When anyone asks me why I wanted to become a SOAR Leader it has always been a hard answer. When I ask my freshman self why, it was because it was a summer job. I was going to be able to stay in Springfield for the summer and I was going to make money. Believe it or not, I was not hired that year.

I was upset, but to me it was just another job that I did not get, and I moved on. The next year came around and the application opened again. I asked myself again, why do I want to do this? The answer came easily. I wanted to have one of the best summers of my college years.

I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing all summer. I wanted to spend time with friends, help people, and have an absolute blast. So, I applied again. I was hired and I did have the best summer of my life.

I was able to make connections with faculty on campus, learn more about the Missouri State University community, and interact with the different pillars of the public affairs mission.

I have also made connections with other students that have allowed me to expand my knowledge of different degree programs and clubs and organizations.

The next summer came around, and I once again had an amazing summer as a SOAR Leader. SOAR is not only a job for students to give back to their campus community by welcoming New Bears but is also a job where you meet amazing people and have fun around campus and Springfield.

Applications to become a SOAR Leader close October 21^st! Apply at: https://dosaforms.missouristate.edu/view.php?id=202821

(Mikaela Koehler is a senior, a member of the Pride Band Color Guard, and a SOAR Leader.)