My sophomore year of college, I was acquainted with the orientation team at my college. Kind of ironic, isn’t it? It was my second year, and I was no incoming student, yet I surrounded myself with the very people whose job it was to welcome recently accepted students to the school and to a new chapter in their lives. But to me, the orientation team wasn’t just an orientation team. They were a group of amazing, warmhearted individuals who I felt were brought to me at a time when I really needed support, love and friendship during my college career.
I loved them so much and was so inspired by what they do, that the following summer, I wanted to work alongside them and bring back the kindness and warmth they gave to me onto new students.
Because I didn’t meet some of the qualifications, I couldn’t be an actual Orientation Leader. But that didn’t mean they didn’t have any use for me. Each week, during the first day of an orientation session, Mondays and Thursdays, I would wake up, make the twenty minute commute to campus, and then spend the morning holding the main doors for families and students to walk inside. I’d help greet them with a warm smile and a big welcome to the school. It was a bit repetitive since I’d be saying the same thing to every new family that comes in, but it was very much enjoyable.
Not all of the orientation leaders from the summer before returned to continue on their job. Only five of them remained. It was sad to see the rest go and pursue different interests and hobbies over the summer, but I was glad to have the remaining five; five of the best people I could ask for to help make my first summer job an amazing experience.
I even got to acquaint myself with the new recruits. My co-partner in holding the doors with me is one of the sweetest girls I have ever met. Admittedly, I was anxious in meeting her since I was afraid she wouldn’t like me and we wouldn’t click as much. But my fears turned out to be for nothing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her, a loving, sweet, down-to-earth girl who I am honored to now call one of my dear friends. As for the rest of them, the same amount of general friendliness and kindness is always indubitably spread around. They never ostracized me and they were able to take to me quickly as one of their own.
With all the waking up early in the morning and all the time spent on my feet and not being able to take a complete rest, it was still a truly rewarding experience. I got to be in the same environment as my best friends and even took a chance to add some more into my circle. Along with that, I was able to get a closer look on what it was like to run orientation. The team really does a lot to ensure that each orientation session runs as smoothly as it can be and that new students and families are given the warm, friendly welcome reception they deserve. They work hard and their efforts truly pay off.
Thank you to the whole orientation team. Not just for working your butts off every day to give off a fun experience for all. But, even while you do that, you still manage to find time to make sure I know I am always welcomed among you and kept me from having a freak attack over my first job.
Most of all...you kept me around. From sophomore year till now. I am truly blessed.
