Become a Resident Networker

Resident Networker

The UTS Housing Resident Networker (RN) program is an established peer development initiative that cultivates and enhances residents’ career and life leadership potential creating the next generation of global citizens.

The role covers a myriad of responsibilities from peer support, community engagement to and conflict resolution.  Over the course of 6 months, an RN can be expected to engage in up to 200 hours of skill development conflated between direct support and guidance to residents, training workshops, and event organisation. 

How to apply? 

Want to become an RN? Fantastic! This role provides you with an amazing opportunity to expand your skills and and your experience at UTS Housing by becoming part of the Resident Networker community. View the Position Description here.

Applications usually open in May and October each year. Once applications open, all residents will receive an email with further details regarding the role and a link to the application form.

For any questions about the RN program, please contact UTS Housing at .housing.service@uts.edu.au

Why students get involved?

Residents engage in the RN program to capitalise on the opportunity to pioneer, evolve, and champion their resident community.  This program provides real-world graduate attributes through:

• A commitment to building a learning community of core skills through intensive and comprehensive training workshops.
• Encouraging personal boundaries to be extended through deep involvement in a socially diverse resident community.
• Enhancing participants’ ability to work in multi-cultural teams to achieve clear goals.
• Creating frameworks for ethical and socially responsible behaviour.

Additional benefits

Participation in the RN Program contributes to a work-ready curriculum vitae by providing:

• A letter of reference from UTS Housing outlining the graduate outcomes and skill development of participation. 
• Nationally certified training including 1st Aid, Youth Mental Health 1st Aid, etc.
• Opportunities to participate in national youth leadership conferences based on meritorious performance and recommendation by the Manager, UTS Housing Service.

In recognition of RNs contribution to helping develop the UTS Housing living and learning community, UTS offers the ‘UTS Housing Resident Networker Scholarship’ valued at $6,000.00 per year paid over 10 instalments, or a pro rata amount for RNs who join the program for part years. This scholarship is offered to all RNs involved in the Program and is intended to be used by recipients for educational purposes.  The Scholarship is offered on a voluntary basis and there is no obligation to accept an offer of a Scholarship. Details of this scholarship can be found at http://www.uts.edu.au/future-students/scholarships.

What do RNs do?

• Events
• Floor Community
• Start of the semester
• Performance and support

Resident Networker Program 

Leadership Attributes

• Ability to work in a team
  RNs will develop the fundamental skills necessary to contribute to high-performance teams.  This is facilitated by persistent and positive collaboration with the Resident Life staff, RN team, and UTS Housing staff.   
• Communication skills
  RNs will develop confidant and mature communication skills through mediating resident relationships, interactions with a range of UTS Professional staff, and participation in team meeting
• Problem solving skills
  RNs face a range of situations including inter-personal conflict and crisis response which develop the ability to critically examine situations and promptly react.    
• Professionalism
  RNs are exposed to a range of workplace standards which prepare them for graduate employment across any professional field, including;  the benefits of a strong work ethic, ownership and investment in projects, the importance of demonstrating and maintaining confidentiality, boundaries between personal and professional attitudes, and, following proper protocol..
• Inclusivity and diversity
  RNs not only work, but also live in, a multi-cultural team and community.  This provides a strong grounding for participation in a global workplace where graduates are required to cross cultural boundaries in a professional and empathetic way.  
• Project management
  RNs develop practical project management skills through leading events and team initiatives witch include proposals, budgeting and post-event debriefings.

Training & workshops

To develop the inherent leadership skills of our RNs an intensive training schedule is programmed each year focused on building and enhancing a myriad of skill sets.

• Equity and Diversity.
• Cultural awareness / cross-cultural understanding.
• Communication skills.
• Personal and professional boundaries.
• Event planning, project management and social media.
• Community building / student engagement.
• Leadership.
• Conflict resolution.
• Social responsibility.
• Developing initiative and innovation.
• 1st Aid.
• Youth mental health 1st Aid
• Building cultures of respect workshops

+ much more!

Testimonials

"As a mature age student this experience was invaluable for me in many ways. It really helped me discover the side of myself I either thought I had lost or had never had. The RN experience was the perfect conduit for rediscovering long buried confidence and as far as I am concerned, being an RN is a once in a lifetime experience. It was invaluable; irreplaceable. So many things I take with me for life – friends and memories, personal development, confidence, an even more open mind, and I remembered how to REALLY have fun again!"
Viola Tadros

"To me, becoming an RN was a great opportunity to try new things, make new friends and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. I believe I came out of this experience a better leader and would be able to translate my knowledge of dealing with people from various cultures and backgrounds to my field of work. However, most importantly I hope I was able to make a meaningful impact on my fellow residents."
Mantri Boange

"Becoming an RN helped me come out of my shell and learn to be a leader in my community. Coming from a small town, it was a great way to meet new people. I learnt how to organise large scale events, how to communicate with people from diverse cultures and ethnicities, and how to get the most out of my university life. The skills and training I learnt will help me for the rest of my life. And most importantly being an RN allowed me to make friends from all over the world. This is at the beginning of each semester, you get to go on a trip with your fellow RNs and that’s when you really bond and become a solid team. There are lots of challenges and laughing, late night chats and shared meals, by the end you feel like a family. My RN friends are now my best friends and I’m so grateful to have had these fun times together."
Lucy Martindale

"For me, being an RN has been a valuable experience and I think it’s an ongoing learning process. I know it sounds very cliché, but I could really feel that effective communication and cooperation are key elements for successful teamwork, especially in such a big team with members from diverse backgrounds. Sometimes it was definitely more challenging than I had anticipated, but I’ve had the chance to meet and become friends with many great people in Housing along the way. This means a lot to me and will probably mean a lot to you guys, the new applicants, as well, seeing as how we all live away from home. Every now and then, we all need that emotional support and a sense of belonging."
Eunyoung Park

FAQ 

1. What is the commitment level of an RN?
   Life at UTS Housing can be unpredictable and RN’s may be called on to help facilitate a range of programs, initiatives or tasks that may arise during the course of the year.  Overall the position is time consuming and you will need good organisational skills, to achieve a balance between your duties and the requirements of your own study.  Comprehensive training and support is provided by the Resident Life team to assist you achieve this.    
2. What experience do I need to become an RN?
   When recruiting RNs we look for candidates who have a proven commitment to enhancing community, previous roles such as volunteering, charity, involvement in clubs and societies or other leadership roles.  The most important qualities you will need, however, are flexibility and a sense of humour!  
3. I am an international student, can I still apply?
   Yes, any full-time student who is a resident of UTS Housing is eligible to apply. 
4. If I have a conflict, can I miss training or be late for it?
   No, attending the RN training in its entirety and fully participating in the Housing Welcome Weeks are required to hold the position.  The time invested is critical to prepare RNs on how to serve as resources for their residents.
5. Can I hold another position on/off-campus if I am a RN?
   Yes, many RNs have part-time jobs or are actively involved in UTS clubs and societies.  
6. What does the application process entail?
   The first stage of the recruitment process is completing an application form with a serious of short answer questions about a variety of topics.  Following this candidates are invited to a group workshop and finally to an individual interview.   
7. When can I apply?
   RN applications are held every year in late October for the following year and there may be an additional intake in late April/early May.  We will notify all residents by email leading up to this. 
8. Who should I contact if I have further questions?
   You can contact the UTS Housing office at and request more information.housing.service@uts.edu.au