Engagement Associate at Columbia/Barnard Hillel

As an Engagement Associate at Columbia/Barnard Hillel, your main responsibilities include conducting one-on-one engagements with students, helping them connect with Jewish life on campus, and fostering relationships with those who may be under engaged. You'll regularly spend time on campus, staff community-wide events like Kraft Shabbat Dinners, and work closely with both the Engagement Team and the broader Student Life Team to ensure that every Jewish student feels included and valued.

To qualify for the Engagement Associate position at Columbia/Barnard Hillel, you need a Bachelor's degree and up to three years of relevant work experience. A strong passion for relationship-building and excellent communication skills are essential, along with a commitment to Hillel’s pluralistic vision of Jewish life. An entrepreneurial approach to engaging students and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are also critical for success in this role.

As an Engagement Associate at Columbia/Barnard Hillel, you'll engage under engaged students through personalized outreach, casual meetings over coffee or snacks, and creating informal gatherings. You'll proactively identify students who may need support or encouragement to participate in Jewish communal life, helping them connect with resources and forging meaningful connections to ensure they feel at home in campus life.

Working as an Engagement Associate at Columbia/Barnard Hillel comes with competitive salary ranging from $50,000-$55,000, depending on experience. Additionally, you will receive a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, generous vacation time, parental leave, and professional development opportunities. You'll work in a supportive environment among dedicated colleagues who are committed to your success.

The Engagement Associate position at Columbia/Barnard Hillel is a full-time role. This position requires occasional work during evenings, weekends, and Jewish holidays, as you actively participate in campus events and outreach to engage students meaningfully in Jewish life.

To build relationships as an Engagement Associate, I prioritize open communication and active listening. I believe in meeting students where they are, understanding their unique experiences, and making an effort to connect over shared interests and values. My goal would be to create a safe and welcoming environment that encourages students to share their thoughts and experiences.

I would employ a variety of strategies, such as hosting informal gatherings where students can connect in a relaxed atmosphere, conducting one-on-one meetings to understand their needs and interests better, and collaborating with student leaders to create programs that excite and resonate with them. Ideally, engagement should feel personal and tailored to each student's journey.

In challenging conversations, I would approach the situation with empathy and patience, ensuring that I listen actively and validate their feelings. Understanding their perspectives is crucial, and I would strive to provide support or connect them with appropriate resources. My aim would be to foster an open dialogue that facilitates trust and encourages personal growth.

Certainly! I previously organized a 'Meet Your Neighbor' event where students could meet fellow students living in their dorms over snacks and games. This initiative not only helped break the ice among students but also encouraged them to explore community among those they might not have interacted with otherwise, significantly boosting attendance at subsequent events.

Inclusivity is a priority for me. I would actively seek diverse perspectives by engaging with various student groups and ensuring that events are accessible and welcoming to all. Furthermore, I would create marketing materials that reflect the diverse community of students at Columbia/Barnard Hillel, ensuring that all feel represented and encouraged to participate.

The most important quality for an Engagement Associate is an authentic passion for building relationships. Being approachable and genuinely interested in others’ stories helps create a welcoming environment where students feel valued and inspired to get involved. This relational quality is key in creating lasting connections.

Balancing multiple responsibilities requires good organizational skills and prioritization. I would use tools like calendars and task lists to keep track of events and student meetings, ensuring that I'm allocating time effectively. Flexibility is also crucial, as spontaneous opportunities to engage may arise that I would want to incorporate into my schedule.

Hillel's mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish students so they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. It envisions a world where students are inspired to make enduring commitments to Jewish life and learning. I'm passionate about this mission as it aligns with my desire to cultivate community and support meaningful experiences for students.

Success can be assessed through both quantitative and qualitative measures. I would track participation rates at events, gather student feedback through surveys, and monitor engagement in follow-up activities. Additionally, establishing strong relationships and seeing students take initiative in their own engagement efforts would serve as indicators of success.

I am drawn to work as an Engagement Associate at Columbia/Barnard Hillel because of my passion for fostering community among Jewish students. I admire Hillel's mission and its commitment to inclusivity and student empowerment. I believe that my skills in relationship-building and my desire to make a positive impact on students' lives align perfectly with the goals of this role.