UGA Orientation Leader Information and Application

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

                                                                                                                                                - Jackie Robinson

The O.L. Experience

"Being an OL teaches you extreme patience, humility, true friendship, an appreciation for sleep and food, and most of all how to love unconditionally."                                                                                                - Morgan Cogswell, O.L. ‘07

Orientation Leaders (O.L.s) provide the first official welcome to all new University of Georgia students and help them prepare for a successful beginning on campus. O.L.s serve as group leaders and mentors for new First-Year and Transfer students, while serving as a resource for parents as well. This position provides a unique opportunity to have a positive impact on future students while also developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. O.L.s gain further insight into the workings of the University and become acquainted with many staff and faculty. However, the opportunity to work closely on a team with a select group of fellow student leaders is the most challenging and potentially rewarding aspect of the O.L. experience.

"There isn't a better way to spend your summer and the memories will last a lifetime"                                                                                               - Bailey Simpson, O.L. ‘08

Qualifications

"Be yourself! I repeat BE YOURSELF! If you are fake, it will show and new students may not respect you."                                                                                                - Justin West, O.L. ‘08

An applicant for the position of 2010 Orientation Leader must be currently enrolled as a UGA undergraduate student and also will be enrolled at UGA during Spring and Fall Semesters in 2010. All applicants must be in good academic standing. More importantly, an applicant should be someone with strong communication skills, genuine enthusiasm for the UGA experience, and the ability to work well with a team of peer leaders.

"All Orientation Leaders are great individual leaders, otherwise they would never be considered for the position; but the difference is made when those individual leaders come together to make an entire leadership team!"                                                                                                - Josh Dunn, O.L. ‘07

Important Dates

"One thing that stands out are the late nights during training week where we came up with Orientation Live and worked on Intros. Being delirious and bouncing ideas off each other was a lot of fun!"                                                                                               - Tim Anderson, O.L. ‘07

The 2010 Orientation Leaders must be available for the following dates:

• December 3, 2009 – First O.L. meeting
• January 8-10, 2010 – Orientation Leader retreat
• January - April 2010 – Spring training two hours each week with dates and times to be arranged
• May 24 - July 28, 2010 – Summer Orientation (includes a week of training in late May)
• July 9 - 11, 2010 – Mid-summer retreat
• August 11, 2010 – Late Orientation for Fall Semester
• December 8 and 16, 2010; January 5, 2011 – Spring Semester 2011 Orientation

"The impact on UGA and the friendships made were very rewarding. As an OL you make a remarkable impact on around campus."                                                                                                - Darryl Tricksey, O.L. ‘08

Responsibilities

"I heard amazing stories from amazing people and was able to welcome these great new people into our university. It was all an adventurous ride with so many wonderful people along the way."                                                                                                - Kate Kotsko, O.L. '07

An Orientation Leader will be expected to do the following:

Training Program

All Orientation Leaders must participate in a training program consisting of one weekend retreat, January 8-10, 2010, and a series of weekly training meetings in January, February, March, and April.  Any prospective applicant who is not available to participate in the January 8-10, 2010 retreat should not apply.  O.L.s must report to campus for a week of full-time training prior to the Summer Orientation sessions on Monday, May 24, 2010.

"My favorite part of training was getting to know everyone on the team. Training is pretty intense, but I think this is when everyone's strengths really come out."                                                                                                - Bailey Maxwell, O.L. '07

The Summer Orientation Program

"I believe your experience will be that much better if you do this. Just be yourself... that's all."                                                                                               - Tamara Holliday, O.L. ‘07

Orientation for incoming Fall 2010 students includes sixteen two-day sessions for First-Year students and five one-day programs for Transfer students. A parent program is held in conjunction with each of these sessions. The first Orientation session begins the week of June 1, 2009 and the last session concludes by July 30, 2010. Late Fall Semester Orientation is August 11, 2010.

"Being an OL is more than a great time, it is more than a job, it is an experience."                                                                                                - Krunal Shah O.L. ‘08

Work Hours & Salary

"Orientation is an awesome way to spend your summer and one of the most rewarding things I've done at UGA, but it is a huge time commitment. Make sure that you're willing and able to really put your all into it."                                                                                                - Tim Anderson, O.L. ‘07

The Summer Orientation work week for Orientation Leaders typically begins at 7:30 a.m. on Monday and concludes at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. There are occasional Sunday evening staff meetings. The commitment of time and energy is extensive. Therefore, O.L.s will not be able to take classes or hold another job during the summer.  O.L.s must remain with each Summer Orientation group in full participation while the group is on campus, including meal-time.

Salary for participation in the Summer Orientation and Phase II Late Orientation Programs will be $2,700. Pay is bi-weekly during the summer and benefits will include standard access to the University Health Center and access to the Ramsey Student Center for Physical Activities. In addition, summer room expenses in the residence hall will be fully provided and O.L.s will be provided with a five-day meal plan for use throughout the Summer Orientation Program.

Application

"OL applicants, I am about to give you monumental advice: don't be afraid of who you are. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there because you are going to need to."                                                - Hadas Peles, O.L. ‘07

The application for Orientation Leader is only available in PDF and may be accessed here.

Applications must be returned to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 212 Terrell Hall, by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2009.

The selection process involves two stages – group interviews will take place the week of November 9, 2009 followed by individual interviews for finalists the week of November 16, 2009.  Applicants will be contacted by email to schedule an interview.  The selection process will be completed by Thanksgiving break.

There will be a general information meeting for applicants and prospective applicants on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the Zell B. Miller Learning Center.  The meeting will be held in Room 171 of the Miller Learning Center.  This is not a required meeting; its purpose is to answer any questions applicants and prospective applicants may have about the job of an Orientation Leader.  The meeting will include an opportunity to meet and ask questions of the 2009 O.L.s.  Further questions may be directed to Milly Gorman (mlegra@uga.edu), Tino Johnson (tno@uga.edu), or Lydia Ghattas (lghattas@uga.edu) in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Terrell Hall, (706)542-2112. 

2010 UGA Orientation Leader Application

The application for Orientation Leader is only available in PDF format and may be accessed by clicking the above paw print logo. Please print the application, complete it, and return it to the Office of Admissions, 212 Terrell Hall by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2009. 

For additional information about the Orientation program, please refer to the Orientation Web page.