Residential Advisors

Coordinate activities in resident facilities in secondary school and college dormitories, group homes, or similar establishments. Order supplies and determine need for maintenance, repairs, and furnishings. May maintain household records and assign rooms. May assist residents with problem solving or refer them to counseling resources.

What They Do

Residential advisors serve as live-in staff members who create safe and supportive living environments in dormitories, group homes, and other residential facilities. They spend their days building relationships with residents, organizing social and educational programs, and responding to various situations that arise in communal living spaces. Their work includes conducting regular floor meetings, planning events that foster community engagement, and performing nightly rounds to ensure building security and resident wellbeing. When conflicts emerge between roommates or residents face personal challenges, residential advisors provide initial support and connect individuals with appropriate campus or community resources.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(masters)Harvard University, MA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Walden University, MN

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Capella University, MN

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(grad-cert)Fresno Pacific University, CA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(masters)Fresno Pacific University, CA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)University of Georgia, GA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Harvard University, MA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Indiana State University, IN

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Indiana University-Bloomington, IN

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Carson-Newman University, TN

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Florida Atlantic University, FL

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Governors State University, IL

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)East Texas A&M University, TX

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Brigham Young University, UT

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Fordham University, NY

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Hampton University, VA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Boise State University, ID

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)George Washington University, DC

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Duquesne University, PA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Boston University, MA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Auburn University, AL

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)American International College, MA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Georgia State University, GA

Student Counseling and Personnel Services(doctoral)Idaho State University, ID

Related Careers

Other occupations in Personal Care & Service