Remember how exciting it was to arrive on the Farm for the first time as a Stanford student? Now you can help make the experience just as special for the Stanford Class of 2024 and new transfers when they arrive next fall.

At last year’s move-in day, Alicia Purpur, left, was welcomed by volunteers from Otero. (Image credit: David Gonzales)

The New Student Programs team, part of Academic Advising, is currently hiring five undergraduate or coterminal students to work as Orientation Coordinators (OCs). OCs work with university staff to plan and implement New Student Orientation (NSO), which includes a series of events – move-in day and Convocation among them – designed to welcome new first-year and transfer students to Stanford.

NSO this year is scheduled from Wednesday, Sept. 16, to Sunday, Sept. 20.

Joanie Ly is associate director of New Student Programs in Academic Advising. She said that this formal work experience offers a unique opportunity to play an important role in how new students begin their Stanford careers.

“When you’re helping new students transition from high school to college, that’s a huge deal,” she said. “I’m looking for people who are motivated to help shape that experience for new students.”

OCs will support the myriad events, projects and tasks required to make NSO successful. They will gain professional experience in such areas as communications and outreach, community programming, design, events and logistics, and volunteer management. Although OCs will be assigned a primary project area, they will have the opportunity to develop their skills in all other areas as well.

Students must be enrolled in fall quarter 2020 to be eligible for this position. OCs will begin working part time – about four to eight hours per week – during spring quarter, then will transition to full-time work for the summer. OCs must remain on campus for the duration of their employment, which begins the first week of spring quarter and ends Sept. 20 – the last day of NSO. The position also offers a competitive pay package.

Ly stressed that the role of the coordinators is crucial to NSO; much of the work that goes into preparing for the event is directed by OCs.

“When Orientation Coordinators leave this experience, they will feel like they did something bigger than themselves at Stanford,” she said.

Applications are due Feb. 7 at 5 p.m., and all candidates will be notified of their status by Feb. 28. Students interested in learning more about the position are encouraged to attend an information session at Sweet Hall 118:

Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 20, at 2 p.m.

Further details about the role and application process are available on the OC Team website or by sending an email to Ly at joaniely@stanford.edu.