Becoming a Coord

+ What made you want to become more involved in OASES? And what makes OASES different from the other clubs you have been a part of?

Hannah: I wanted to be more involved in OASES because it was something I looked forward to every week. I loved going to site because it was an opportunity to help the students learn and grow, as well as bond with them! I was also able to become good friends with people on my day, so going to site with them was a chance to hang out with my friends while serving the community. OASES is different in that we’re able to foster a welcoming environment for connecting with others, not only for the elementary school students, but also between mentors. Mentors are able to get to know each other better because we all go to site and work together.

Angela: I was inspired to take the next step and apply to be a coordinator for OASES because I truly admire everything the organization stands for. In working behind-the-scenes and planning day-to-day activities and events, I get to exercise my passion for improving environments for elementary school students, and all of the amazing memories and friendships I’ve been able to make along the way have just been the cherry on top of the invaluable impacts I’ve been fortunate enough to have with the club. For me, one of the things that has differentiated OASES from other on-campus organizations has been the community. As cliche as it sounds, I haven’t met a group of students on campus quite like the OASES coordinator team! Although we all come from different backgrounds and majors, the coord team never ceases to be there for each other, and I honestly feel lucky every day that I get to work alongside my friends under the common goal of improving environments for elementary school students. At Berkeley, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the stress that comes with academics, jobs, and life in general, and I’ve learned that amidst everything that comes your way, you should hold on tightly to the things that make you feel at home. Applying to be a coord was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Cal, and I hope it can help you find your home away from home too! 🙂

+ Many mentors worry about the two tutorial days per week commitment; how did you adjust to it and find a workable schedule while going to site twice a week?

Anthony: The two days a week commitment is definitely something to consider. With any course load I believe that it is definitely possible to fit it into your schedule. My classes like most offer multiple lecture times. All I had to do was choose classes that did not have class time after 3:30 on two days. It is relatively easy to find the perfect schedule and I believe that it isn’t considered extra work if you enjoy working with kids and a great group of Coords and mentors. By having more work to do and being responsible for making an impact in the Oakland community makes time management crucial and therefore would decrease time wasted on other things like video games or YouTube or Netflix.

Robin: Although I was worried at first, knowing that I would need to do two tutorial days ahead of times definitely helped. Instead of having small gaps throughout the day for studying, I made sure that my classes were closer together. Not only did this make more time for tutorial days, but it also let me organize my schedule better! I didn’t have to go to random classes at 9 am and then another class at 4 pm. Instead, I now only had a block of classes around noon every day, and I got to spend my afternoon with OASES while contributing to a cause I care about and love. When midterms or other events come up, every coord is always there to back each other up, so with a little bit of planning as well as teamwork, planning a workable schedule around two tutorial days a week was definitely not too big of a challenge.

Sabrina: I was really worried about the commitment about going twice a week also, but once I became a coord it became a lot easier because I kept my OASES schedule in mind while building my schedule for the semester. I like my schedule to be pretty balanced throughout the week, so I put in my day and site preferences for the days where I had less class/work to do! That way, I was never super tired one day and also had enough energy to spend with the kids. Also, once you get used to going twice a week, you kinda figure out when you can and have to do your class work so it becomes a lot easier to manage.

Rucha: I’d already been going to tutorial for one day, how hard could a second day be?, I thought. Honestly, it was more time, more work, more energy than I expected. But the funny thing was that when I came back on each day, I had a good feeling, like good tired. I went to LEAP on Tuesday, and I played and worked with the kids. Then I saw them again on Friday. We finished unfinished conversations, interrupted games, really long homework problems; and it was just really nice to see the kids twice as often. It was like I had a not-boring-all-technical-homeworks-and-quizzes-riddled class, twice a week. I treat OASES like a class I picked not because it’s a pre-req, or I need it to graduate, or Letters and Sciences wants me to be a supposedly well-rounded person, but rather a class that I thought would be interesting and fun! And it is so rewarding, it really is! to see the kids twice as often, once to say hello, and again to say see ya later!

+ Another worry many mentors have is that they aren’t a “good enough” mentor to apply to be a coordinator – they think they haven’t attended enough events or aren’t an effective/enthusiastic tutor. If you felt similarly before applying, what made you decide to apply and how was it becoming a coordinator?

Carrie: During my first semester in OASES, I thought that the coordinators were perfect mentors, and I didn’t think I could ever be on their level. Even though I really enjoyed being in OASES and I wanted to become a coordinator, I didn’t apply because I didn’t feel confident that I would be chosen to join the coord team. I felt like I wasn’t a good mentor; I had a really busy schedule that semester so I didn’t put in much effort into bonding with everyone on my day, and I also was often late to the RSF and went to very few OASES events. Additionally, I had never had a leadership position on Cal, so I didn’t know if I was ready to take on more responsibility. However, during my second semester in OASES, I decided to apply to be a coordinator, despite all my shortcomings. Even though I wasn’t the best mentor on paper, I think the coordinators recognized my passion and how willing I was to improve myself and contribute to OASES. I’m really grateful that I got over my initial doubts about applying, and my confidence and leadership skills have grown a lot since becoming a coordinator.

Bentre: Not being “good enough” was definitely a concern that I had when considering applying to become a coord, and it was the main thing holding me back from actually sending in my application. I didn’t at all feel like I was an exceptional mentor, in fact, if anything I felt like I was quite the opposite. It was my first semester as a mentor, and I didn’t really display anything in particular in that semester that made me stand out at all from the rest of the mentors on my day. On top of that, I didn’t go to any of the OASES events (OAN, EE, VAD, etc.) outside of my time at site, which I thought for sure would disqualify me from the pool of applicants. When I brought these concerns up with one of the site coords on my day, however, she encouraged me to apply after assuring me that none of the things that I thought were issues would hinder my chances of getting accepted. And after being a coord for some time now, I can safely say that my initial fears that I thought would hold me back as a coordinator have been thoroughly dispelled.

+ Considering your other commitments and extracurriculars, how do you find a good balance between school, OASES, and everything else?

Robin: When I first applied to be a coordinator, I was worried about adding OASES onto my workload especially because I recently got hired as a study group leader for Chemistry, which increased my hours from 5 hours a week to 13 hours a week. I would say that the hardest part of balancing work with OASES was scheduling. But once that was out of the way, I found out that OASES became one of the most important part of my schedule because I was so stressed from working and doing everything else. It was a good time for me to take a step back from grades or finances and just spend time doing what I love most with other people who shared the same passion for kids!

Allison: Honestly, finding a balance can sometimes be hard. Other than school and OASES I also volunteer at the hospital and I am also part of a lion dancing and martial arts team back in San Jose. And because it was New Years season I had to go back to perform during the weekends. However even with all of that I didn’t find OASES too hard to manage. For me, since I care about the organization so much, any OASES “work” I had to do didn’t really feel like work. Because it’s something I’m passionate about and because I know that my hard work will provide a better educational and meaningful experience for the kids, I find any work I do for OASES very rewarding and not super stressful. You’ll also be in a coord team of about 16 coords and have them to turn to and rely on if the workload ever gets too stressful. We’re all there for each other and if there’s ever a time where you’re swamped with work your fellow coords will always be willing to lend a hand and help out! Communication is key! All in all, if you love it, you’ll make time for it. 🙂

Camille: Being a working student and a coord for OASES, things can get pretty busy especially as the semester goes on. My first couple weeks as a coord last semester were a real adjustment period because I was juggling being a first time coord and my job at Main Stacks. But once you get the hang of things, and figure out your own routines and schedules, it becomes easier to prioritize the different things you need to do. Whether it’s sending out weekly e-mails, making time for work, or studying for midterms as the semester goes on you realize how much time you need to set aside for OASES stuff and school stuff. And even with all that time management sometimes things can get overwhelming, but I know that I can always rely on my fellow coords to help me out because we’re all a part of a community that really looks out for each other ❤

Kristy: Being a coordinator seems like a lot of hours and work, and to be honest, it is. But the great thing is that it does not feel like work. Not only are you working for kids that you have gotten to know and care for through mentorship but you are working with fellow people who are also just as passionate about the cause. They become your closest friends and the memories you share together will last a lifetime. Going into my first semester as a coordinator, I was so scared that I wouldn’t be good at it or I would be so busy with classes and everything or I would not click with the rest of the coord team. But all those worries went away when I started doing the work and planning the events. Balancing anything can be hard, but when it is something worthwhile and meaningful like OASES, it gets easier. Becoming a coordinator was probably the best thing I ever chose to do in college, and I would recommend it to anyone even thinking about joining!

+ As mentors who applied to be coordinators after your first semester in OASES, what made you want to commit to the organization so quickly?

Angela: When I was a mentor during my first semester in OASES, I realized I had a passion for education and teaching. I enjoyed the experience so much. Just being able to talk with and tutor the kids during one afternoon was usually the highlight of my week. I also noticed that I really liked talking with the coordinators on my day and with my fellow mentors. We shared all sorts of life stories and struggles and laughed about the silliest things. When applications came out to apply to be a coord, I didn’t hesitate to submit one. I’m usually a person who spends a lot of time and thought into making a decision, but applying to be an OASES coord was something that I decided to do right away. Somehow, I felt that OASES was my happy place–and now, having been in the organization for about two years, it still is. I love OASES’s community, values, and work. I learned to grow in this organization, and I have met all kinds of great people in OASES. I still get to visit the kids each week, and I feel rewarded when I’m working behind-the-scenes in a team to ensure that OASES is a good experience for everyone. In college, I think it’s so important to do something that you are passionate about with the people you enjoy being with. For me, it is OASES. I hope it’s for you too! 🙂

Natalie: I became a mentor for OASES during my first semester of freshman year. I had a difficult time adjusting to college and trying to make friends in my classes, on my floor, and in other clubs. However, the people I met through OASES were the kindest and the most welcoming people I had ever met. It made my time as a mentor much more enjoyable and I would actually look forward to Tuesdays. I wanted to become a coordinator because I wanted to contribute more to an organization that I genuinely enjoyed spending my time in and I wanted to surround myself with others who shared the same passion for the kids as I did.

+ As a rising senior, why did you decide to apply to be more involved in an organization for your last year?

David: I joined OASES my first semester at Berkeley after transferring, in Fall 2016. I had really loved my previous job working at an after-school program back home, and I knew I wanted to find something similar when I got here. Luckily I heard about OASES and attended the info-session, orientation, and then became a mentor, going to tutorial every week as I adjusted to life at Cal. By the middle of my second semester (Spring 2018), I realized that I had spent so much time focusing on schoolwork and proving that I could “make it” through Berkeley’s academics that I hadn’t put much time or efforts towards anything else. Sure, I went to tutorial every week and I really enjoyed it, but I only went once a week and didn’t really try to get to know anyone. I figured that maybe if I put more into it, I would get more out of it, and kind of just applied thinking, “why not?” Fortunately I made it onto the coord team, and I can confidently say that it’s the best decision I’ve made since coming to Berkeley. The work I get to do, the people I’ve met and work with, and all the experiences I’ve gotten to have because of that decision are things that I’ll remember most after leaving here. I hope that if there’s even any part of you that is looking for a community that will welcome you and make you feel at home here, you apply and find what you’re looking for! :))

+ How do you get along with all the other coordinators? How is the work environment?

Angela: As cliche as it sounds, I truly haven’t met a group of students on campus quite like the OASES coordinator team. As a pre-med student, I wouldn’t have expected getting to work so closely with peers majoring in different fields, but I honestly am so thankful that this organization gives me the opportunity to work as part of a team whose friendships I cherish and whose passions I share. Although we all come from different backgrounds and majors, the coord team never ceases to be there for each other — whether it’s to help each other meet deadlines for a committee or to plan a little road trip as a celebration for getting through the semester thus far — and I honestly feel lucky every day that I get to work alongside my friends under the common goal of improving environments for elementary school students. I know that I can always trust other coordinators to be professional and get work done when needed, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that you won’t be able to help but smile when we’re all together. At Berkeley, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the stress that comes with academics, jobs, and life in general, and I’ve learned that amidst everything that comes your way, you should hold on tightly to the things that make you feel at home. The moments that have made me grow in professionalism and camaraderie as an OASES coordinator are all memories that I wouldn’t let go of for the world, and each time an experience with this team leaves my heart feeling so full, it inspires me to do everything I can to make others feel the same way. Applying to be a coord was one of the best decisions I’ve made at Cal, and I hope it can help you find your home away from home too! 🙂

Jonathan: Applying to be a coord was a curious time for me. Besides a variety of personal issues I was struggling to deal with, I had also come to a somewhat late realization that most of the people who had encouraged me to apply in the first place were graduating and leaving. But in my past year as a coordinator, I’ve found it almost a ridiculous amount of fun going between my duties as a coordinator and even just hanging out with the other coords. Though it is a lot of work that can ramp up to a high level of stress and pressure, especially when the Life-as-a-Berkeley-Student syndrome kicks in, it helps that I am able to both work with friends and have those same people to rely on and support me in those times. I like to think that there’s something about having the shared goal of working with and bettering the lives of the kids that brings some really amazing people into OASES, and I hope you all seriously consider taking the next step and applying!

Sydney: During my freshman year, I got homesick a lot. The fact that I was 6 hours away from home and couldn’t see my family or friends on a daily basis honestly sucked. Sure I had 30 kids from my high school at Berkeley, but in reality, I felt really lonely. I spent my whole freshman year looking for that “community” everyone talked about finding in college; I joined numerous clubs in search of finding friends that I genuinely loved hanging out with, but it was a lot harder than I expected. Being a coord really provided me with that community I had been searching for. These people became my whole life and I honestly can’t imagine my college experience without them. OASES has provided me with best friends who always have my back; they’ve seen me at my best but also at my worst (ask any of them I’m sure they have a story :’) ). However, through it all they support me and can always put a smile on my face. Even though there’s a lot of responsibilities that come with being a coord, through the help of everyone else, it never seems like that much. We all try our best to make sure that no one is overwhelmed or has more work than they can manage. Ultimately, through the coord team, I’ve not only found a community, but I’ve found a family within Berkeley.

+ What made you want to stay with OASES all this time? And what makes OASES different from the other clubs you have been a part of?

Kevin: OASES was pretty cool. In other clubs, I always felt like an outsider even though I was a part of the club. I found a home in OASES. As for why I stayed, it was because of the experience. I joined OASES and experienced:

Anxiety Struggle Great Friendship Leap to be a Coord Post-wisdom teeth-removal-painkiller-induced haze at Retreat Friendship Question Panic Turning point of my life Fell in Love at Eshleman Cried at a kickback Leap to be a Lead Coord Got Children Still struggling and learning Said goodbye to leaving OASES friends New coord class pretty lit Finally more boys No more anxiety Cuffing month for all Parties ??? It’s almost the end for me! But yours is just starting!

Jimmy: I joined the coordinator team because when I was a mentor, I absorbed the passion that the coordinators exuberated with their efforts in running a successful program for both the children and the mentors. I remember becoming inspired by my Coord-X Danny Yang because of his contributions as a coordinator. I enjoyed working with the children, and I applied to become a coordinator because I wanted to expand my impact on OASES and the children, as well as learn and become a part of a kind and loving community. My 5 semesters as a coordinator (6 total in OASES) have been a blessing to me. Each semester, I have the privilege to be in a team that runs an organization that encouraged many students to attend college and give back to the community. As a coordinator, you partake in an important role in serving as a role-model for the community. You also run an organization that shapes the college journey for hundreds of UC Berkeley students. How great is that! Even though OASES has a time commitment, I feel rewarded and intrinsically motivated. The work you do either directly or indirectly impacts youth who greatly benefit from OASES. Best of all, you see the fruits of your labor: a successful Elementary Event where children smile after they receive their raffle prizes, a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner where mentors share laughs at our jokes in our skit, or watching people grow as mentors and coordinators. Best of all, you have some exceptional people to share these rewards. OASES has plenty of structure, but also an opportunity for creative minds to innovate and succeed. Unlike other organizations, OASES allows you to make a difference while immersing yourself in a warm and supportive community united for a single cause. For these reasons, I return to OASES as a coordinator. Because of my time in OASES, it has made my life more exciting, impactful, and magical, defining my college experience and creating many unforgettable memories I deeply cherish. I encourage you to consider becoming a coordinator because it may shape your college life. Joining OASES was the best decision I have ever made in college.