Hey everyone!
These past few months I have been working at my college as a summer Orientation Leader.
What is an Orientation Leader?
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are role models as well as sources of support and information for new first-year and transfer students. They play a major role in facilitating the adjustment of new students and their families to the college community.
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| Me and a fellow OL lookin groovy in our polos and sunglasses! |
At my school, we run 8, 3-Day Orientation Sessions to help students register for classes, adjust to College life, get to know the campus, and meet new people. I've learned a ton of things in this role, and recommend that any seniors graduating from High School and current college students to apply for this on-campus opportunity at some point in their college careers.
- Focus on the fun, and be a little weird!
Summer Jobs and tasks can be challenging-it's important to have fun everyday and make boring situations into fun, exciting ones!
The weird moments are the most memorable and hilarious moments.
2. Teamwork makes the Dream work
...Having a team is the coolest thing in the world!
They are a great source of support, love and joy. There are some jobs that you just can't do on your own-like running a social program for 300+ students, or stuffing thousands of Orientation folders with pamphlets and information.
You need people to depend on that will catch you so you don't fall.
3. Setting attainable goals is extremely important for growth
During training, we were all required to set leadership goals for Orientation. Our supervisors hung the goals all around our office so that we would hold ourselves and each other accountable throughout the summer. It was cool to see ourselves, and to see our peers grow and work towards achieving their goals!
4. It's okay to take baby steps towards a goal...
Some of the goals that we set for ourselves at orientation were huge-many of us sought to improve our communication or group facilitation skills. Taking small steps like interacting with students one-on-one or volunteering to complete an intimidating task were important. Monuments aren't build in one day, and neither are great skills!
5. Icebreakers are the answer to EVERYTHING!
Standing in an awkward group of people? Unsure how to meet someone new? Bored in an information session? Try doing an Icebreaker!
Icebreakers, according to Urban Dictionary, are defined as "something which can break the ice, i.e. something to focus on to start a conversation, in order to prevent any awkwardness in a social situation."
At Orientation, we played Icebreaker games that helped to introduce individuals to a group, push people out of their comfort zones, and induced awkward laughter.
6. Deciding on where to eat with 19 other people can be tough...and also an adventure!
(Also, leftovers are your friend in college.)
My team and I were given a credit card every weekend with a $8 per person budget, and were told to order/cook food to suit every one's needs. Our group was an awesome mix of vegetarians, omnivores and self-proclaimed carnivores. We also had people who liked to eat really plain food and had fruit allergies. However, we were united by the single fact that we all LOVE FOOD.
Ordering food with all of these special limits in mind taught us a lot about compromise, communication, and food preparation. We rose to the challenge, and no one ever went to bed hungry.
7. Selfie Sticks are pretty handy tools!
You never know when you'll need to cram 20+ people into one photo...
When trying to take large group pictures of OLs and Orientation students and College staff, the Selfie Stick became a way of life for us. Soon we were all accustomed to cramming ourselves together in odd positions and angles with a phone suspended above us. It may have looked stupid, but we had a ton of fun, and the pictures will surely be cherished for years to come!
8. It's important to find ways to de-stress
It's okay to treat yourself to a break every now and again.
Working 7 am to 11 pm could be overwhelming. On off days we went hiking, saw movies, explored our College's town and Commons, played Frisbee and remained as active as possible. This was awesome, but sometimes we'd have too much planned on the weekends. Everyone realized quickly how important it is to step back and have some alone-time to chill before work started the following week.
9. Uniforms are easy to "spice up"
Required to wear the same polo and khakis everyday? No problem!
There's nothing a pair of funky socks, brightly colored shoes and glittery headbands can't spruce up!
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| These boots were a great conversation-starter! They matched my uniform (my school colors are blue and gold) and made every one's day alittle brighter! They are the ultimate fun accessory. |
10. On that note...if you're lucky enough to work at a place that has regular "Fun Pants Fridays," then you're lucky enough.
11. There are some dance moves that will just stay with you forever...
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| AKA the Wobble, The "Stanky Leg," and the Sprinkler |
At Orientation, we all became dancers. During the "opening ceremonies" of Orientation, the OLs were introduced to about 600+ students and family members via a 2 minute dance routine. We spent weeks choreographing the perfect dance moves and mashing up songs, and now I can proudly do some sort of modified "whip."
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| The Whip dance move |
12. It's ok to let loose and act a little wacky (even in front of a 600+ audience) :
13. Be open to gaining new skills...whether it's learning to stack 20 glue sticks with chopsticks, discovering the perfect way to make a balloon hat, or developing better communications and interaction skills, there is always something you can take away from a new experience!
14. Office Work and answering phone calls isn't as boring as it sounds...
You can meet really cool people, have really great conversations with families and callers, and learn a lot about your school's wifi capabilities.
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| The Orientation Office Team |
15. Public Speaking can be terrifying, but completely rewarding.
After your speech or introduction is over...there's an incredible feeling of victory:
16. "It's ok to make mistakes, and then to learn from them."-Will the OL
17. Pointing isn't always rude...sometimes it's the only way to give directions and dance fabulously.
18. Live every day with joy
(giant rainbow chairs are a sure-fire way to brighten any one's day!)
...and it's okay to have other emotions and to share your feelings (as my staff learned while watching Inside Out)
19. Awkward photos will make great memories later on...
(See Selfie Stick Section above!)
...Also, Ice Pops are the BEST SNACK EVER (And your staff team may or may not eat 400 of them within a month)
20. It is totally possible that your staff will become your family...
My 2015 Orientation Staff was a wonderful group of people. Together we accomplished some amazing things and made some incredible memories.
I wouldn't trade this past summer with them for the world!
So What?
Basically what I'm trying to say is that Orientation was a job that has brought me a ton of joy, and made me feel like I was using all of my skills and potential. I encourage all of the Girl Scouts looking for jobs next summer to find a position that makes them feel happy and useful.
If you can't find a paying job that you love for the summer, find a volunteer position for a cause you support and do it on the side!
There are so many opportunities to enjoy your summer job-take initiative, believe in yourself, and bring your creativity to the table!
Much love,
Gold Girl Allie
P.S. To learn more about becoming an Orientation Leader, check out your school's website and read this great (and accurate) BuzzFeed article!
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