Company Blog

Position Desired: Graduate Assistant

West Chester University, Department of Residence Life and Housing Services

Company Website: http://www.wcupa.edu/_services/stu.lif/

            I found this website to be rather direct and easy to navigate.  The homepage has a picture-roll displaying the traditional on-campus housing options, which is where I would be living if I received the Graduate Assistant (GA) position.  This is important when assessing the overall tone of the company website.   It is clear that the rhetorical structure is that of an informal and friendly nature.  This company is clearly dedicated to enriching each student’s living and learning experience, while trying to facilitate and encourage their developmental growth.  Lastly, it is important for me to note that there is nothing on this website or in the GA job description that promotes travel opportunities/possibilities for travel.  Since this is something that I seek from an employment opportunity, I will keep this aspect into consideration as I further unveil my findings. 

Information Access:

           There is extensive information about the “mission” of the department and what values the “Reslife” department holds dear.  There is no lack of clarity about this.  The website also offers information about the “central staff members” including the Director of Residence Life, Director of Housing Services, the Assistant Nice President of Student Affairs, and the Coordinator of Technology Services.  Theses employee “bios” include personal information as well as their individual role within the department and the responsibilities they hold while in that role. 

            An important aspect of the GA position is programming within the department and within the West Chester community.   There were no annual or semiannual reports offered about the success/failure of past programs, which I would find an appropriate piece of information to highlight.   Majority of the information they display however, is about the company’s mission goals and the services the company provides.

Elements Covered:

The information provided below will give you a good idea of the navigation option allowed to website viewers:

• ·       Living Facilities
• ·       Affiliated Housing
• ·       Residence Life
• ·       New Students
• ·       Parents
• ·       Calendar
• ·       Policies
• ·       Links (WCU related and “college student” related)
• ·       Contact Us

Internet Findings:

• ·      Payment structures: I found this information to be vague.  The only information offered regarding work hours, payment structures, benefits, was that this job is a “25-hour per week live-in commitment”.   
• ·      Hierarchy: The direct supervisor of the GA is the Resident Director and above him/her is the Director of Residence Life. 
• .   Individuals: It should be noted that each “central staff member” has been at this university working for a minimum of 6 years.  These would be the individuals interviewing a candidate for the GA position.  They focus on making an impact and leaving their mark on a place where they truly value working.

News:

There was little to none national, international, and even local news/information pertaining to the Department of Residence Life and Housing at WCU.  The University itself primarily functions as an educational institution, therefore resulting in top searches and news report to be pertaining to the educational programs as opposed to the internal administrative offices/university employment opportunities.

o   Local News: Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing service, is now on campus. With Zipcar, members can reserve self-service, on-demand cars by the hour or day, 24/7.  This is open to students and employees of the university.
 

·      Industry Publications: The Department of West Chester University is responsible to publishing the “Pro-Staff” Training Manual and the “Paraprofessional Staff” Training Manual that is to be utilized during the first two training weeks of the year.  The department also works with other student affairs offices on campus to create and revise the West Chester University Student Code of Conduct that is given to every West Chester student upon their arrival at the university. 

·      Periodicals: There is limited information pertaining to the department from a non-news informational standpoint. 

Academic Sources:

It is interesting that I did not find any EBSO or Google Scholar articles about the Department of Residence Life and housing Services.  I find that all the programming they promote and the community service they provide the West Chester borough with, warrants some news coverage, however I have found none. 

I think there are still questions someone seeking a job in the Residence Life and Housing department would have after visiting the company website, however I do think the website conveys the true missions behind the work that everyone does in the department.  I am still looking forward to applying for this position using my learned, shared, and real-world experience to help me land the job!