Many people ask what Head PAAs are looking for in each of their PAA college teams. The answer to that question varies from college to college and is also dependent on what time of year and the advising demands of that time. But, where we can find similarities, is in qualities we want our “ideal” PAA to have.

An “ideal” PAA:

• Actively develops ideas to further academic advising at the college and university level
• Sees their own role as broader than “a schedule planner” and embraces advising as mentoring on a university-wide level
• Has a general familiarity with university graduation requirements
• Takes the initiative to meet students within the college and is available to meet with them throughout the year
• Is visible, involved, and active as a member of their college
• Makes an effort to keep up with the most recent developments in academic policies and requirements
• Knows where to look for resources pertaining to all questions academic
• Consults appropriate resources when approaching a new or unfamiliar query.
• Is familiar with the resources of various campus offices including but not limited to:
  • Office of Fellowships and Undergraduate Research
  • Center for Career Development
  • International Programs/Study Abroad
  • Leadership Rice
• Is aware of university-wide advising-related events such as
  • Career expo
  • Study abroad fair
  • Research opportunity fair
  • Major Affair
• Attends campus-wide and college-specific PAA meetings
• Maintains open communication with the Head PAAs and other college PAAs about progress on assigned projects and student questions
• Participates in and helps organize college events such as
  • Academic Planning Session
  • I Know What You Did Last Summer
• Knows the college’s Divisional Advisors and is familiar with the divisions they each advise
• Is comfortable using and explaining online resources including
  • Rice Academic Advising website
  • Esther
  • Course Catalog
  • General Announcements
• Is familiar with the location of the Office of Academic Advising and knows what resources to find there

-Megan Johnson, Head PAA for Hanszen

We asked veteran O-Week PAAs who have also served as O-Week Advisors about their experience in these two important, but very different O-week roles.  They reflected on both the perks and challenges of the two positions to help future PAAs find their best fit.

O-Week PAAs

Perks of the job

• Balancing the perfect mix of fun and responsibility.
• Getting to introduce students to academics at Rice
• Feeling like you are truly contributing to student confidence in academic plans and in their schedule
• Eating great food at OAA/O-Week PAA meetings
• Getting to know the OAA much better and learning how to take advantage of academic advising resources at Rice University
• Getting to work with and learn from other co-O-Week PAAs
• Getting to know Divisional Advisors/esteemed faculty
• Working with all advisors within the college, masters, DAs, OAA, and coordinators
• Getting to hone your PAA skills
• Having students know your name after O-Week
• Becoming an expert on academic requirements for different departments
• Being able to make an impact without being an extrovert

Core differences

• Liberty to move amongst O-Week groups
• Getting the opportunity to get to know and help many more students than as an advisor
• Participating in as many or as few of the O-Week Activities as you like
• Working behind the scenes to ensure that students have all the resources they need to register for classes
• Busier than advisors during advisor training, but more relaxing during O-Week
• Getting enough sleep during O-Week

O-Week Advisor

Perks of the job

• Getting to know your specific group of students very well over the course of the week
• Getting to know and work with your co-advisors and coordinators
• More relaxing during training than during O-Week
• Orienting students to social life within the college and university
• Being a college spirit leader (college cheers, balloon fight, etc.)

Core differences

• Having a greater arts and crafts role
• Getting limited sleep during O-week (morning meetings, late night food runs, etc.)
• Having total responsibility for your 8 students (waking them up in the morning, getting them where they need to be, etc.)
• Having to go to all meetings during O-Week
• Participating in all O-Week events with your new students

Advice from Ginny Johnson, (2010 O-week PAA, 2011 O-week Advisor, 2012 O-week Coordinator): “I would encourage all potential O-Week PAAs/advisors to seriously take time to consider their strengths & weaknesses. Additionally, ask them why they want to be apart of O-Week and what role they see themselves fitting. Being an O-Week PAA was one of the best experiences that I have had at Rice. However, it is time consuming and challenging at times. It requires that you be organized, perceptive, friendly, and approachable! Both are great roles to have during O-Week!”

Hope this helps! We look forward to meeting our 2012 O-week PAAs and Alternates in the upcoming weeks.