Who can apply?
Any Calvin student with the following characteristics may apply for the Orientation Intern position:
- Committed to helping new students make a smooth and successful adjustment to Calvin
- Willingness to exercise gifts of creativity, hospitality, and service
- Possesses general understanding of Calvin's campus environment (current or previous experience in orientation, a student organization, student leadership, or campus office is required)
- Demonstrates confidence and maturity in interpersonal relationships
- Strives to manifest Christian commitment in thought, word, and deed
- Preference will be given to upperclassmen students
- Maintains full-time student status at Calvin and fulfills the college's eligibility requirements for participation in campus activities as reflected in the Student Handbook.
- Has a minimum GPA of 2.5.
In addition, experience has taught us that serving as both an Orientation Intern and as an RA or in residence hall leadership is not possible. Therefore, if a student accepts an Intern position, he or she cannot pursue an RA or residence hall leadership position for the fall. The time commitment of each leadership position precludes service in both simultaneously.
Specific responsibilities
Orientation Interns will begin in February of 2013 and will complete their service on September 16, 2013, except for assisting in the selection of the following year's Orientation Interns in the winter. They will be involved in all aspects of Calvin's orientation programs, including the programs for first-year students, transfer students, and parents.
Orientation Interns are required to be available during the spring and summer months to coordinate and staff the program. Interns will be given 4 vacation days during the summer that can be taken at appropriate times.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
March-May (Interns are required to be enrolled on-campus during spring semester.)
Intern commitment will be between 5-10 hours per week between February 19 and final exams.
Students will be compensated hourly during the spring.
They will establish an outline and time line for all orientation operations.
Interns will attend weekly scheduled meetings to receive training for their position, build camaraderie, set goals, and discuss and plan summer and fall orientation.
Interns will coordinate and participate in the selection of Orientation Leaders and plan the first group meetings with them.
May - September
Interns will begin to work in the office full-time on Sunday, May 19, 2013.
During the summer, interns will organize and plan for Passport and Quest.
Interns will finalize and execute all events and activities related to Passport, and will ensure that Passport runs efficiently and effectively.
During the four Passport orientation sessions, interns will be responsible for operations of all the orientation activities.
Interns will participate in orientation leader training and provide leadership for them during Quest.
Interns will participate in a complete evaluation of the orientation program.
In addition, interns will work 10 hours in the beginning of the fall to assist the Student Development staff in the selection process for the following year's Orientation Interns during the spring semester.
What's the compensation?
Orientation Interns will receive $4,250 for their dedicated efforts and an hourley wage during the spring Free housing in the Knollcrest East apartments is also available during the summer.
All applicants should plan on attending one of two mandatory Informational meetings. All application materials must be returned to the Student Development Office in the Commons Annex, no later than Friday, Feb. 1 by noon. Applicants will only be considered once all materials, including online recommendations, are submitted.
Steps to apply:
- Attend an Informational Meeting on Jan. 18 at 12:15-12:45pm, or Jan. 30 at 4-4:30pm in the Student Development Office
- Complete the online application
- Contact three people to submit online recommendations. Applicants are responsible for contacting their references and ensuring that the recommendation forms are submitted by noon on February 1.
- Email a resume to rjl5@calvin.edu (resume must be in PDF format)
- Complete your case study that is emailed to you if you have been selected for an interview
- Sign up online for an interview time
What's the selection process?
Application materials will be reviewed and successful candidates will be invited to sign-up for individual interviews scheduled for February 4-6. Applicants will be asked to prepare a presentation on one of four case studies that will be made available to them when they submit their recommendations and resume. Following the individual interviews, applicants will be evaluated and may have the opportunity for the second round of interviews. Applicants will be invited to attend a dinner on Thursday, February 7 at 6pm and then a group interview on Saturday, February 9 at 6:00am. Applicants must attend these interviews in order to be considered for this position.
