Join the Orientation Leader Team!

2024 OL Retreat

Student Leaders Wanted!

Each year, hundreds of students apply to represent the San Jose State University as an Orientation & Transition Leader (OATies). A year on our team is a unique experience to foster leadership skills while supporting new Spartans and helping them find their place at San Jose State.

Selection for the 2025 Orientation & Transition Team has concluded. Applications for the 2026 team will be available in Fall 2025.

Learning Outcomes
- As a result of being an Orientation Leader, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of transitional challenges as it relates to the new student experience (homesickness, transfer shock, academic and social acclimation)
  2. Display a comprehensive understanding of student services and campus resources designed to support new students and their families in their transition to SJSU
  3. Develop positive relationships with new students, parents and family members, faculty and staff in order to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all orientation participants
  4. Employ problem solving and conflict management techniques in a professional manner upon supporting various programmatic pieces of the orientation program
  5. Gain an appreciation of SJSU’s unique history, institutional culture, and traditions while portraying authentic campus spirit to all orientation participants
Responsibilities
- 1. Dedicate time and energy into the learning, growth, self-discovery, and development of new students
  2. Communicate effectively and regularly on an individual and group basis with student and professional orientation staff as well as campus partners during the academic year and summer
  3. Participate in mentorship meetings and activities with Leadership Team members
  4. Work ALL orientation sessions (Dates and specific duties TBD):
  5. Be available for all orientation sessions hosted during the summer of 2025 (Dates TBD)
  6. Serve as a small group leader during orientation sessions for first-year and transfer students throughout the summer
  7. Work individually and in teams to provide administrative and operational support during orientation sessions
  8. Assist students in planning their first-semester schedule and disseminating accurate information regarding class scheduling and course registration during academic advising sessions
  9. Articulate knowledge of campus resources and programs to new students and family members
  10. Be a reliable, punctual, energetic, responsible, flexible, collaborative, and caring team member
  11. Be highly motivated, dependable, and sincere in representing San Jose State University, the New Student and Family Programs Office, and the Spartan community
  12. Participate and support various campus events and initiatives as requested by orientation, the Division of Student Affairs, and wider SJSU campus departments (Admitted Spartan Day, etc.)
  13. Required to continue as a Spartan Spark Leader in Fall 2025 Semester
  14. Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications and Expectations
- 1. Be in good academic standing and have a minimum SJSU cumulative GPA of 2.5
  2. I must be in good standing with the university at the point of application. Issues of probation will be discussed as they arise with consideration for the individual staff member and impact of the team.
  3. Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing from time of application until Fall 2025
  4. Be a current SJSU student and have passed at least 12 semester units at SJSU prior to Spring 2025
  5. Complete the mandatory 3-unit UNVS 199 course during the Spring 2025 semester
  6. Will return to SJSU as a student in the Fall 2025 semester
  7. Be reliable, punctual, responsible, flexible, a team player, and demonstrate strong communication skills
  8. Attend and participate in all orientation team trainings and required events (e.g., January 2025 training, OATie Retreat in January 2025, Admitted Spartan Day in April 2025, Orientation Leader Final Training and orientation session days in Summer 2025, Spartan Spark 2025 in Fall 2025)
  9. Cannot work another on campus job during the Summer 2025
  10. Cannot be enrolled in summer session classes at SJSU (on campus or online)
Time Commitment
- To ensure you are available for the entire Orientation Leader commitment from now uthroughntil Fall 2025, please note the following tentative program dates and keep them available:
  1. UNVS 199 (Orientation Leadership Studies) 3-Unit Course: Spring 2025 semester
  2. Spring Orientation Leader Training: January 2025
  3. Spring Frosh + Transfer Orientation: January 2025
  4. Orientation Leader Retreat: Friday - Sunday in January 2025
  5. Admitted Spartan Day: April 2025
  6. Orientation Leader Summer Training: Summer 2025
  7. Orientation Sessions: Summer 2025 (exact dates and modality TBA) **Please note that, if our orientation program is hosted in person, this is tentatively a summer live-on campus position and all staff are required to be on campus by 8pm before every Orientation Session and be present during all Orientation Sessions.
  8. Orientation Leader Summer Banquet: End of Summer 2025 (Exact date TBA)
  9. New Student Convocation: August 2025 (Typically the middle of August)
  10. Spartan Spark Training: August 2025 (Typically the middle of August)
  11. Parent and Family Weekend: Fall 2025 (Typically the end of September)
  12. Spartan Spark Team Meetings: Weekly Fall 2025
Compensation and Benefits
- Benefits of being an Orientation Leader include:
  1. Paid $17.55/hour during the summer.
  2. On-campus housing provided during summer orientation
  3. University gear, including but not limited to NSFP staff polos, name tags and t-shirts.
  4. 3-units of elective credit for completing UNVS 199: Orientation Leadership Studies course in Spring 2025 semester
  5. Meals provided during Trainings and Orientation Sessions.
  6. Professional development by way of mentorship, trainings and hands-on experiences.
  7. Networking opportunities with university staff and fellow student leaders.

Application Process

All new applicants are required to complete an online application. Selected applicants based on the online applications will be invited to attend a large group interview and an individual interview. In the interviews, applicants will be evaluated on a series of skills we look for in an Orientation & Transition Team Member. For a full timeline of the application process, please review the next page.

Preparing to be an Orientation & Transition Team Member

Through all training opportunities described below, OATies will gain substantial knowledge about the university, campus resources and community expectations. Trainings also give OATies the opportunity to bond with their fellow teammates and build deeper connections.

Orientation Leader Staff Retreat
- Our 3 day, 2 overnight staff retreat is typically held the last weekend of January and provides the first opportunity for all Orientation staff to come together and get to know one another, set expectations for their experience, and build a foundation for being a team for the following nine months and beyond.
UNVS 199 Class: Orientation Leadership Studies
- In the Spring semester, all new Orientation Leaders are required to enroll in this 3-unit, academic course. This class is designed to prepare undergraduate students who have been selected to serve as Orientation Leaders to be effective ambassadors and peer leaders at San José State University. Through lectures, videos, readings, papers, discussions, group projects, and participation in various university programs and events, students will learn the theoretical and practical aspects of student leadership. Students will also be provided training opportunities in university policies and procedures and other skill building areas pertinent to their role as Orientation Leaders. Developing a thorough working knowledge of the resources and services available to new students and their families will prepare students in the course to not only successfully orient and transition incoming students and their families, but also familiarize themselves with these same resources and services available to them as current students on campus.
OATie Summer Training
- Summer Training is one week and will take place sometime in late-May/ early-June, before the first Orientation session. Attending and being present at all components of Final Training is mandatory.
Summer Orientation Programs
- All orientation staff must be available for all orientation sessions during the summer. This includes living in on-campus housing and being available from 8:00 PM the evening before each session through 8:00 PM on the day of each session.

Job requirements, benefits and responsibilities are subject to change. Review the Orientation & Transtion Team application for official roles, responsibilities, benefits and requirments.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Orientation & Transition Team Members (OATies) cannot serve as Resident Advisors (RAs) in Fall 2025 due to overlapping time commitments. Orientation & Trantition Team Members (OATies) must be available beginning in the Spring 2025 through the end of the Fall 2025.