Orientation Intern
Offices and Services / Orientation / Leadership Opportunities / Orientation Interns
New student orientation helps assist new students in making a successful transition to the academic and cultural environment of Calvin. Orientation interns play an integral role in this process by: planning and executing orientation programs and Welcome Week programs; recruiting, selecting, training, and leading a staff of orientation leaders; supporting Calvin’s mission in day-to-day contact with new students and their parents; and participating in appropriate evaluation of Calvin's orientation programs.
There will be 6-8 orientation interns who will work with the Campus Involvement and Leadership Office staff to administer the orientation programs.
More info
- Who can apply?
Any Calvin student with the following characteristics may apply for an orientation intern position:
- Committed to helping new students make a smooth and successful adjustment to Calvin.
- Willing to exercise gifts of creativity, hospitality, and service.
- Possesses general understanding of Calvin's campus environment (current or previous experience in orientation, a student organization, student leadership, or campus office is required).
- Demonstrates confidence and maturity in interpersonal relationships.
- Strives to manifest Christian commitment in thought, word, and deed.
- Maintains full-time student status at Calvin and fulfills the college's eligibility requirements for participation in campus activities as reflected in the Student Handbook.
- Has a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Preference will be given to applying junior and senior students.
In addition, experience has taught us that serving as both an orientation intern and as an RA or in residence hall leadership is not possible. Therefore, if a student accepts an intern position, he or she cannot pursue an RA or residence hall leadership position for the fall. The time commitment of each leadership position precludes service in both simultaneously.
- Specific responsibilities
Orientation interns will begin serving in January 2024 and will complete their service in the end of September 2024—except for assisting in the selection of the following year’s orientation interns in the winter. They will be involved in all aspects of Calvin's orientation programs, including the programs for first-year students, transfer students, and parents.
They will receive two weeks off during the summer (May 5-11 and July 1-5
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January-April (Interns are required to be enrolled on-campus during spring semester.)
- Interns' commitment will be between 6–12 hours per week between January 29 and final exams.
- They will establish an outline and timeline for all orientation operations.
- Interns will attend weekly scheduled meetings to receive training for their position, build camaraderie, set goals, and discuss and plan summer and fall orientation.
- Interns will coordinate and participate in the selection of orientation leaders and plan the first group meetings with them.
May–September
- Interns will begin to work in the office full-time on Monday, May 13, 2024.
- During the summer, interns will organize and plan for New Student Day and Welcome Week.
- Interns will finalize and execute all events and activities related to NSD and will ensure that NSD runs efficiently and effectively.
- During the three NSD orientation sessions, interns will be responsible for operations of all the orientation activities.
- Interns will participate in orientation leader training and provide leadership for them during Welcome Week.
- Interns will participate in a complete evaluation of the orientation program.
September
- Interns will work 20 hours in the beginning of the fall to finalize their work and develop a few extended Orientation Programs.
- Interns will also assist the Campus Involvement and Leadership staff in the selection process for the following year's orientation interns during the spring semester.
- What's the compensation?
Orientation interns will receive $15 per hour and discounted housing @ $200 per month at the KE apartments for the summer plus a $1000 stipend for retreats, training and Welcome Week. You can make over $10,000 at this position.
- How to Apply
Apply now!
All applicants are encouraged to meet with JB to discuss responsibilities. All application materials must be returned to Campus Involvement and Leadership in the Commons Annex by no later than Sunday, January 18. Applicants will only be considered once all materials, including online recommendations, are submitted.
Steps to apply:
- Chat with JB about this position
- Complete an online application.
- Contact 20 peers to complete a peer reference for you. These would be students who have lived with you, been in your orientation group, etc. Upload the complete excel file to the application above. It is your responsibility to ensure 20 students complete this form.
- Contact two professional References to submit online recommendations. Applicants are responsible for contacting their references and ensuring that the recommendation forms are submitted by January 18.
- Upload a resume to the application above (resume must be in PDF format).
- Sign up online for an interview time.
What's the selection process?
Application materials will be reviewed, and successful candidates will be invited to sign up for individual interviews scheduled for January 22–23. Following the individual interviews, applicants will be evaluated and may have the opportunity to participate in the second round of interviews. Applicants will be invited to attend a dinner, have an informal hangout with JB and then a group interview on Friday, January 26. Applicants must attend these interviews in order to be considered for this position.
Important dates
- January 18: Applications Due
- January 22-23 Individual Interviews
- January 24-25: One on One's and Dinner
- January 25: Group Interview
- January 28: Notification
- February 1: First OB Meeting (3:30–6 p.m.)
- February 16-17: Retreat One
- May 6-10: Vacation (Mandatory days off)
- May 13: First Day of Work in the Office
- May 28–June 1: Wilderness Trip
- June 10: New Student Day
- June 21: New Student Day
- June 28: New Student Day
- Jul1-July 5: Vacation (Mandatory days off)
- August 24-27: OL Camp/Training
- August 29–Sept 2: Welcome Week
- September: 3-5 Extended Orientation Programs