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Orientation & First-Year Programs

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Employment Opportunities

We have many employment opportunities for current U of M students. These include Program Assistant (formerly Orientation Leader and New Student Weekend Co-Chair), Orientation Check-In Staff, Welcome Week Leader, and Office Assistant. Please look at the position descriptions for information and application availability below.

Program Assistant (PA)

The responsibility of the Program Assistant position is to administer a successful Freshman and Transfer Orientation and Welcome Week, all focused on providing a quality transitional experience for first-year students.  Additionally, the Program Assistants will work as a team to recruit and prepare a volunteer team of 400 Welcome Week Leaders. [Click for more information]

Orientation occurs on various dates between June 11-August 29. The role of the Program Assistants is with groups of new Freshman, Transfer, and Graduate students and their parents/guests to educate them on campus resources and student life issues as part of their transition to the University.

Welcome Week is a new program for first-year students from August 27-September 1.  First-Year students will move/come to campus and participate in 6 days of programming to assist in their transition to the University. PAs act as liaisons between the Student Program Coordinator/Advisor to the Welcome Week Leaders with regard to expectations, leadership training, specific details and information.

Qualifications
Applicants must be in good academic standing (at, or above a 2.3 GPA) with two completed semesters, not including summer session or post-secondary work, of university or collegiate experience.  First-year students, graduate students, students studying abroad with a departure date prior to September 1, 2008, and students graduating in May 2008 are not eligible to apply.

Program Assistants (PAs) are selected based on their ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and commit to a rigorous schedule.  PAs must display public relations skills and maturity of judgment.  Additionally, PAs need to have patience, flexibility, strong organizational skills, and be willing and ready to learn.  They should be resourceful and capable of assuming a leadership position with little supervision.

Time Commitment
Spring Semester: PAs receive training on issues such as facilitation, sexual violence and health, peer supervision, human diversity, conflict management, communication skills and a variety of leadership topics.  The goal is to challenge individuals both personally in order to develop facilitation skills needed for the position. PAs will also be responsible for the recruitment and training of the Welcome Week Leaders.  Each PA will supervise a group of 14 Welcome Week Leaders.
Time Commitment:

  • Mandatory Wednesday meetings from 3:30-7:30 pm, January 23-May 7 (Spring Semester)
  • Mandatory Retreat, January 18-20, 2008
  • Welcome Week Leader Information Presentations, Sunday, February 3 and Tuesday, February 5, 2008
  • Community Service Project, Saturday, March 29, 2008
  • Welcome Week Leader Training, Saturday, April 19 and/or Sunday, April 20, 2008

Summer:  PAs are expected to attend summer training sessions prior to Orientation and again prior to Welcome Week to receive training on program implementation logistics.  These training sessions includes learning to present workshops, understanding University policies, and becoming more knowledgeable about various organizations and services on campus.

Orientation: The following will be expected of PAs:

  • Present programs to large audiences of new students
  • Facilitate small group discussions
  • Assist in preparing logistical support of the orientation program
  • Conduct campus tours
  • Assist in special programs and accept support duties as needed
  • Live in a University Residence Hall from May 27-July 18
  • Time Commitment
    • Summer Training – May 27-June 10, Saturdays included
    • Freshman Orientation – June 11-July 18 and August 7-8, 25-26
    • Transfer Orientation – July 21, 22, August 4-6, 11-22, 29

Welcome Week: The following will be expected of PAs:

  • Prepare & implement training for Welcome Week Leaders
  • Plan and oversee Work Week activities and projects
  • Attend Welcome Week and provide support to staff and activities
  • Present programs to large audiences of new students
  • Maintain professionalism when working with Leaders and representing OFYP
  • Complete final program evaluations
  • Plan and attend post OFYP activities (closure, banquet…)
  • Other miscellaneous duties as necessary
  • Time Commitment
    • Mandatory Retreat – August 16-17
    • PA Work Week – August 18-21
    • Leader Work Week – August 22-26
    • Welcome Week – August 27-September 1

Compensation
A stipend totaling $3,500 will be paid out in bi-weekly installments beginning the first week of summer training.

Applications
Applications were due November 2, 2007 by 4:30 p.m. and are no longer being accepted.

 

Orientation Check-in Staff

Check-in staff are selected to assist in all aspects of morning check-in of new students (and their parents) during Orientation & Registration. Responsibilities include area set-up, check-in of new students for Orientation and their parents for Parent Orientation, assisting new students and parents with questions or concerns they may have, area take-down, facilitating late check-in, and other projects as assigned. 10 Check-In Staff positions are available. [Click for more information]

Qualifications

  • Positive, friendly, outgoing, and have great customer service skills.
  • Ability to handle many things at once and to comprehend a multi-dimensional program is necessary.
  • Strong organizational skills and initiative are required.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving abilities is desired.
  • Strong aptitude for retention of detailed information and accurate dispersal of that information is critical.
  • Patience and ability to adapt to changing situations.
  • Team-oriented attitude is a must.

Time Commitment

  • Training in early June
  • Early June through mid July, 7:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m. a.m., Monday through Thursday
  • The month of August, 7:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday

Compensation
• $8.25 per hour

Applications
Applications are now available. for an application, please email Nicole at ander635@umn.edu with a statement of interest.

 

Welcome Week Leader

Orientation & First-Year Programs will be accepting applications for the new 2008 Welcome Week Leader position starting December 3, 2007. This volunteer position will help current U of M students gain valuable leadership experience as they lead a brand-new campus-wide initiative while focusing on providing a quality transitional experience for freshmen. The 2008 Welcome Week Leaders will work in pairs and lead groups of freshmen through Welcome Week. [Click for more information]

 

Communications & Technology Intern

The Communications & Technology intern will assist with many projects related to student orientation and the new Welcome Week program. The ideal candidate should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, exceptional graphic design and web experience, and a desire to help create successful student-focused communication. Tasks will include web and print development, planning of various programs, designing and editing for print and web, providing technical assistance to office staff, and other projects as assigned. [Click for more information]

Qualifications

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Positive attitude and willingness to learn
  • Familiarity with MS Office, especially Word and Excel
  • Familiarity with graphic design programs (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.)
  • Familiarity with Web design and HTML (preferably Dreamweaver experience)
  • Familiarity with the MyU Web portal, UMCal, and other U of M Web tools
  • Should be detail-orientated and organized
  • Should be interested in communication that supports student initiatives

Details

  • Internship is Spring Semester 2008
  • 10-15 hours per week between the hours of 8-4:30 pm M-F (may require some irregular hours)
  • Possibility of staying on for summer 2008
  • $10-12/hour (depending on experience)

Applications

  • Applicants must be full-time students in good academic and judicial standing
  • Applications are not currently being accepted.

 

Office Assistant

The Office Assistant plays a crucial role in our office. The responsibilities of this position include receptionist and information referral point for new students, parents, office staff and University departments. Office duties include answering phones, logistical support for office programs, and central information center for Orientation & First-Year Programs. Other projects as assigned. [Click for more information]

Qualifications

  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and show initiative.
  • Must be positive and friendly, and have an outgoing customer service approach.
  • Experience with successful phone answering experience in a busy environment.
  • Ability to multi-task is necessary.
  • Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines is desired.
  • Strong aptitude for retention of detailed information and accurate dispersal of that information is important.

Details

Academic year (early September through mid-May)

  • Four positions available
  • Approximately 10-12 hours per week
  • $8.50 per hour

Summer (mid-May through early September)

  • Three positions available
  • Spring Semester Finals Week, training (appx. 6 hours); Throughout summer, need to be available between 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (M-Th) and 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (F), approximately 18-20 hours per week; First Week of Fall Semester, approximately 10 hours
  • $8.75 per hour

Applications
Applications are now available for the Summer Office Assistant position. For an application, please email Nicole at ander635@umn.edu with a statement of interest. Applications will be available at the end of July 2008 for the Academic Year Office Assistant position.