Ambassadors, tour guides, ushers... No matter what your college calls them, they all get the same job done. Showing prospective high school students and their parents around campus is a role that only certain groups of college students can pull off. Being a college tour guide brings many great learning experiences, the opportunity to meet brand new people, and the chance to be a leader. Here are 15 things that come along with taking on the role of being a tour guide.
1. You never seem to leave the Welcome Center no matter how hard you try.
Instead, you hang around for an extra hour or two.
Recommended for you
2. Your family and friends are always asking how many undergraduate students there are, how many people live on campus, and how you tell visitors how the food tastes.
We have 3,000 students, 75% of students live on campus....
3. You tend to get friend requests and follows from high schoolers who were on your tour.
Ehhhhhhhhh.
4. You are told walking backwards isn't safe, but you catch yourself accidentally doing it sometimes.
We just can't help it sometimes. It comes easily to us.
5. You hate khakis.
Polos, too.
6. The only time you're up at 8 a.m. on a Saturday is for an Open House or Admitted Student Day.
Good morning to you, too.
7. You're the best at smiling and nodding.
It comes with the job.
8. You talk to more parents than you do potential students.
And their sons and daughters hide because they're embarrassed.
9. You make too many corny jokes that actually aren't funny at all.
But people still laugh.
10. Everyone thinks you know every single little fact about the school.
I can't remember everything, people!
11. You know just what to say and when to say it.
Always.
12. You try your best to look more presentable for a tour more than you do for class.
No one wants to come to your school if you look like a hot mess.
13. Your favorite part of giving tours is when someone tells you they're interested in your major.
"Hey, that's my major!"
14. You know a freshman looks familiar, but can't figure out why and then remember later on that you were their tour guide last year.
Lightbulb moment.
15. You love your job.
It's the best job on campus.
