Want to grow your leadership skills, build professional experience, make connections with peers and support the Orange community? Then consider applying to be an Orientation Leader (OL)! You likely encountered some OLs during your first few days on campus your first year welcoming students and helping with move-in festivities, and now you might have the opportunity to become one yourself! Read on for 10 reasons why you should apply to become a 2025 Orientation Leader.
1. The First-Years
If you attended Welcome Week events during your first year on campus, you may remember the Orientation Leaders that you met (if you need something to jog your memory, they wore bright orange polos!). Whether they led your small group, helped you move in or played games with you at orientation events, they may have made an impact during an often stressful and lonely time. For OLs, the best part of New Student Orientation is engaging with first-years and watching them become more comfortable and outgoing throughout their time on campus, and sometimes even applying to be an OL the next year!
2. The Team
One of the best reasons to join the OL team is the people you meet. The OL team is made up of people from all across campus, and we can confidently say that we may never have met some of these amazing people had we not all applied for this role. You’re able to learn so much from each other and create lasting relationships, and even though that’s not the reason people typically become Orientation Leaders, it is absolutely one of the best perks.
3. Small Groups
If you were to ask an Orientation Leader their favorite part of New Student Orientation, most would probably say small groups. When you lead a group of 10-15 first-year students, you have a chance to share the highs and lows of your own first-year experience. Small groups are honest spaces where first-years can share their hopes and fears of college, as well as become more comfortable with the students around them through icebreakers and casual activities. Even better, first-years in small groups together sometimes become best friends!
4. Reflecting on Your First-Year Experience
So many past OLs became Orientation Leaders because of their own first-year experiences. Even if they had trouble adjusting (or maybe thought of transferring!), they knew that the Orientation Leaders they interacted with played a big role in making them more comfortable on Syracuse University’s campus. This is great motivation when it comes time for us to do the same as OLs!
5. Professional Development
Transparently, being an Orientation Leader is a huge resume boost! You gain professional experience with things like time management, leadership skills and adaptability. Additionally, you have the opportunity to meet staff and faculty from several offices across campus. We spent time with the Dean of Students during Spring New Student Orientation just a month ago! All of these skills and experiences will prove to be very helpful when we graduate and move into professional careers.
6. Free Merch
If you’ve ever seen the gigantic 40-ounce bright orange water bottle with “Orientation Leader” printed on the side anywhere around campus, then you know exactly what we’re talking about! OLs always look forward to the awesome free swag we get every year, from jackets to bright orange polos to backpacks. The best part about this (other than everyone looking uniform during events) is that it’s a great way to spot fellow OLs on campus well into the school year after we’ve been missing seeing each other every day during orientation periods.
7. Team Bonding
Being an Orientation Leader may be a big responsibility, but a huge plus is being able to enjoy all the fun team bonding activities during OL training! Orientation Leaders participate in all sorts of team bonding activities, from tackling the ropes course on South Campus to competing in our own version of “Survivor”! During training, we played kickball, made TikToks for our OL social media account and just generally had an amazing time together as a team. Bonding activities provide a relaxed and fun way to get to know your fellow OLs before orientation events begin. Trust us—by the end of training, you’ll feel completely at home with the team!
8. Discussing Academics
As a basic requirement, every OL is a college student first, meaning that in addition to talking about student life, we have an excuse to hype up our schools and colleges. From panels to small groups, there are so many chances to plug our academic programs and highlight the opportunities they offer. There are interesting opportunities offered by every school and college on campus, and having the chance to talk about them with incoming students is very exciting!
9. Sharing the Syracuse Spirit
Each Orientation Leader takes on the role for different reasons, but at our cores, we all share a deep love for Syracuse University. We volunteer our time to welcome new students and families, sharing the passion we have with them. At the same time, serving as an OL deepens our own appreciation for Syracuse. In other words, your love for Syracuse University not only strengthens, but also grows exponentially when you dedicate yourself to this role!
10. Leaving a Lasting Impact on New Students
Many first-year students say that Orientation Leaders play a huge role in easing their anxiety about coming to Syracuse for the first time. As an OL, you’re the bridge between incoming students and the Syracuse University community, helping them feel welcomed and supported. This role gives you the chance to make a lasting impact—students often remember the OLs who made their first week on campus feel comfortable, exciting and unforgettable. This is your chance to be that person for an incoming student!
If these reasons convinced you to become an Orientation Leader, you can apply on Handshake right now! Applications are due this Sunday, Feb. 9. You can also learn more about the role, including qualifications, responsibilities and benefits, by visiting the New Student Programs website.
Written By Lucy DiSalvo ’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Sydney Trapp ’26, David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, 2024 Orientation Leader Team Members