UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s Office for Student Orientation and Transition Programs is actively seeking current students interested in joining the 2018 Orientation Team (OTeam) and assisting students new to University Park as they transition to the community.
Twenty-four orientation leaders will be chosen to serve as group facilitators for New Student Orientation (NSO), assisting first-year students and their families. They will also support other transitional programming initiatives that serve transfer, commuter, international and change-of-campus students.
NSO student staff coordinators and former orientation leaders, Jess Heckler and Janet Slay, will be spearheading the search for the 2018 OTeam.
“We’re looking for students from every corner of this campus,” said Heckler, a sophomore from Bedminster, Pennsylvania, who is studying education. “There’s really no perfect fit to be on the OTeam, just be ready to grow as a person and learn a lot about yourself.”
OTeamers will have the opportunity to practice and perfect public speaking and group facilitation skills, and lead conversations on diversity, inclusion and safety. Practicing these skills, in addition to taking a credit-bearing course, will set members of the OTeam up for success during their day-to-day duties at NSO.
Interested students are encouraged to attend an OTeam Information Session either before or after submitting an application. These interactive sessions will provide an explanation of job duties, time commitment during the summer, and the two-credit course students will enroll in upon successful hire.
The Information Sessions will be held:
- Oct. 9, 1:25-2:15 p.m. in HUB 131
- Oct. 11, 5-6 p.m. in HUB 129C
- Oct. 15, 7-8 p.m. in HUB 131
- Oct. 17, 3:05-4 p.m. in HUB 134
- Oct. 24, 4-5 p.m. in HUB 129C
Following the application deadline on Oct. 27, individual interviews will be conducted to finalize the OTeam.
“Seeing the excitement of new students as they begin this transition into University life is contagious,” said Slay, a Baltimore, Maryland, native who is studying psychology. “You can tell they’re happily anticipating beginning this next chapter of their lives from the moment NSO begins — and being a part of that is inspiring.”
Members of the OTeam are expected to remain in State College between May 9 and Aug. 20, with an NSO hiatus taking place from July 21 to Aug. 9.
Applications are available at psu.jobs. Students are encouraged to visit oteam.psu.edu to learn more about the position.
Student Orientation and Transition Programs is part of Penn State Student Affairs and Penn State Undergraduate Education.