Since the end of my first year I have been a UBC Student Ambassador, or our fancy job title for campus tour guide. A Work Learn position I applied to over four and a half years ago, the position has become a defining part of my time as a UBC student.
I've had an incredible experience as a UBC student, so getting paid to walk around and talk about it is a pretty nice part time job. What I would not have expected, however, was for that position to give me more professional development than any of the other (many) positions I've worked in the past or present.
The team emphasizes ongoing training, and we constantly hone our skills to navigate difficult questions (everything from anxiety about moving away from home to instances of sexual assault on campus), tough participants, and any myriad of unexpected circumstance that come up on tour. The standard of training is high, and the 2 hours of worth of public speaking is a lot to remember.
Yet somehow, it's some of the most fun I've ever had on paid time, and not to mention the most supportive team I've ever had the pleasure of working with. The role has given me the opportunity to bolster my skills as a public speaker, connect with thousands of participants from all around the world, and have a personal impact in many students' decision to come to UBC. The style of feedback and leadership I've seen in my supervisors and coworkers is unlike anything I've seen working anywhere else, and as I've grown as a young professional, I've noted the innumerable nuances I've taken from them and applied elsewhere.
The role has made me comfortable jumping right into a conversation with somebody I've never met, confident in my skills as an orator, and somebody eager to share my experiences with others. While I'll still be doing tours for the few months of summer after graduation, I have no doubt it's what I'll miss most about being a UBC student.