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Great question! Orientation Leaders help provide new students and their families with a seamless transition to the University of South Florida. As an Orientation Leader, you will be working with students from different demographics such as Transfer, First Year, and International along with their families and guests. We suggest thoroughly reading the position’s Information Packet. This outlines position benefits, descriptions, and a list of sample various dates and commitments to keep in mind.

No – any student can apply! However, you do have to be a current, full-time, undergraduate student to be eligible with a graduation date of Fall 2026 or later.  

You can access the Orientation Leader position here.

No, but it can help! New Student and Family Engagement is looking for all kinds of students, personalities, and experiences. Our Orientation Leader positions are designed intentionally to help students learn and grow. 

As of right now, we are hoping to offer both virtual and in-person Orientation sessions for Summer 2026. All Orientation Leaders will be trained and expected to work both in-person and virtual Orientation sessions.

No, resumes are not necessary. However, while previous experience is not required for the Orientation Leader position, the online application will require you to answer a few questions regarding: any previous employment, campus or community organizations you may be currently involved in, any leadership positions you may have held within those organizations, leadership training (retreats/conferences) you have participated in, and why you are interested in the Orientation Leader position. 

If you do not have a USF GPA, please use your most recent GPA from a previous institution (e.g., high school, previous college, university, state school, etc.). 

The video is your chance to showcase your personality, energy, and passion for the role! It helps us see how you engage with others, confidence with public speaking, and the enthusiasm you would bring as an Orientation Leader. Think of it as a way for us to get a sense of who you are beyond your written responses.

Reflect on experiences that demonstrate your leadership, teamwork, and ability to build community. Be prepared to share specific examples and show your enthusiasm for the role. We also suggest familiarizing yourself with the Orientation Leader information packet.

We expect attire that is comfortable and appropriate—think “dress your best” style. Choose something neat and professional that allows you to feel confident.

If you are unable to attend your scheduled interview, please contact us as soon as possible at myorientation@usf.edu. We may be able to offer an alternative time, but space is limited, so early communication is important.

Interviews are required to be considered for the role. If you do not sign up by the deadline, you may not be eligible for an interview or further consideration, so we encourage you to register on time.

No, interview questions will not be shared in advance. We encourage you to reflect on your experiences and think about how you demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and community-building skills.

For all interviews, we suggest arriving 10 minutes before your scheduled time.

You can expect your Individual Interview to last between 15-20 minutes.

No, you do not need to bring anything with you to the interview.

During the interviews, you’ll have the opportunity to speak with staff and current Orientation Leaders. You’ll answer a few questions about your experiences and skills, and it’s a chance for us to get to know you while you learn more about the role.

We look for candidates who are enthusiastic, approachable, and committed to building community. Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are important, as well as the ability to support and engage with new students in a welcoming way.

When you apply, you are committing to all the dates. If you are already aware of an obligation that will mean missing a session, please tell Orientation staff before accepting the role. If we are unable to work through the conflict with you, we suggest you consider applying for the Orientation Leader role in a future year. 

Yes! You can take summer classes online at USF as long as the courses you want are offered in an online, asynchronous format. Make sure to check course availability in the USF Course Catalog, confirm any registration rules with your advisor, and plan your schedule carefully! If hired, you will be expected to communicate your intended class schedule with your supervisor before registering. 

Yes, you may have another job; however, it’s important to ensure your schedule allows you to fully participate in all Orientation Leader responsibilities, including trainings, events, and student sessions. Time management is key to balancing multiple commitments.

It depends. The Orientation Leader position has various dates of commitment that you should be aware before moving forward with any travel plans. While there are some breaks over the summer for Orientation Leaders to make travel plans, we expect the Orientation Leader position to be the priority and you will not be allowed to miss Orientation Leader commitments for traveling.

Yes! However, your Orientation Leader contract would end early to make sure you are able to attend Resident Assistant training and associated commitments (see the example of the listed “Dates and Commitments” pages of the Information Packets to have an idea how your summer will look). You are not permitted to be a summer RA.

Orientation Leaders are contracted from January 2026 to January 2027. All OLs are required to attend a Spring 2025 leadership training, which begins the second week of the Spring semester. While most responsibilities occur during the summer, OLs will also participate in Fall 2026 recruitment events and other team activities. Refer to the “Dates and Commitments” section of the Information Packet for a detailed overview of how your time will be spent.

During the summer, Orientation Leaders typically work 3–4 student sessions per week, Monday through Friday. Schedules may also include trainings, team meetings, and preparation time, with hours varying depending on session times and events. OLs typically work full days when sessions are in progress.

In the Spring Leadership Training, we will focus on team building, connecting with other Orientation Leaders, and introducing you to the roles and functions of our department.
  
In our May Training period, we will expand on concepts from spring training, but also cover USF information, campus resources, customer service, storytelling, how to facilitate small group discussions, Orientation procedures, session logistics, and much, much more!  

Yes, the Orientation Leader job is paid an hourly rate of $14.00/hour. 

On-campus housing will be available for OLs that are in need of summer housing. More information will be shared if you are invited to an Individual Interview in October. If you are in need of housing for Summer 2026 in order to perform the responsibilities of being an Orientation Leader, please indicate this on your application (This will not impact our decision in any way).