Absolutely not! Just like with any new job, there is an extensive training process to prepare you in the spring. You’ll hear from many campus departments, learn Auburn Knowledge including history, traditions, and fun facts. Whether you are new to Auburn or have been here multiple years, the First Year Experience team will teach you everything you need to know to be successful in the role.  

Definitely not! A lot of different personalities are needed for the team to be successful as we work with so many different types of new students. We’ve had extroverted and outgoing people on the team, and others who are more quiet and reserved. There is not one style of successful Orientation Counselor, so be you and bring your personality to the interview and role. This role will also help develop your public speaking skills and become comfortable talking with anyone. So while you may be nervous to talk in front of a group of students or families now, that is ok. The training process is designed to help you build your confidence.  

Absolutely! Anyone can be an Orientation Counselor whether they started here freshman year or they transferred into the university. The First Year Experience team values each student’s experience transitioning into the university. The diverse perspectives of all our students, especially our transfer students, contribute to an amazing orientation team who can serve our incoming freshmen, transfer students, and their families. We often have transfer students who apply for this role during their first semester at Auburn and are very successful as Orientation Counselors. 

Being involved at Auburn is not a requirement for our role. We are looking for people who genuinely want to positively impact the incoming new students and their families regardless of their organization involvement. This opportunity has been the first Auburn leadership role some of the former counselors have had.  Former counselors have said that being an Orientation Counselor can be a great way to meet new people and make Auburn your own especially if you aren’t as involved. Many apply after only being at Auburn for a few months. To us, it is more about your performance throughout the interview process than your resume.

Absolutely! Being involved at Auburn is not a requirement for our role and does not put you at a disadvantage. Former counselors have said that being an Orientation Counselor can be a great way to meet new people and make Auburn your own especially if you aren’t as involved. Many apply after only being at Auburn for a few months and it is more about your performance throughout the interview process than your resume.  

In the spring you will meet from 2-5pm on Thursdays for training. You will need another 2-4 hours additionally to prepare for training, which may include studying for Auburn Knowledge tests or practicing for the small group presentations. While this is a big time commitment each week, it is often fun since you are around great people and learning about things you enjoy! 

Yes, just like anytime you add a new job or involvement opportunity, it may take some time management to balance this new responsibility. You will be in spring training for three hours each week and you’ll need another 2-4 hours to prepare for training. In the fall, you will have a very minimal time commitment. You will only need to be available for a short session preparation meeting before each session (1.5-2 hours) and the session itself.

We’ve previously had counselors who were leaders of other organizations, worked on or off campus, or took 18 hours. You will generally have all of the time commitments and tasks for First Year Experience in advance, so it just requires some planning and coordination.