valuable leadership opportunity.

Core Leadership Skills You Learn as an RA

Alright, last point on why you should apply to be an RA. Let’s talk about how.

As resident assistants, you are required to learn and practice several skills that employers look for again and again.

Here’s the breakdown.

Communication

Communication is the foundation of the RA role. Whether it’s with residents, staff, or their fellow RAs. They are always communicating.

Through conversation, listening, writing, and working with groups of all types – RAs learn to sharpen their communication skills by practicing them daily.

Conflict Resolution

Disputes between roommates. Policy violations. Late-night emotional meltdowns. Name your conflict – RAs tend to deal with it.

Learning how to handle difficult situations, meet students where they’re at, and find a resolution are leadership skills that will benefit you long after college.

Event Planning & Programming

RAs plan, budget, and execute academic and social programs for their residents all year. It’s a great primer for project management.

Crisis Response

Ever been stuck awake all night on call? RAs have. Learning how to manage tough situations – from medical emergencies, to lockouts, to mental health crises – builds competencies in judgement and staying calm under pressure.

Community Building

RAs build communities all the time. Students come to college with their rooms full of stuff. They don’t always come with a support system.

The job of an RA is to help build that. Learning how to empower students to connect with each other and create community is one of the best leadership skills you can develop as an undergraduate.

Who Should Apply to Be an RA?

As with most leadership roles, just because you can apply doesn’t mean you should.

Being an RA requires overnight time commitment, quick thinking, organization, and a genuine desire to help students succeed.

That doesn’t sound like you? No problem. RAs aren’t for everyone.

But if you:

• Like working with students from all different backgrounds
• Want to grow your leadership skills
• Don’t mind staying late occasionally when the need arises
• Want a job that gives you plenty of scholarships and free food

Consider becoming an RA.

It’s a chance to practice real leadership skills, cover some of the cost of college, and make friends that will last a lifetime.

It’s also an experience that sharpens time management skills along the way.

Another major leadership skill.

Becoming an RA is a nice perk.

Wrapping Up

The RA position is easily one of the best ways to build your leadership skills as an undergraduate student.

But it’s more than that…

Serving as an RA gives you the chance to practice leadership skills that translate to your career, grad school interviews, and beyond. Not only that, but student leaders make a real impact on the persistence and success of their fellow students.

RAs truly are leaders that make a difference.

Here’s a recap of why you should apply to be an RA.

• Real leadership position with real responsibilities.
• Practice leadership skills that will carry forward.
• Data proves it helps other students succeed.
• Great way to save up on tuition and get free meals.
• Open to most undergraduate students right now.

Best of luck to you as you dive into the RA application process. Consider it an investment in yourself and your leadership skills.