#CommunityAssistant

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Professional U connections making the difference

While Nathan Reynolds had known since high school that he wanted to help people, he wasn’t exactly sure how. Inspired by his mother, who is an RN, Reynolds originally began as a biology major, but then focused on the health care field with the goal of becoming a physician’s assistant. 

Faculty guidance and professional interactions through a freshman seminar class, however, made Reynolds rethink his trajectory.

“My instructor emphasized what we needed to consider before we went any further and by the end, I didn’t see myself in that career anymore,” said Reynolds, a health sciences pre-physical therapy major.

Reynolds was encouraged to attend workshops from speakers in the field where he learned about day-to-day interaction with patients, and was inspired to draw on his own experience as a student athlete.

“I love anatomy and physiology, and I wanted to be in a field where I would have fun while helping people, so I started looking at other options and stumbled across physical therapy,” Reynolds said. “It just seemed more my style. I’m more relaxed individual, and that’s crucial for those working on their physical mobility.”

To get an even better feel for the industry, Reynolds participated in a Husky Career Road Trip hosted by two BU alums who work in the exercise science field in Philadelphia. This summer, Reynolds will log nearly 40 job shadowing hours at various types of in and outpatient facilities as he prepares to secure an internship and apply to grad school.  

“My experience has been great,” Reynolds said. “I keep learning new treatments and techniques.”

In order to gain even more of an edge, Reynolds attended the Career Intensive Boot Camp his junior year

“Participating in the CIBC gave me a glimpse into some of the professionalism I thought I was ready for,” Reynolds said. “It opened my eyes to the fact I need to work on becoming confident and more articulate.”

Being able to engage with alumni and those who are professionals now and being able to ask questions really helped me gauge how serious you need to be about the profession you are going into and not limit yourself.  There’s growth in everything.

Reynolds also learned to draw upon his experience as a CA; one that he says has developed his leadership skills and he has found is closely related to his career choice.

“Being a CA requires you to build a relationship with others, make sure they’re safe, and set an example; and if you do that as a CA, you can do that in health care,” Reynolds said. “People need to be able to trust you that you will help them. There are certain things you do, not because the job requires it, but because doing them makes you a good CA”

Reynolds says that even if one feels they know what to expect from their chosen career, research is essential to fully understanding the day-to-day experience of that profession.

“You can say you love something, but if you don’t immerse yourself in it you will be unprepared,” Reynolds said.  “I’m just now figuring that out, and I’ve been Pre PT since I was a freshman. I didn’t make those connections with people in the field, and I should have.”

[thecatmotif-blog]

Challenging mindsets one bulletin board at a time. (at University of Central Missouri)

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@bucks forward @k_mid22 receives the December @nbacares Community Assist Award, presented by Kaiser Permanente, in recognition of his efforts to brighten the holiday season for youth and families through his first annual “12 Days of Khrismas” initiative. #KhrisMiddleton #MilwaukeeBucks #NBACares #CommunityAssist #KaiserPermanente #NBA #12DaysOfKhrismas #Basktball https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEoVA-gX2R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fdqm1gnd7qem

[bloomsburgu]

I’m a Husky

Hailing from Philadelphia, Rashee Hall is a graduating nursing major.

Rashee was very involved on campus being an Orientation Workshop Leader (OWL), a community assistant, Board of Governor scholar, member of Chi Alpha Epsilon, and a PASS mentor.

“I think I could write a novel on the positive impressions I have had from BU left on me over my years here,”Hall says. “So I will just pick the two organizations that have left the biggest impact on me being a CA and OWL here on campus definitely are the two biggest honors I have been involved in outside of being a nursing major.”

Hall adds, “These two organizations mean so much to me because I learned so much from them both, those lifelong friends I met have been through both of these organizations and that is what matters most to me the connections you build with people and both of these organizations gave me optimal opportunity to do so and they hold a special place in my heart for eternity.”

Being here past few years Hall has truly embraced the Bloomsburg community.

“The thing I will miss most about Bloomsburg is all the people I met over my years here,” Hall says. “I have truly met a lot of genuine and compassionate people I will miss them so much because over this time that seemed so long but is relatively short when you put it in perspective to your life.”

He adds, “I have gained true lifelong friends. The biggest reason I will miss Bloomsburg and making connections with people is because I know that I can’t get this experience back like there is no replay button. I will miss Bloomsburg in totality if we’re being honest.”

He’s ready for the next step.

“Far as my next step I feel well prepared Bloomsburg has taught me more about myself than anything and that holds so much more value than anything learned in the classroom,” Hall says. “While being here I have learned how to adapt to any and every situation and that gives me confidence that I can handle whatever life throws at me.”

Advice for the next generation.

“Here is the greatest advice I can give a student or anyone considering Bloomsburg, Get involved,” Hall says. “This is how you will meet people from all over the world, and it will expose you to many cultures and different types of people.”

[bloomsburgu]

Living the CA life

Becoming a community assistant is a gratifying and exciting experience, says Tessa Brennan, especially if you’re looking to meet a lot of new people and possibly change their lives.

Brennan — a CA in Boomsburg University’s newest residence hall, Soltz Hall — says one of the most rewarding aspects is helping new students transition from home life to college life.

“As a CA, you have the opportunity to work with friendly people as well as form bonds with students you may not have met otherwise,” says Brennan, a senior art studio major with a focus on graphic web design, also raving about the employees in residence life. “Being a CA is an important and rewarding job, with many benefits.”

Learning how to mediate tough conflicts and comfort someone when they are having a hard time are just a few of the irreplaceable lessons you learn in this job, according to Brennan.

For upperclassman wondering if it’s too late to join the residence life community, Brennan says being a CA as an older student is even better than starting your first year.

“It is easier to enforce policies when you have a little seniority over your residents,” Brennan says. “That way everyone can be safe and happy in their residence halls. As an older student you also have more knowledge and experiences than a younger student has and can use those experiences to guide your residents.”

While it can be a time consuming and stressful job, the benefits outweigh the struggles. Some students only do it for a year, while others do it for three.

“In the end I’m really glad I did it,” Brennan says. “I learned a lot about talking to people and being that safe space and safe person for the residents to talk to.”

Applications to be a CA for next year are due Tuesday, Feb. 6 by 4 p.m. Students must have at least a 2.4 GPA, as well as good judicial standing and availability for the full academic year. For details and to apply, visit reslife.bloomu.edu.

  — Danielle Backowski, mass communications major

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Campus living doesn’t end when walking out of the residence halls. It continues to grow through lifelong friendships formed by taking advantage of the unique experiences available across campus.

Being active in campus life enables you to adjust quickly to college and living on your own for the first time, as well as helps you make good choices and establish a solid foundation here and in life after graduation.

Living the Husky Life ... your story begins on campus

Get Involved ... with more than 250 student clubs and organizations, there’s a group just for you — ranging from community service, faith, the arts, business, entertainment and athletics.

Campus Living ... doesn’t end when walking out of the residence halls but grows through lifelong friendships formed by taking advantage of the unique experiences available across campus.

Get Fit and Be Active ... through a variety of options whether it’s team-oriented, outdoor adventure, the buddy system or with your own personal trainer.

Diversity ... enriches our lives through diversity of thought, activities and people. Our campus community is brought together as we learn about, experience and discover the world and each other.

Health and Safety ... are important in any community, especially in a residential campus like BU — home to health care professionals helping you stay healthy, counselors assisting you to deal with college stresses and police officers providing a secure campus environment.

Student Affairs ... oversees a dynamic and diverse student life with hundreds of ways for you to engage, grow and define your Inner Husky.