This week, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Rachael Gibson and Chelsea Carter-Scales from Deakin Residential Services. Having worked directly under their guidance for an year as a Residential Leader, I’ve witnessed their dedication to the student community first-hand. Our conversation was a wonderful blend of personal updates and professional insights.
Here’s what we discussed:
đź“ŤQ: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role?
Rachael: Managing a culturally diverse student population is challenging. Each student brings unique values and perspectives under one roof, which can result in beautiful synergy or challenges.
Chelsea: I agree with Rach, we work with Resi’s from all walks of life that share different values and beliefs, so it can be challenging to empower them to face conflict with each other. But it’s always so nice to see their tremendous growth over their time at Res.
đź“ŤQ: What advice would you give to students to make the most out of their time living in residences?
Rachael: Participate in as many events as possible. Not only are you already paying for these through your fees, but they also offer incredible networking opportunities with peers, which can be more beneficial than online searches in the long run.
Chelsea: Make sure to arrive on check-in day and participate in the full week of orientation. Always reach out for support when you need it; it’s what we’re here for.
đź“ŤQ: What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding?
Rachael: It’s incredibly rewarding to see Residential Leaders grow and thrive from their first day to becoming key community figures.
Chelsea: I love seeing new residents start to talk to strangers in the first week and then grow to become best friends as the year progresses.
đź“ŤQ: What’s your one message to the world?
Rachael: Don’t be afraid to be the change you want to see.
Chelsea: Growth starts when you’re uncomfortable. 🙂
✨ Here are my key takeaways from this conversation:
Welcoming different cultures and ideas can really enrich your life and help you see the world in new ways. It’s important to learn from and value the different people around you. Also, getting involved early and taking part in activities are key steps to making the most of any situation. If you join in from the start and ask for help when you need it, you can greatly improve your experience and gain lasting benefits.
