I enjoyed how our training was set up - we had time to get to know the admin staff and our fellow counselors and develop a rapport before the kids arrived. My admin staff was flexible and always took the time to acknowledge us for all we do. I also enjoyed how our day was structured - we generally stuck to the same routine, but there was always room for fun and flexibility!
What I wish was different
I don't wish anything had been different - besides the weather. It forced us to pivot and stay inside at times where it would've been nice to be outside.
Advice
Your admin staff and your other counselors are there to support you, so lean on them. If you're not sure how to solve a problem, you don't have to try and take it on for yourself.
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Resident Counselor
June - August 2023 • Medford, MA
What I liked
The diversity in the students and staff
What I wish was different
I wish our opinion and preferences for our job schedule and what events we wanted to be apart of were taken more into consideration
Advice
Come in with an open mind, the students you will be dealing with are different from one another. What works with one may not with another
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Residential Counselor
May - August 2023 • Medford, MA
What I liked
The team dynamic was amazing
What I wish was different
The organization and the leadership was very disorganized.
Advice
If you are spontaneous and love meeting new people you will enjoy this job.
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Residental Counslor
June - August 2023 • Medford, MA
What I liked
I enjoyed the diversity within the workspace and among the students
What I wish was different
I wish the Campus Director and Head RC's spread-out duties fairly among staff. There were many times where some staff and duties back-to-back while other only had one or two consistently.
Advice
Be realistic with your students, it's okay to be firm but also allow for them to have fun. You have to have a good balance.
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Mentorship intern
June - July 2022 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Sense of community, and the new experiences that came from this experience.
What I wish was different
I wish I was better prepared mentally, and I would’ve enjoyed getting to know my staff more.
Advice
Go into everything with an open mind.
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One person found this helpful
Resident counselor
June - July 2019 • Austin, TX
What I liked
Great bosses
What I wish was different
The kids I was assigned were difficult
Advice
This job takes quite a bit of grit, but is ultimately rewarding.
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Residential Counselor
June - August 2019 • Los Angeles, CA
What I liked
I got to spend the summer in LA. I had never been there before. I also got to live on UCLA's campus for free and a meal plan was provided. I worked with a variety of students from all over the world. I was like an RA. I had about 15 students who I was responsible for on my floor. Within my group of students I met girls from Lebanon, China, Japan, Greece, Turkey, London, and from different states in the US. Even the staff was diverse. It was great getting to work with people from all over in LA. I got to see and experience all over LA at this job. I went to 5 different beaches, I tried surfing, I went to Universal Studios, 6 Flags, Disneyland, LA Galaxy game, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the list goes on. Not to mention these experiences are completely covered by the camp. I could probably write a whole paper about everything I got to experience through this summer job.
What I wish was different
The camp is unorganized at times and you do not get as much sleep as you might want.
Advice
Go out and just do it. Move somewhere else for a summer and experience a new place. You learn so much more about the world from going out and doing.
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Resident Councilor
June - July 2019 • Los Angeles, CA
What I liked
Its organization and its outreach programs
What I wish was different
The management on the UCLA branch of the program
Advice
A great experience to learn about one's self and their interactions with those around them.
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Resident Counselor
June - July 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I really enjoyed our directors and mentoring staff. The entire staff was helpful and kind to make our experiences the best they could be. Everyone was very organized and prepared for anything. I also got to experience a lot of Philadelphia as well as Washington DC, NYC, Hershey Park, and Ocean City.
What I wish was different
I wish I applied sooner to get the 6-week program instead of the 4-week program.
Advice
If this position is something you're considering, I highly recommend it! This summer experience was incredible and the people are so wonderful.
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Resident Counselor
June - July 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
This was a great opportunity to work with pre college students understand what college is really like. Met people from China, UK, Spain, etc. Definitely a great way to spend your summer if you are working in Housing or plan to work in Higher Education.
What I wish was different
Heavier presence of participants from HBCUs. I was the only counselor who attended an HBCU.
Advice
Use this as an opportunity to go out of state and adventure. Share your college experiences with the students. Be open minded every culture is different therefore criticizing them will only complicate things.
