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2025 Orientation Leader Applications are CLOSED!

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Are you ready to make your mark on Rocky Top? First-Year Experience (FYE) hires a group of dedicated undergraduate students to serve as Orientation Leaders (OLs) each fall semester. Orientation Leaders use their Volunteer Spirit and Big Orange pride to welcome New Vols and their family members to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville over the summer and throughout the first six weeks of each semester. The Orientation Leader experience is a rewarding experience that provides opportunities for personal and professional growth in areas such as team building, public speaking, communication and interpersonal skills, problem-solving, diversity and inclusion, conflict management, and building confidence as a leader.

Orientation Leaders will have a wide variety of responsibilities centered around numerous projects during the year. This role is based on teamwork & collaboration, & each OL will assist with various aspects of the preparation & implementation of New Vol Orientation that include, but are not limited to:

Spring Semester Hours

  • Attend & actively participate in weekly Orientation Leader training.
  • Shadow select Spring Big Orange Welcome events in January & February 2025.
  • Participate in an Orientation Leader weekend retreat.
  • Prepare for, travel to & participate in an orientation-focused, student-leadership conference (SROW).

Vol 103: On-Campus Experience

  • Participate in an extended Vol 103 training.
  • Assist with program logistics while demonstrating excellent problem-solving & critical thinking skills.
  • Facilitate group discussions, activities, & events for new Vols.
  • Familiarize new students & families/guests with campus services & activities.
  • Lead campus tours & provide directions across campus for new students & families.
  • Provide extraordinary customer service to all participants of Vol 103.

Vol 104: Big Orange Welcome (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026)

  • Facilitate group activities & events for new Vols during Vol 104: Big Orange Welcome. 
  • Facilitate group activities & events for new Vols during Vol 104: Big Orange Welcome. 
  • Oversee logistics of large-scale events, such as Torch Night. 
  • Present information to new students at various Big Orange Welcome events. 
  • Serve as a mentor & role model to incoming students by displaying responsibility & maturity. 
  • Familiarize new students & families/guests with campus services & activities. 
  • Provide extraordinary customer service to all participants of Big Orange Welcome. 
  • Work up to 40 hours during week 0 of Big Orange Welcome (Fall move-in week). 
  • Work up to 10 hours per week during weeks 1-6 of Big Orange Welcome. 

General Responsibilities

  • Stay engaged with the Orientation team outside of designated staff meeting & retreat times.
  • Collaborate with Team Leaders, other Orientation Leaders, interns, & FYE professional staff.
  • Demonstrate the ability to be reliable, responsible, helpful, & flexible.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work & communicate effectively with a diverse group of people.
  • Show respect for others, & a willingness to appreciate other’s views.

*This list is not exhaustive & other duties will be assigned.

To be considered for an Orientation Leader position, each candidate must:

  • Be a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee throughout the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, & Spring 2026 semesters.
  • Have completed 12 credit hours at the University of Tennessee by January 2025.
  • Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA (if below a 2.5 GPA, the applicant must speak with an FYE Staff member). GPA will be verified during the application process & throughout the OL term.
  • Be in good academic standing with the University of Tennessee & uphold the University standards of conduct through the duration of the position.
  • Be able to work effectively with a diverse group of team members.
  • Request to take courses during the summer semester(s). Any classes must not conflict with Vol 103.
  • Request to hold an outside job during the summer contract period. Any outside job must not conflict with Vol 103.
  • Be available to attend ALL required dates of service (listed below).

  • Serve as a mentor to incoming students.
  • Gain leadership opportunities & professional experiences.
  • Network with university staff & fellow student leaders.
  • Serve on a small group dedicated to developing & enhancing New Vol Experience.
  • Gain knowledge of campus resources & services.
  • University gear including but not limited to, staff polos, nametags, T-Shirts, etc.
  • Select meals during spring staff meetings, Vol 103, and Big Orange Welcome.
  • On-campus housing may be provided during Vol 103.
  • $11.00 / hour.

Employment as an Orientation Leader begins in January 2025 & extends through February 2026. OLs are expected to attend ALL required dates of service during the employment term. Exceptions will not be provided for other campus involvement or jobs.

Fall 2024

  • Welcome Reception | December 4, 2024 | 4:00 – 5:30 PM 

Spring 2025

  • Spring Big Orange Welcome Shadow Opportunities | January – February 2025
  • OL Training | Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00 PM | January 22 – May 7 | Perkins 324
  • OL Retreat | February 1 – 2, 2025 | On-Campus
  • SROW Workshop | February 23, 2025 | 3 hours | On-Campus
  • SROW Conference | March 6-9, 2025 | New Orleans, LA

Summer 2025

  • Summer Retreat | May 30 – 31, 2025 | Off-Campus
  • Vol 103 Training | June 2 – June 4, 2025 | On-Campus
  • Vol 103: On-Campus | June 5 – June 30, 2025 

Fall 2025

  • Vol 104: Big Orange Welcome | August – September, 2025 
  • Orientation Leader Recruitment | September – November 2025 

Spring 2026

  • Spring Big Orange Welcome | January – February 2025

Application and Interview Process

  • Review the 2025 Orientation Leader Position Description in its entirety.
  • Complete your application by 11:59 pm on October 15, 2024.
  • Following this application, students who are invited to continue in the selection process will be notified via email to sign up for a group interview. Interviews will be conducted during the week of October 21, 2024.
  • Following group interviews, students who are invited to continue in the selection process will be notified via email to sign up for an individual interview. Individual interviews will be conducted during the week of October 28, 2024.
  • Selected Orientation Leaders will be notified by November 19, 2024.
  • 2024 Orientation Leaders will be invited to the Welcome Reception on December 4, 2024.