Become an Orientation Leader
A paid internship with lasting rewards
Being an orientation leader challenged me to build meaningful relationships with new students quickly, this skill has become critical in being an effective educator.
Abbie Lamb High School History teacher
2015 graduate
I am not aware of another job where a student is tasked with building and refining their project management, sales, service content development and overall leadership skills.
Adam Waggoner Director of Business Development of MSP Group
2009 graduate
I had never worked with such a diverse and talented group of people before I was an orientation leader. This eye opening experience provided me with the tools to appreciate the beauty of diversity, which makes this an amazing place.
Armando Becerril Auditor-KPMG
2011 graduate
Being an orientation leader taught me to connect with people, actively listen, and to read people's emotions, which are all so important in my field.
Laura Pinon 4th year medical student-UNMC
2014 graduate
Being an orientation leader gave me the opportunity to further develop my interpersonal skills through working with diverse groups. It stretched me beyond my comfort zone and I had a blast doing so.
Scott Barker Environment Engineer at Koch Fertilizer
2010 graduate
Benefits
- Full-time, on-campus work with hourly pay and opportunities for overtime
- Meal plan
- Traditional-style on-campus housing (if requested)
- New friendships and connections with top student leaders from different areas of campus
- Impact the lives of incoming students and their families
Skills Obtained
Skills obtained by being an orientation leader are applicable to a variety of careers, and include:
- Communication and presentation skills
- Working in teams
- Problem solving skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Working with diverse populations
- Large and small group facilitation and teaching
- Creativity and innovation
Details
Responsibility
Orientation leaders will be expected to:
- Represent the university in a positive way.
- Develop positive relationships with other orientation leaders and members of NSE staff.
- Participate attentively in training sessions and activities, which will include:
- Developing a complete information base about UNL services and programs.
- Reflect on and communicate their own college experience and transition.
- Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of NSE programs, including:
- Summer 2023 orientation days (May 30–July 7).
- Summer 2023 Power Up Weekend (June 23–25).
- 2023–2024 Transfer NSE days (July, December, January—dates TBD).
- Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Big Red Welcome activities.
Tasks performed during NSE programs include, but are not limited to:
- Public speaking in large or small groups of students and/or their families.
- Giving tours of the university (training provided).
- Sharing testimonials of one’s own experiences.
- Small group facilitation and leading community-building activities.
Criteria
- Must have attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or another higher education institution full time for a least 1 year (first-year transfer students, sophomores, and juniors are eligible; first-time freshmen not eligible, regardless of academic credit standing).
- Must be returning to the university in Fall 2023 (seniors graduating in May 2023 not eligible).
- Good disciplinary standing.
- Full-time student status at the time of application.
- Last semester GPA and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
- Ability to lead and facilitate large groups.
- Appreciation for diversity and sensitivity toward a variety of ideas and values.
- International Orientation leaders must be fully admitted undergraduate (IEP or Exchange students are not eligible).
Timeline
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| October 5 | Applications open |
| October 26 | Applications close |
| October 27 | Applications will be delivered to collegiate units for the screening committee |
| November 14 | Semifinalists are notified |
| November 15–20 | Semifinalist interviews |
| November 22 | Finalists are notified |
| January 24–May 9 | Weekly training sessions on Tuesday evenings from 7–9 p.m. |
Salary
Orientation leaders will be paid an hourly wage while working during:
- In-person orientation days.
- Big Red Welcome events.
- Other events (could include International Orientation, Husker Dialogues, etc.).
Orientation leaders earn a package worth between $3,200 and $3,600 during the summer.
Meal plan provided for all orientation leaders.
If requested, traditional style housing will be provided at University Housing from May 21 to July 8.
International Students
International students are encouraged to apply to be orientation leaders. Being an orientation leader is different from being on the International Welcome Team. The International Welcome Team is the main group that assists with International Airport Welcome and International Orientation. Orientation leaders lead orientation for incoming domestic students throughout the summer. Being an orientation leader is a major leadership role on campus as well as an immersive experience in United States culture. It is a significant commitment that yields great professional and social rewards such as an expanded résumé, improved communication and leadership skills and new friends.
Application Process
Make sure to follow all instructions and complete all necessary areas of application, including references (minimum of one professional and one personal).
Application will open on October 5, and be due October 26 by 11:59 p.m.
Because of the large number of students who apply for an orientation leader position, it is not possible to interview all applicants.
To determine a group of semifinalists, applicants will be screened by their college or division based upon the answers to the questions in the application and academic achievement. These semifinalists will be notified via email that they have been offered an interview. Interviews will take place during November 17–21, 2022. Following interviews, a group of finalists will be selected as orientation leaders. Decisions on these finalists will be made and communicated prior to the end of the Fall 2022 semester. Training sessions will begin on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, from 7–9 p.m. and continue weekly through May 9 (with the exception of March 14 for Spring Break).
Applications are closed.
Time Commitment
| Session | Dates |
| Spring Semester Training Sessions | Tuesday evenings from January 24–May 9, 2023, 7–9 p.m. |
| Training for Summer Program | May 22–26, 2023 |
| Summer Program | May 30–July 7, 2023* |
| Power Up Weekend | June 23–25, 2023* |
| Big Red Welcome | August 14–20, 2023* |
*Dates may be subject to change based on university policies and calendar.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public university committed to providing a quality education to a diverse student body. One aspect of this commitment is to foster a climate of inclusion and mutual support that will enhance our ability to achieve our overall goals of recruiting and retaining good faculty and staff while allowing all of us to focus our energies and talents on our important missions of education, research and service. To this end, it is the policy of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln not to discriminate based upon age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, religion or political affiliation. This policy is applicable to all University administered programs including educational programs, financial aid, admission policies and employment policies.
This policy is enacted in accordance with the University of Nebraska Board of Regents Policies and with various federal and state discrimination laws including Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1978, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 and Title II of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act of 2008.
Inquiries regarding discrimination issues may be directed to the Office of Equity, Access & Diversity Programs, 128 Canfield Administration Building (402) 472-3417. You may also contact entities such as the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and the Department of Education, Civil Rights Division.