One of the most important aspects of your job as an SOC is communicating with your groups. There are several avenues you can utilize: 1) your monthly newsletters. These are sometimes the only communication you will have for some of your groups. Be intentional about the updates and information you want to make your groups aware of. 2) Large Campus events (ie Bazaar). Your face-to-face interactions with groups is often limited as an SOC. Utilizing events such as the Bazaar allows SOC to see exactly who you are and put a face to a name! 3) Direct email. Don't be afraid to reach out to groups individually, whether it is to deal with a specific situation in that group or just to make yourself known to them.
The workload of an SOC varies week by week. There are times (especially in the beginning of the year) where you will be working close to 15 hours a week. However, there are also times in the year where a lack of campus-wide events or administrative deadlines can have you only working 5 hours a week. Utilize these low hour time periods to catch up on work (both personal and related to being an SOC). Managing your time is one of the most important ways you will find success in the SOC role--it is not one that tolerates procrastination.
Apart of being an SOC also involves weekly tasks. These range from responding to emails sent to the Student Organizations email; approving event requests; and approving position requests. SOCs are required to sign up for them. When signing up, make sure you choose tasks that are do-able given your other personal/academic commitments The same goes for projects. Also, you're encouraged to create your own projects to address specific areas where you see change is needed. The most successful projects are those with passionate SOCs working on them. Make sure to let us know if you have a project idea!
You are a resource for student groups on campus. It is important that you take the time to stay updated on policy changes and other related news that affects student groups--whether it be funding deadlines, changes in group registration, and other announcements from the Office of Student Affairs. That being said, do not feel like you have to know everything--you just need to know where you can find out about it.
One of the most rewarding parts of being an SOC is watching and assisting in the birth of new groups. Approach your various benchmark meetings with compassion and enthusiasm. Trust and feeling as if the SOC is invested in their success is what makes for the most fruitful SOC-Student Org relationships. It is easy to tell when an individual is not invested. Remember, your work is helping shape the student landscape at Yale. It shouldn't be taken lightly!
