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As you might already know from earlier posts, the Student Affairs Team helps students with all aspects of their academic career and their life here as part of the St. Jerome’s community. Each term there are two co-op students that support our Student Affairs Team and play an important role in welcoming visitors to SJU. If you’ve been through the front desk reception here some time since the beginning of the year, you’ve probably been greeted by either Lauren or Angelo – the current Student Affairs Associates. Let’s hear what they had to say about their experience working at SJU this past term!
How long have you been a part of the St. Jerome's Community?
Lauren: For 2 years. I lived in the St. Jerome's residence in my first year and then was a PAL during my 2A term, and now I'm working at St. Jerome's for my co-op placement!
Angelo: I have been a part of the SJU community since Fall 2018, so just under 2 years now! I was a resident in my first year, and now am a member of the Student Activities Team, as well as a member of the staff here at SJU, for my co-op placement!
Please describe your role and position at St. Jerome's University?
L: I am currently in my co-op placement working at St. Jerome's as a Student Affairs Associate. I work with Angelo to provide customer service and answer any inquiries at the front desk in Sweeney Hall. I also monitor the social media accounts and the Connect newsletter, and create social media content for the St. Jerome's Instagram account.
A: I am currently one of two Student Affairs Associates here at St. Jerome's! I work alongside Lauren. This position is a co-op placement, so we'll be here until the end of April. As Student Affairs Associates, we are tasked with managing the front desk at the university. We are usually the first point of contact for the needs of residents, staff, faculty, and other visitors! Lauren and I also manage the social media channels and the SJU Connect Newsletter. Finally, we provide support to many different projects with staff members on the Student Affairs Team.
What is your favourite St. Jerome's Memory from this co-op term?
L: My fondest memories are all from Student Affairs Team Huddle meetings. As a team, we all come together once a week to share what we've been working on, and team build. It's always a great time to connect with everyone and learn new things about my coworkers!
A: I would agree with Lauren about my favourite memories from this co-op term. A lot of them occurred at our weekly Huddle meetings. It really is a great time for us to get updated on what everyone is working on and build comradery within our Student Affairs team!
How do you work with / help the members of the student affairs team?
L: I collaborate on projects with the Student Affairs team. I've worked with Michelle, our Service Learning Coordinator, on promoting St. Jerome's four service learning experiences. I've also partnered with Lindsay, our Wellness Coordinator, on creating passive programming surrounding exercise and how it benefits mental health. Angelo and I are also actively working on creating a social media strategy to share with student leaders and members of the student affairs team.
A: I've learned a lot over the course of this co-op term, but one notable thing that I've learned is how to conduct myself in a professional environment. As this was my first work-term, I'm glad to have gotten experience in professional correspondence, organizing and facilitating meetings and discussions, and finally, how to make good, informed decisions – most especially when the answer is not as clear cut. These are skills that I believe will serve me well beyond the classroom and my undergraduate degree.
What have you learned over this co-op term?
L: I've been able to develop my social media marketing skills and also has experience in event planning, both of which are skills I hope to use in my future career! I've also been able to grow my communication skills due to helping people with an array of different inquiries.
A: I've learned a lot over the course of this co-op term, but one notable thing that I've learned is how to conduct myself in a professional environment. As this was my first work-term, I'm glad to have gotten experience in professional correspondence, organizing and facilitating meetings and discussions, and finally, how to make good, informed decisions – most especially when the answer is not as clear cut. These are skills that I believe will serve me well beyond the classroom and my undergraduate degree.
How has your role changed over the last little while as you have transitioned to working from home?
L: The Student Affairs Associate role had a large component focused on customer service at the front desk, but due to COVID-19 we had to close the front desk, so my role has changed a bit. Angelo and I manage the info@sju.ca email account, so when everyone was checking out of residence we received and tracked all checkouts that came through that email. Now that the checkouts have slowed down, I'm focusing on projects and transition documents for the next co-op student.
A: Due to COVID-19, Lauren and I's roles have transitioned to becoming work-from-home positions. In this newly adjusted role, Lauren and I have shifted focus to updating the transition documents for future co-op students. We have also continued to work on our respective projects in collaboration with the Student Affairs Team with altered schedules and adapted goals and methodology (ex. Meetings via Zoom call).
Another great way to stay in the know about all things SJU is through the Connect Newsletter! To submit an item to be added in the newsletter, there is a submission form here: https://www.sju.ca/sjuconnect
If you have any suggestions for content that you would love to read about on our blog, please send an email to outreach@sju.ca! We would love to know what our students are interested in reading and knowing more about.
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TWITTER: @StJeromesUni
INSTAGRAM: @StJeromesUni
FACEBOOK: StJeromesUniversity