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Staff News
Getting To Know You
Julio "Joey" Ramos and Paul Ayala (AKA Paulie Dangerous)
Joey's Job Description:
Paul's Job Description:
Background: Joey: I owe so much to UTSA. I started working for UTSA in 1998 as an orientation leader. I got promoted (I couldn’t turn down a pay increase to $6.75/hour) in 1999 to the position of Student Coordinator. My first professional job was with the Admissions office from 2000-2001. I worked as an admissions counselor and my territory was South Texas. I was a road warrior! I then went to work at Our Lady of the Lake from 2001-2006. I loved it, but it was time for a change. I have been with OTS since 2006. Paul: I began working for OTS as an Orientation Leader in 2003. I became the Assistant Director in 2006. As great as orientation is, I felt like something was missing. That’s when I discovered magic. Describe your job: Paul: I think a common assumption is that my job takes place in the summer; however, most of my job takes place during the academic year. From September through May I am meeting with the many constituents that have a vested interest in orientation and our many partners that make orientation possible. Implementing the orientation programs in the summer is the easy part. Especially when you have an Asheligh Dinkins, my student coordinator, who can virtually run the program herself. And while she is running the program, I get to practice magic.
Joey: The greatest job one could ever have! Seriously, I get to interact with energetic people on a daily basis. Our department hosts close to 7,000 people in the summer months, and yet we seem to pull it off relatively easily. During orientation seasons you can find me talking and interacting with parents of our new students. During off peak times, I am trying to beef up our parent association programming plus get our OL’s trained for the next season. In between all that, I have co-workers (such as Paul) who are trying to distract me and keep me from doing my work. What is the most unusual job related case you have worked on? Paul: Joey and I once worked with an angry godfather. He made us an offer we couldn’t refuse!
What job skills do you use most often? Joey: Communication, humor, understanding, analyzing, problem solving Paul: Communication - I work with over 30 different departments and offices that have a vested interest in orientation. We all have our needs and wants and putting those in a format that increases the student experience requires a lot of communication. Fun - After all that communication, I have to have fun and laugh. Fun is a job skill we sometimes neglect. If you can't find time to have fun at work you are going to go crazy. I make sure to have a lot of fun. How do you unwind? Paul: After orientation or a magic show, I relax with Frank Sinatra, a cigar, and hitting golf balls. Only one more thing makes that statement perfect, but I let you decide what that it is. Joey: I like to go to the Rec. Center (shout out to the rec staff!) and lose myself in their fine facility. I enjoy all types of sports and enjoy watching them on TV. You can usually find my TV set on ESPN or some sports related show. Spending time with family and friends is high on my list as well. Not to mention walking around campus and enjoying the talent. What advice would you give to other Student Affairs staff? Paul: Live the Dream! It is a blessing to wake up everyday and have the ability to make a difference in a young person’s life. We are all living the dream. Joey and Paul can be contacted at Orientation & Transition Programs UC 1.0040; phone (210) 458-4724
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