My Experience as an RIT Admissions Ambassador…
As a mid-year Freshman transfer student, I knew virtually no one at RIT. Nonetheless, I immediately applied to the Student Ambassador Program through the Admissions Office, in the hopes that I could meet new people, learn my new campus, refine my communication skills, and create a positive impact in my community. After a rigorous vetting process, and an even more rigorous three month training period, I was finally and officially an Ambassador of RIT. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting prospective students and their families, and wanted to share with them my very difficult decision-making process to transfer during a global pandemic and the very positive outcome I gained at RIT.
A year and a half after I began, I toured a family from Maryland whose son had never heard of RIT prior to his visit. Knowing this, I did all I could to engage the prospective student with personal stories and anecdotes of my time to date at RIT. The tour progressed and ended uneventfully, with the usual niceties. I offered my contact information to the student, as I usually do, with an offer to answer any questions that might come up after their visit. I was disappointed because I thought that perhaps I hadn’t done enough to pique their interest in the school. However, much to my surprise, the father of the student contacted me with a lengthy email, explaining his son’s shyness, their unexpected discovery of the school, and their appreciation for my time and candor with them. He went to say that his son had applied, and was planning on committing to RIT if accepted, all because of my tour and conversation with them. The next day, I received kudos from my supervisor, detailing how this father had reached out to her as well, thanking her for my efforts on the tour. This kind of experience makes the 6am Open House wake-up-call, the 64 page script to memorize, and even walking backwards through blizzards worthwhile.
Four years later, I’m still an Ambassador. I often work at the Front Desk in the Admissions, and give less tours these days. My interaction with prospective students and families has changed, but my focus remains the same. I’m proud to be a student at RIT, and I’m very happy and ready to share my experience with visitors. I strive to make them feel welcome, leaving none of their questions unanswered, always available to support their stay on campus.
I feel that my experience working for the Admissions Office at RIT has prepared me in not only professional ways, but has enhanced my personal attributes that contribute to a healthy and productive work environment. It has given me an impeccable work ethic and project management, producing results and meeting deadlines, an ability to adapt within a changing environment, while maintaining productivity, has heightened my creative approach to problem solving, active listening, and team building with various constituencies, increased my dedication to accomplishing goals and continuous improvement. and has improved my effective written and verbal communication skills, reflecting an understanding of both traditional and emerging media.
Redhead En Route 