It is a job that takes guts, glory, and determination. Some may call us superhuman, but to ourselves, we are simply known as "tour guides". We go to work every day with a smile on our faces and school spirit in our hearts. We shake hands, kiss babies and show youngsters and their parents how great our school really is.
The tour guide life is a good one. Joining the strong platoon of tour guides creates friendships that will last a lifetime. Changing lives really brings people together. There's a feeling of being official with business cards and name tags but, the lessons that you learn are much less material. You learn how to speak elegantly regarding otherwise uncomfortable college issues and learn to feel comfortable in front of sometimes awkward audiences. Being the face that those on your tour equate to your university accompanies some pressure, but never more than a tour guide can handle. You learn a sense of professionalism that your peers may not gain for some time. As a tour guide, I have become a more confident leader as well as a better public speaker.
I have been a campus tour guide for almost a year now and it has been a great experience. You have the power to make or break someone's visit. There's no better feeling than when you see a kid you gave a tour to on campus the next year. Sometimes they remember you and wave, shyly smile, and some just keep walking, but in your mind, you know that they're there in part because of you.
