Orientation leaders soothe nerves of students, parents

USC’s Orientation Leaders have a unique and rewarding opportunity to be “cheerleaders” for the University during Freshman Orientations in the summer.

This fast-paced, competitive summer job involves USC students working an approximate 51-hour week during which they lead incoming freshmen and their families around campus on orientation day, talking about the University and answering any questions.

Orientation Leaders reassure nervous freshmen they made the right choice in attending USC and excite them about beginning college life. In addition to the future students, parents also watch Orientation Leaders to see what kind of students attend the University.

In short, Orientation Leaders carry a great deal of responsibility, which makes their job all the more rewarding.

“The best part about being an Orientation Leader was seeing people come in at the start of the day without much of an idea what to expect, and then leave that afternoon with a class schedule, a good idea of what to expect in their major and looking forward to being back in the fall,” said Joe Thickens, a fourth-year criminal justice student and former Orientation Leader.

“There were plenty of parents and students who came in at the beginning of the day pretty stressed, but a lot of the time they left with a smile. Anything we could do to make the transition easier was pretty rewarding.”

Applications for this paid position begin in September and are due at the end of October. Students chosen for the positions go through training in the spring. Their job begins the following summer with Freshman Orientation, during which they work 10-hour days, conducting question-and-answer panels with parents, leading small group sessions with students and assisting the advisers with class registration.

“The 10-hour days are challenging, rewarding and provide Orientation Leaders with a great opportunity to grow professionally as public speakers and as leaders,” said Neal Robinson, a fourth-year public relations student and Orientation Leader for two years.

The students working as Orientation Leaders must be prepared to handle any unexpected questions thrown at them by future students or parents.

“The craziest thing I was asked during orientation was, ‘What happens if my student faints while walking across campus?’ The mom was hardcore serious and we all had to keep a straight face as we told her about the numerous call boxes located around campus for emergency situations,” said Cherelle Pinckney, a third-year exercise science student.

“One parent asked about judicial procedures for when, not if, their student got in trouble. High expectations!” Thickens said.

Being an Orientation Leader also provides an excellent chance for USC students to make lasting friendships with the other leaders.

“We had so much fun, and all of us still have reunion dinners and hang out all the time because we miss each other so much,” said Alex Harper, a third-year nursing student and former Oriention Leader.

2 comments

Your name

Mon Oct 12 2009 13:22

not true at all. while we focus on the good in our university, we are honest in everything we say.

Your name

Sun Oct 4 2009 10:20

The worst part about being an orientation leader is the responsibility to systematically lie to parents, on behalf of the university, about the rampant alcoholism in the student body and how little is really done about it. I guess it's good that they learn to be disingenuous while in college. It prepares them for the real world.

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