Be an Orientation Advisor

Orientation Advisors holding welcome signs

Orientation Advisors

New Student Services (NSS) oversees orientation for thousands of incoming students each year, ensuring their successful transition, both academically and socially, to the University. Each year, NSS interviews, hires and trains a talented group of students, called Orientation Advisors (OAs), to assist in the development and execution of these orientation programs.

If you are looking for a fun and rewarding leadership opportunity, then consider applying to become an OA. OAs have a significant impact on incoming students—they are among the first people new students and families meet in their Longhorn journey! On-campus housing and meals, hourly wages and UT swag are simply the monetary benefits of becoming an OA.

Develop your leadership skills in countless ways, make lifelong friendships and serve as an ambassador for The University of Texas at Austin as an Orientation Advisor! 

Before you apply, review Helpful Tips for Orientation Advisor (OA) Candidates.

 

Interview Process

All interested applicants are required to attend an Orientation Advisor Information Session to be eligible to apply. Some information sessions will occur in-person and some will occur via Zoom. After you attend an OA Information Session an application link will be sent to you. 

All applicants must also attend both an Individual Interview and Group Interview in order to be eligible for a position.

Applications for Summer 2025 will open in Fall 2024. More information about the application timeline coming soon! Complete this interest form to recieve email updates when the application opens!


Summary of Orientation Advisor Positions

PositionStatus

1st Year Orientation Advisors

Serving as an Orientation Advisor (OA) provides the opportunity to have a significant impact on incoming students. Through their commitment to serving the University, OAs will receive in-depth personal and group leadership development, training on University traditions and history, job-specific skills and enhanced peer relationship-building techniques. Additionally, OAs receive peer academic advising training from academic counselors within respective colleges. OAs have a unique position with the ability to engage fellow Longhorns in one of the most important times of their college career, as they transition to campus and register for classes. OAs are selected in the fall term and enter into a probationary period during the spring term. As a part of the probationary period, OAs will have to enroll in and successfully complete the OA training class. Upon satisfactory completion of the OA training class and probationary period, OAs will be hired for employment beginning May 2024. Compensation includes an hourly wage. Students will also receive housing in an on-campus residence hall and a meal card for use during scheduled work or training hours during summer 2024.

CLOSED; Applications for Summer 2025 will open in Fall 2024. 

Complete this interest form to receive email updates when the application opens. 

2nd Year Orientation Advisors

Only students who have completed at least one year of the Orientation Advisor program are eligible to apply. 

2nd Year Orientation Advisors serve as role models for 1st Year OAs. They will complete all of the same duties as 1st Year Orientation Advisors and will bring a level of added expertise and professionalism to the program. Compensation includes an hourly wage. Students will also receive housing in an on-campus residence hall and a meal card for use during scheduled work or training hours during summer 2024. 

CLOSED

Leadership Team

Only students who have completed at least one year of the Orientation Advisor program are eligible to apply.

The Leadership Team provides significant guidance to Orientation Advisors, with the unique opportunity to impact peers and incoming students simultaneously. If selected, students will lead committees, assist in the training of Orientation Advisors and provide leadership to the orientation program. The Leadership Team will serve along with New Student Services staff to carry out the mission of New Student Services. Compensation includes an hourly wage. Students will also receive housing in an on-campus residence hall and a meal card for using during scheduled work or training hours during summer 2024.

CLOSED

Summer Orientation Staff (SOS)

Summer Orientation Staff (SOS) are former Orientation Advisors who work behind the scenes with orientation details and serve as a central location for new students to gain information during orientation. They are recognized by NSS staff as someone who possesses strong communication and organizational skills and are able to exhibit strong customer service and knowledge about the orientation program. They work on a number of projects within orientation, including Experiential Orientation. Compensation includes an hourly wage.

CLOSED

Applications for SOS will reopen mid-spring.

Summer Orientation Staff Coordinator (SOSC)

Summer Orientation Staff Coordinators (SOSC) are former Orientation Advisors who are able to lead their SOS peers with simultaneous projects throughout the summer to ensure a successful orientation experience for new students. They are recognized by NSS staff as someone who possesses strong leadership skills and the ability to lead by example to enhance the orientation program. Coordinators manage additional logistics for the team as a whole and work closely with the supervisor. Compensation includes an hourly wage.

CLOSED