Orientation Leaders (OLs) are full-time, undergraduate students from all class levels at University Park (UP) who serve as group facilitators, resource persons, role models, and ambassadors for Penn State. OLs play a key role in providing a quality transitional experience for all incoming first-year students at UP. At UP, incoming domestic students will participate in a two-day overnight New Student Orientation (NSO) program, while international students will be oriented through a virtual program. Student Orientation and Transition Programs (SOTP) is looking for student leaders who are go-getters, authentic, conscientious, enthusiastic, reflective, open to new challenges, and passionate about serving Penn State and the broader community to help us do this important work.
Benefits:
Orientation Leaders will gain improved work ethic, time management, collaboration, leadership, communication, and public speaking skills. OLs will be supported in their personal and professional development goals which include the potential for letters of recommendation. Orientation Leaders will be supported with competitive student pay at $14/hour, be provided exclusive Penn State NSO apparel, and receive meals when working with small groups on Day 1 of the program.
Responsibilities of Orientation Leaders will include:
- Serving as a positive representative of the Pennsylvania State University
- Acting as a guide and mentor for new students through various NSO activities
- Introducing Penn State and its resources through small and large group presentations, as well as panels, to students and their families
- Leading conversations about the transition from high school to college and life as a Penn Stater
- Welcoming and checking in new students and their families to their orientation program
- Staffing Summer and Fall Welcome events
- Providing additional logistical and programmatic support for transition programs as needed
In addition, all applicants should demonstrate evidence of:
- Professionalism and integrity
- Strong leadership skills
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Eager engagement with all new Penn Staters and their families
- Capacity to respond to questions from students and families about university life with professional honesty
- Empathy and understanding for the diverse needs and backgrounds of new students and their families
- Capability to infuse a sense of joy and fun into work
- Effective collaboration with fellow student leaders to accomplish tasks
- Flexibility and patience, as NSO is a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
Qualifications:
Interested applicants must be current full-time Penn State undergraduate students who plan on being enrolled in the fall 2024 semester, will earn at least 24 cumulative Penn State credits by the end of the spring 2024 semester, and have maintained a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Successful candidates must attend and complete training prior to the start of NSO programming. Satisfactory performance during training is required to continue employment, including demonstrating the embodiment of both Penn State and SOTP values.
Candidates must be in good academic and non-academic standing with the University at the time of application, hire, start of employment, and through the duration of employment. All non-academic misconduct will be reviewed for employment consideration.