My roommate is too loud. Exams are stressing me out. What's that smell in the hall?

McMaster's residence community advisors (CAs) deal with a lot of things, but Eddy
Malouf wouldn't have it any other way.

For the third year health sciences student, a CA at Bates, the challenges those in
residence sometimes face are really just opportunities for him to do what he wanted to
do when he applied for the position in the first place: help his fellow students.

“One-on-one discussions with students on my floor are the best part of the job,” said
the Ottawa native, who has helped first year students with everything from concerns
about roommates to academic worries. “They need to know that there are people they
can talk to when they have issues, even if they seem trivial.”

For those unfamiliar with residence life, CAs are often a student's first line of support
when they move into a campus dorm. From getting them involved in Welcome Week
activities to ensuring they follow the residence code of conduct, CAs work to help
integrate students into the McMaster community while acting as leaders within each
residence building.

To help them relax before exams, Malouf recently organized and cooked a breakfast
for students in Bates. The meal – bacon and eggs – also included a movie showing. The
event turned out to be highly popular.

“It's worth it because you're there for people just like someone was there for you when
you first got to McMaster.”

Marten Kaas, a CA at Brandon Hall, agrees. The second year biology student applied for
the job after seeing the positive impact that residence representatives had on students
new to the University and says the experience has been a great one.

“You should do as much as you can when you go to university, and working as a CA is
something that I would highly recommend doing,” he said.

The opportunity is currently available, with Residence Life looking to hire a new crop of
students this month.

Formal qualifications are minimal – applicants must be full-time undergraduate
students with a sessional average of at least 5.0 – but Malouf says it helps to be
enthusiastic, flexible and able to prioritize and manage your time.

“Other than a few exceptions, there aren't many formal blocks of working hours,” he
said. “You're sort of always on, because you never know when you're going to be
needed.”

Despite the sometimes busy schedule, Malouf says that the job is an incredibly
rewarding one.

“It's great to run into students on campus who know you and appreciate the guidance
you've given them,” he said. “You meet some really great people working as a CA. You
might have some late nights, but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.”