Senior and Resident Assistant Caroline Schneider has always liked to help others, challenge herself and explore new places; she has been able to do all of these things through her position at Iona College.

Schneider wanted to become an RA in order to serve as a mentor for the residents on campus.

“It’s also a position that I knew would be challenging and I wanted to challenge myself,” Schneider said.

As an RA, she is responsible for building a positive and safe community for the residents throughout on-campus housing.

Her favorite part of her job is putting together programs that her residents will enjoy. These activities create an opportunity for the residents on her floor to get together, to hangout and to have fun while also getting to know each other.

“It’s really rewarding [to] bring everyone together, and seeing them enjoy themselves,” said Schneider.

Schneider explained the most challenging part of her position is getting enough sleep. She said that there have been nights where she needs to keep her composure at 4 a.m. because a resident got locked out of his or her room, but these situations don’t stop her from loving her job.

With her two years of experience, she has some advice for anyone interested in pursuing an RA position.

“You really have to want it in order to succeed.,” Schneider said. “There are great days but also very stressful days. Not knowing if you fully want this position would make those hard days even worse.”

Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to do the things she loves, like hanging out with her friends and family, doing crafts and playing soccer.

Schneider even finds herself helping others outside of the Iona community. In the spring semester of 2015 she went on an Iona mission trip. She traveled to Sante Fe, N.M., where she helped and learned more about Native Americans of the Tesuque.

When she graduates in May, Schneider plans to find a job in marketing.

“I want to find something creative [that] I enjoy going to everyday,” Schneider said.

Schneider believes that her job as an RA has created not only a positive impact now in her life, but also in the future.

“This position has taught me so much about responsibility, conflict mediation and time management,” Schneider said. “I think those are skills I can take with me for any future job I have.”