7 Things That Made my Student Staff Experience Unforgettable

by Ena Kandel, former Student Staff in Student Housing

I still remember walking into my Student Housing staff interview, a little nervous and not quite sure what to expect. I had just started my life in Canada and at Trent, and I was totally unsure of what the future held. That’s when I met Montana, my supervisor– calm and confident. At the time, I didn’t know where this role would take me, but over the months, I gained valuable lessons about communication, content strategy, and creativity.  What started as a part-time student job turned into an experience that helped me grow in ways I didn’t anticipate. 

From August to April, I worked as a Recruitment Assistant in Student Housing. I designed posters, helped promote open houses, and even got to represent Trent at the Ontario Universities’ Fair. But what made this experience truly meaningful wasn’t just the tasks – it was the environment working with Trent’s Housing team. 

Here are 7 things that made this more than just a job: 

A Welcoming Start That Set the Tone

Right from our very first team training session, my manager created a space where I felt welcomed and excited to contribute. I still remember one of her first sessions on student staff training week about Trent’s brand awareness, especially how she broke down the “Z-line” idea for poster design. Those concepts changed how I looked at visual storytelling. 

One of my biggest takeaways from this role was developing my communication style at work. Weekly check-ins with my manager helped me track my progress, stay on top of deadlines, and receive timely feedback. A flexible work structure allowed me to plan, execute, and refine my idea – all while feeling supported but independent. 

Training That Sparked Creativity

The presentation during our first-week orientation wasn’t just informative – it was fun. It showed me how to communicate in ways that truly connect. That early spark gave me the confidence to think outside the box with every piece I designed. Whether it was designing an event poster or filming a reel, I felt more confident bringing creativity and strategy together. 

Freedom to Be Creative (And Be Me)

One of the best parts of this role? Being trusted. What started as me working with simple templates for posters slowly evolved into so much more. Over time, I found myself brainstorming content ideas, filming reels, creating videos, and working closely with residence students, dons, and staff to bring those ideas to life. 

I loved the creative freedom I had – from capturing fun moments in Residence Life to turning those memories into engaging social media content. I didn’t just create designs, I created stories that connected with students and showcased life at Trent Residence in a fun, relatable way. My work contributed to boosting engagement to thousands of people; helping future students see themselves at Trent made the work even more fulfilling. 

A Seat at the Table

I wasn’t just “the student staff”; my manager made space for me to be part of big things, like representing Trent at the Ontario Universities’ Fair and participating in important sessions or webinars with students. Whether it was sharing my own experience with future students or contributing to behind-the-scenes initiatives, I always felt trusted and included.  

Real-World Skills

From filming reels and crafting captions to writing an email, I was able to apply my creativity in fun and relevant ways. Every brainstorming session taught me something new. While I worked on designing posters, writing captions, and creating reels, I also got the chance to collaborate with a wide range of people. I worked closely with fellow student staff, Residence Life Dons, the Community Housing Coordinator, and even students living in residence to bring content ideas to life. 

Whenever I had a reel idea, I connected with the Dons to help reach out to students living in residence who might want to be a part of it. The Housing Coordinator played a big role in making this process smooth, helping me get the necessary support or approvals I needed. I also collaborated with other student staff, featuring them in reels, which made the whole content creation process more fun and dynamic. 

This experience really taught me how to connect my creativity with communication, teamwork, and planning – the skills that I know will stay with me long after this role.  

Mentorship That Was Meaningful

One of the things I’m most proud of from this role is how much I grew through feedback. Every week in our catch-ups, I had the chance to discuss my ideas, reflect on my work, and receive suggestions for improvement. 

I took every piece of feedback as an opportunity to level up my skills, whether it was tweaking a poster layout, refining a reel to match the Trent brand, or adjusting the tone of a caption. Over time, I became more confident in not just creating content but creating content that was intentional, aligned, and engaging. 

Looking back, I can see how that feedback helped me develop a creative eye and attention to detail.  

A Work Culture That Felt Like Home

What made this role truly unforgettable was the supportive environment I got to be a part of at Trent Housing. Right from the start, from my very first training session, I felt welcomed, guided, and encouraged. What I’ll remember most isn’t just the posters or events – it’s the feeling. The feeling of being supported and genuinely cared for. And that’s rare. This experience didn’t just give me skills – it gave me memories and a sense of belonging that I’ll always carry with me.    

Ena Kandel completed the Master in Management program in Spring 2025, specializing in Strategic Change Management. She is currently doing her placement at TD Bank as a National Sales and Client Education Intern. In the future, Ena hopes to continue her journey in the communications and public relations field — creating meaningful stories, building connections, and helping brands engage authentically with their audience.