Have a Question...We have the Answers:
- What is it like being a part of the Orientation Team?
Being a part of the OTeam is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience that is likely to make this a summer to remember! Check out the videos above and hear from some of our former OTeam members about their experience!!
- Is this a paid Internship?
Yes! This can be your paid summer internship! Orientation Coordinators and Orientation Leaders are paid summer positions that will develop your skills/abilities for your future career – leadership, communication, teamwork, and more! This opportunity offers fantastic work experience in a healthy environment that will challenge you while being surrounded by supportive supervisors.
- What types of characteristics are you looking for in Orientation Team candidates?
The O-Team is made up of students who are passionate about Rutgers with a desire to make incoming students feel at-home and prepared On The Banks. The students in both positions come from a diverse array of majors, school affiliations, interests, identities and personalities!
People assume that all orientation staff need to be outgoing, high energy and extroverted. However, that is not true. There is no defined list of characteristics we look for when creating our orientation team. Each individual’s uniqueness is what makes our program so special. However, some of the qualities we look for in our leaders include school spirit, cooperation, management skills, adaptability to change, and work ethic.
- Do I have to have a specific major, have previous work experience, or be a part of a lot of organizations on campus?
All majors are welcome! We will be welcoming thousands of students representing every school and major that Rutgers has to offer, and we would love for our staff to reflect that diversity. Even if you have never had a job before, you should still apply for our Orientation Leader role! All staff members will be trained extensively in the necessary areas to provide them with the skills and knowledge to deliver a fantastic orientation experience to all incoming students. It is alright if you are not a part of many clubs and organizations at Rutgers! We love to see our staff members involved and engaged with the Rutgers community, but this may look different from person to person.
- During the spring/summer/fall, what is the time commitment and typical work week like for the Orientation staff?
Orientation Coordinators (OCs) do have spring 2026 commitments starting the week of February 16th, which include weekly office hours and meetings. Orientation Leaders (OLs) have some spring 2026 semester commitments. Both positions assist us with helping to welcome our new students back in the fall during Welcome Week. More specific information can be found in the position descriptions above.
The majority of time commitment is during summer 2026 and includes training and orientation sessions. Summer work weeks will consist of sessions with most weekends off. Training for our OTeam starts at the end of May for orientation coordinators and early June for our orientation leaders. During summer sessions between late-June to early-August, the daily work schedule will consist of Monday - Friday with some variation on start and end time depending on the day (e.g. 7am/8am - 6pm/10:30pm). Expect to be working full time with opportunities for overtime compensation. Breaks during the sessions are included and we do include one short vacation for all staff around the 4th of July. A more detailed schedule of specific dates will be shared during the spring 2026 group/individual interviews.
- Can I work another job or take a summer class while working on the Orientation team? What about vacations and time off?
We do not allow orientation staff members to take classes or work another job during the summer unless it is approved by a professional staff supervisor. The time commitment from end of May to early-August for our orientation staff makes it very difficult to take classes during the summer. If you are considering taking courses, please meet with a professional staff member to discuss this further. If permitted to have another job during the summer, the hours must not conflict with your job as an orientation staff member.
Vacations, while not impossible to take, are dictated by the orientation summer schedule. Each year staff receive time off around the 4th of July for a short break. Aside from those set days, staff will not be excused from work for any reasons other than illness/a personal or family emergency.
- Can I have another leadership position on campus and still be a part of the Orientation Team (OLs and OCs)?
Yes. You can apply for other leadership positions and still be part of our orientation team.
We encourage you to consider other student leadership opportunities if you are hoping to get involved on campus! Student leadership opportunities on campus include the following:
