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Summer jobs available on campus

Nov. 12, 2008

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's summer orientation program is accepting applications until 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 12, to fill 36 paid orientation student leader openings.

Potential applicants may learn more about the student leader position during informational meetings that have been scheduled in the Bernhard Center at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, in Room 157 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 in Room  204.

The orientation program, which is administered by First-Year Experience programs, helps some 4,000 new students make their transition to WMU each fall. FYE's orientation student leaders play a vital role in the process because they work directly with the new students and their parents who attend the University's month-long series of summer orientation sessions.

Qualified current students are encouraged to apply for one of this year's 36 openings. Faculty and staff are invited to refer qualified potential applicants.

Hirees will each receive estimated pay of $3,600, as well as room and board for the months of May and June. They must take part in four weeks of leadership training during May and work their assigned orientation sessions during June. Optional employment opportunities will be available during July.

"We're looking for a diverse group of undergraduate students who are committed and motivated," says Steve Booher, coordinator of orientation. "Orientation student leaders essentially become the face of the University, so it's extremely important that we employ the best leaders this campus has to offer."

Students seeking to become orientation student leaders must be undergraduates and have a 2.3 minimum grade point average, prior leadership experience or strong leadership potential, and a desire to enhance their leadership and interpersonal skills.

Their job responsibilities will include facilitating small groups of students and parents during orientation sessions, explaining University policies and procedures, working alongside WMU administrators to guide new students through the class scheduling and registration process, and formally helping FYE evaluate its orientation program.

"I was able to gain many contacts and networking opportunities in the WMU and Kalamazoo communities," one former orientation leader said about the benefits of serving in the post. Another student said his stint allowed him to develop "some of the best friendships of my entire life," while a third called it "the best summer of my life."

FYE also is in the process of hiring three co-coordinators for its 2009 Fall Welcome program. The application deadline for those positions, which can only be filled by WMU students who have served as a Fall Welcome ambassador, is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21.

Orientation student leader applications are available online at wmich.edu/fye as well as at the front desks of all residence halls, the Bernhard Center and the Seibert Administration Building. For more information or to refer a potential applicant, contact the Student Orientation Coordinator team at SOC-team@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2167.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
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(269) 387-8400
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