Having a job can be brutal. However, if you can have a job where you get to learn, meet new people, and be as enthusiastic as possible wouldn’t you want to take it? Here are 20 reasons why being an Orientation Leader is one of the best college campus jobs:
1. You’ll get to learn way more about your school than you knew before.
Being an OL, you’ll need to know a lot about your campus because the first-year students are going to ask you plenty of questions. I’m talking like 5 questions per minute deal. Before the Orientation Sessions, you go through training where you will learn the ins and outs of your campus.
2. You get to bring out your inner arts and crafts diva.
From posters to clipboards, they're plenty different projects in the Orientation set up process. There’s signage, clipboard decoration, room posters, a poster all about you, and well yeah, there’s a lot. It’s fun no matter what your level of creativity is at!
3. It’s time for your leadership seed to bloom!
Everyone is a leader. Maybe you haven’t had your moment of leadership, or you haven’t found that opportunity that allows you to seek your strengths and weaknesses. Being an OL is your place to find out what you’re good at, what kind of leader you can be, progress on your current leadership strengths, and work on the qualities that may not be your strong point.
4. Weekends were meant for exploring.
Trainings and sessions are Monday through Friday so we’re going to need something to do on the weekends. From beach trips to all day Disney marathons we’re making memories on the weekends.
5. Free shirts!!!!
This is what college is all about. These 100% cotton t-shirts are great for an 8am tired college student look, or the everyday loungewear style. No, seriously. T-shirts are wonderful and tailored to that year’s Orientation theme!
6. Getting to re-create the Orientation Experience you want!
Some people loved their first-year orientation experience so much they want to make sure others have that same amazing experience. Then, there are those of us that didn’t get the opportunity to go to orientation so you become an OL to absorb the greatness that is orientation. Then, there are students that didn’t have the best experience at their program so they become an OL to recreate the best experience possible for someone else. No matter your experience, you get to assure someone else loves their new school, which brings me to my next point.
7. You’re the first impression of college to first-years.
The first impression, is a lasting impression. You want to set a great example so that these students are counting down the summer days till move-in like it’s Christmas! College is going to be their second home, and it’s an honor that you will be their bridge from high school to college.
8. You're going to be someone’s first college friend!
It’s so rewarding to know that these first-years are going to look up to you, and sometimes want to be just like you. They’ll message you all summer about what they should bring, or what it’ll be like, and sometimes just to ask how you’re doing. During the school year, they’ll invite you to sit with them at lunch, or go to a Late Night Lancer-- it’s a heart-warming feeling. But, best of all is getting to see the first-years you welcomed into the school adjusting to college life, finding their friends, and making memories.
9. You will learn every icebreaker known to man….
This is not a joke. You’ll break ice better than global warming after you’ve gone through orientation training. It’s important to know the name games and energizers so we can help first-years get rid of those first day butterflies and get to know other people! It’s fun watching students go from “why are we doing these games” to “can we play Birdie on a Perch again???”
Disclaimer: Birdie on a Perch is a high-risk energizer and I do not recommend for the first day.
10. Cards Against Humanity: the official game of the Orientation Staff.
I can guarantee you that after a long day of training, or after a session, you can find a good majority of the staff in the lounge playing this twisted card game for hours. So if you like Cards Against Humanity, being an OL is the job for you.
11. Family Dinners, enough said.
Roughly 25 college students in one kitchen grabbing food before it’s gone. You can guarantee there’s music, delicious food, and unlimited laughing. After dinner, we play Cards Against Humanity.
12. It’s Ropes Course Day!!!!!
This happens to be one of my favorite days during training. What happens when you put 24 orientation leaders in the woods with ropes? The Ropes Course allows you to exercise your leadership abilities, bond with the staff, and enjoy a day outside. They're good times, they're rough times; however, overall it’s a memory making day.
13. Orientation Leader introduction videos
What better way to introduce the staff at the orientation sessions than through a fun video! For those of us that aren’t very good actors (a.k.a me) this is our time to shine!
14. If you didn’t get that summer body, you will now!
If you love your Fitbit or Apple Watch, this is also a job for you. You’re going to play icebreakers that will have you running around circles, jumping on people’s backs, or jumping all around. You’re constantly going to be moving throughout the day, and for some reason everyone develops a love for the gym after a day of training. During one orientation session day, I walked almost 22,00 steps. Get yourself a watch, and apply now!
15. You’ll notice an increase in social media followers.
When OL training starts, everyone starts throwing out their usernames and eventually the entire staff is connected through every platform. Then comes the Orientation sessions. First-years will want to follow you to see what you’ve been up to in college, and just to get to know you a little more.
16. Finding out your Orientation Leader Partner is almost as exciting as the Bachelorette.
This is definitely the most anticipated day of training. Seeing as you’ll have a lot of students in your group, it’s best to have a partner during the sessions. So, throughout training your bosses and Co-Directors will look at who you will possibly work the best with. You’ll have to solve some crossword puzzles, and scramble some words but you’ll meet your partner at a specific location and then run for your life to the football field to claim your team color. Please be sure to wear running shoes, and comfortable clothing.
17. “Backpack, backpack, loaded up with all the things that you might think you’ll need.”
As an Orientation Leader, you’ll get a snazzy new backpack to hold all the materials you’ll need during sessions as you are ALWAYS on the go. From your clipboard to possible snacks, your backpack is always there for you, right on your back. And yes, you get to keep it.
18. Validations will make you feel like you’re a superhero, but will also make you cry.
You’re going to get an opportunity to write all of the wonderful people on staff a letter validating the person they are. To this day, I read mine when I’m having a rough day or I just want to remanence on how great it is to be an OL. Those letters really make you feel the difference you’re making on not only the first-years, but the staff you get to work with.
19. You get to work with an amazing Pro-Staff.
Pro-Staff are your bosses. When you think of the word ‘boss’ you probably don’t get the best of vibes. But, during my experience as an OL I had the best bosses I could ever ask for. From teaching me life lessons, to taking selfies at the most random times, to being the most genuine down to Earth people, you’ll want to be an OL every single summer just to work with them.
20. “There are some people in life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little better.” –unknown
I promise, you are going to meet life long friends in this experience. The memories I have created while being an OL are irreplaceable. I have learned a little something from everyone, laughed a lot more, and improved the person I am just my meeting them. From sing-alongs, to bonfires I wouldn’t trade it all for a full ride to college (and that says a lot).
