First Year Residential Experience (FYRE)

FYRE Paraprofessionals

FYRE Paraprofessionals live and work with a diverse population of students in the FYRE communities across ASU’s Tempe campus.  Students filling the FYRE Paraprofessional role will serve as a peer advocate, leader, and resources referral for first year students, bridging the gaps between campus life and academic support in the residence halls.  Partnering with other hall staff these paraprofessionals will provide an intentional focus on supporting first year students in their transition to the ASU community and provide a strong foundation for academic success.

For more information on the FYRE Paraprofessional position, please attend an Information Session. Dates and times are outlined below.

What do FYRE Paraprofessionals do?

  • Assist first year students in having a successful transition from high school to college in a residential setting
  • Serve in roles as a peer advocate, leader, role model, and resource referral for first year students in their community
  • Provide outreach to students in their community, connecting them to academic, educational, social and cultural activities
  • Promote, market and organize events and workshops for FYRE community residents
  • Participate in evening and weekend responsibilities as assigned
  • Participate in an upper-level leadership internship
  • Attend all training dates and staff meetings throughout the academic year

 

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Requirements

All FYRE Paraprofessionals must:

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Be able to demonstrate academic and college success strategies
  • Have a minimum of 25 credit hours and be in the third semester at university or further by the beginning of the Fall 2008 semester
  • Be enrolled as a full-time degree seeking student (undergraduate 12 credit hours a semester, graduate 6 credit hours a semester)
  • Have a minimum cumulative and semester GPA of 2.75 at time of application and maintain the GPA requirements throughout their position appointment
  • Have lived on campus as least 1 semester
  • Be in good behavioral standing with Residential Life and Student Life policies
  • Work no more than 10 hours at another job outside of Residential Life
  • Accept employment for two consecutive semesters (Fall 2008-Spring 2009)

 

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Who is an ideal candidate?

One who possesses all of the requirements as well as the following qualities:

  • Willing to grow personally and professionally
  • Welcomes and learns from challenges
  • Ability to successfully manage time and multiple priorities
  • Understands transition issues of first year students
  • Flexible in thoughts and actions
  • Charismatic and influential with their peers

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What's in it for you?

  • Opportunity to share your college transition experience and to help create a memorable and enjoyable experience for a new group of first year students
  • Develop, and strengthen and gain leadership skills
  • Grow personally and professionally by engaging with people from different backgrounds and lifestyles
  • Develop a greater sense of self confidence and deepen self awareness of individual strengths and weaknesses
  • Gain a sense of accomplishment by helping other students to get more out of their educational experiences at ASU
  • Participation and credit in an upper-level leadership internship that can be used towards graduation
  • A free single room credit each semester (may have to share bath with suite/floor mates) *a meal plan is required, but not provided

Total compensation package may impact your financial aid award; check with Financial Aid counselor for more info.

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Recruitment Process:

Interested applicants need to complete and submit a FYRE Paraprofessional Application. Applicants should reference the checklists that are included in the downloadable application packet. The completed application and materials should be submitted to the Learning Resource Center at Palo Verde West on or before the application deadline Friday March 7, 2008.
For questions please contact Jennifer Sorenson with First Year Residential Experience at 480-965-6321 or by e-mail at Jennifer.Sorenson@asu.edu

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Selection process

The selection process will begin the week following spring break and continue until all positions are filled.  Applicants will be notified by letter before the end of this semester regarding their selection status and paraprofessional position appointment for the upcoming academic year. 

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Training

FYRE Paraprofessionals will participate in a 2 to 4 day training session prior to the beginning of Fall semester in August.   Paraprofessionals will also participate in an upper-level leadership internship course throughout the academic year. 
Participation in the training and leadership course will equip Paraprofessionals with knowledge and information to assist them in excelling in their influential role. Some of the topics included in the Paraprofessional training and leadership course include:

  • Exploring issues First Year Students face
  • Communication/Listening Skills
  • Ethical Decision Making and Problem Solving
  • Diversity/Multicultural Awareness
  • Working in the Residence Halls
  • Leadership Styles and Personality Styles
  • Programming and Team Building
  • Portfolio creation
  • Proposal writing

More information about the course line number and course content regarding the leadership internship will be provided upon hire.

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Download Application forms and resources