New Student Orientation (NSO) at Penn State's University Park campus welcomes approximately 9,600 new students and over 10,000 parents and family members to Penn State each summer. Reporting to both Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, Student Orientation and Transition Programs, through collaborative partnerships, is responsible for providing a comprehensive learning experience for all Penn State undergraduate students that supports a successful academic, social, and personal transition to the University. Critical to the success of NSO are the following job opportunities:

• Orientation Operations Coordinator
• Welcome Week Coordinator
• Orientation Team Coordinator
• NSO Front Line
• Orientation Leader
• Check-In Crew

Orientation Operations Coordinator

The Orientation Operations Coordinator will be critical to the success of Penn State’s New Student Orientation (NSO) program. NSO at Penn State’s University Park campus welcomes approximately 9,500 new students and over 10,000 parents and family members to Penn State each summer.  

The Orientation Operations Coordinator will assist with the support of our frontline customer service team, which includes email and phone support for new students and their families. Additionally, the Orientation Operations Coordinator will run daily processes in LionPATH, Starfish, and VisualZen Orientation that are critical to New Student Orientation.   

Successful candidates will be detail oriented, motivated, flexible, and adaptable to change. The ability to work independently, while recognizing the importance of teamwork in achieving goals, is a critical element of this position. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and is ideal for current graduate students looking for a summer internship. Compensation is $20.00/hour. 

The required start date for this position is May 12, 2025 and end date is August 24, 2025. This part-time position includes a non-standard work schedule, which includes some weekend and evening work (e.g., 10:00am-7:00pm, 7:30am-4:30pm). Candidates can expect up to 30 hours per week between May and August. 

Material review will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. 

To apply, visit https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff and search for REQ_0000064964 Orientation Operations Coordinator.

Welcome Week Coordinator

The Welcome Week Coordinator will plan and execute summer welcome (June 29 through July 2) for the 2000 students starting at Penn State during summer session II. Additionally, this role will management for NSO check-in, and plan fall welcome (August 21-August 29).

Successful candidates will be detail oriented, motivated, flexible, and adaptable to change. The ability to work independently, while recognizing the importance of teamwork in achieving goals, is a critical element of this position. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and is ideal for current graduate students looking for summer work. Compensation is $20.00/hour.  

The required start date for this position is the week of May 12, 2025 and end date is July 25, 2025. There is a strong possibility to extend employment through August 29, 2025. This part-time position includes a non-standard work schedule, which includes some weekend and evening work (e.g., 10:00am-7:00pm, 7:30am-4:30pm). Candidates can expect between 30-40 hours per week between May and July.  

Material review will begin immediately and continue until position is filled.

To apply, visit https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff and search for REQ_0000066485 Welcome Week Coordinator.

Orientation Team Coordinator

The Orientation Team Coordinator will assist with the training, supervision, and management of a diverse undergraduate student staff, including 30-35 orientation leaders; managing the performance review process for student staff; and serving as an on-call staff member during the summer program. There are two positions available.

Additionally, the Orientation Team Coordinator will serve as a member of the NSO Director Team which includes rotating with other professional staff as the person in charge of the NSO program day, serving as the on-call staff member during the summer program, presenting various orientation sessions to students and their guests, assisting with the planning and execution of Summer Welcome Week, and other duties as assigned. This position works a non-standard work schedule that includes evenings and weekends (e.g., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m.-midnight).

The required work dates include a series of director summits at the end of the spring 2025 semester (dates are to be determined, but scheduled with consideration for existing commitments). In summer 2025, the expected work dates will follow the below schedule. For an optimal viewing experience, please view on a desktop or laptop computer.

Required to work on Green Days:

• May 14-16; 19-23; 27-30
• June 2-6; 8-13; 15-18; 20; 22-27; 29-30
• July 1-3; 14-18; 20-24

Optional work on Blue Days if available:

• August 17-24

Not expected to work on Gray Days:

• May 1-13; 17-18; 24-26; 31
• June 1; 7; 14; 19; 21; 28
• July 4-13; 19; 25-31
• August 1-16

Successful candidates will be detail-oriented, motivated, flexible, and adaptable to change. Ability to work independently while recognizing the importance of teamwork in achieving goals is a critical element of this position. This position requires a bachelor’s degree and is ideal for current graduate students looking for a summer internship. Compensation is $20.00/hour for approximately 20-35 hours per week, depending on program needs.

Material review will begin mid-February and continue until the positions are filled. To apply for this position, please visit WorkLion (if you currently have an on-campus job) or WorkDay (if you currently do not have an on-campus job) and search for position "Orientation Team Coordinator" job requisition ID REQ_0000063617. Questions about the position or NSO can be directed to Becki Leonard (becki@psu.edu).

Employment Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

NSO Front Line

Student Orientation and Transition Program is seeking detail-oriented and self-motivated individuals to support new Penn State students and their families in their transition to the University in their part-time NSO Front Line staff. The NSO Front Line staff manage email and phone communications with new students and their families.

Reporting to both Student Affairs and Undergraduate Education, Student Orientation and Transition Programs, through collaborative partnerships, is responsible for providing a comprehensive learning experience for all Penn State undergraduate students that supports a successful academic, social, and personal transition to the University. 

The NSO Front Line team members will:

• Greet new students and their families, provide information, and refer as appropriate.
• Screen and process routine telephone calls and emails.
• Assist in maintaining files and databases; assemble and format data to create simple reports.
• Use VisualZen Orientation (VZO) to assist students and their families through the orientation process.
• Assist in preparing documents, meeting materials, correspondence.
• Maintain confidential and sensitive information and materials.
• Support office leadership by running weekly enrollment reports that inform office programming and support.
• Manage particular accommodation requests for new students and their guests in preparation for NSO.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of office and program supplies.
• Provide support for in-person NSO programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

To apply for this position, please visit WorkLion (if you currently have an on-campus job) or WorkDay (if you currently do not have an on-campus job) and search for "NSO Front Line." Questions about the position can be directed to Michelle Malinich (mam8645@psu.edu).

The following background checks must be successfully completed for this position: standard background checks and publicly available clearances.

Orientation Leader

Student Orientation & Transition Program (SOTP) is seeking a diverse team of undergraduate students from all class levels at University Park to serve as Orientation Leaders (OLs). Orientation Leaders will play a key role in providing a quality transitional experience for all incoming first-year students at University Park. We are looking for student leaders who are go-getters, authentic, conscientious, enthusiastic, reflective, open to new challenges, and passionate about serving Penn State and the broader community to help us do this important work. 

Benefits: 

As an Orientation Leader, students can expect to gain skills in public speaking, classroom and event management, customer service, collaboration, and leadership. OLs will be supported in their personal and professional development goals including the potential for letters of recommendation. Orientation Leaders will also be supported with competitive student pay at $15/hour and be provided exclusive Penn State NSO apparel. There are 5 positions available. To learn more, please visit https://oteam.psu.edu/. 

Material review is ongoing and will continue until all positions are filled. To apply for this position, please visit WorkLion (if you currently have an on-campus job) or WorkDay (if you currently do not have an on-campus job). You can also search and search for "REQ_0000061892 2025 Orientation Leader". Each applicant must fill out this interview pre-screen in addition to the online application. Questions about this position should be directed to oteam@psu.edu.

Check-In Crew

Student Orientation and Transition Programs (SOTP) is seeking motivated and friendly individuals to serve as members of our Check-In Crew. This is a part-time position starting in June 2025 and concluding in August 2025 and is ideal for someone who has another part time job on campus.

Members of the Check-In Crew play a key role in welcoming new students to the University Park campus by facilitating the check-in process during New Student Orientation (NSO). This includes assisting over 600 new students and their guests during each program.

Responsibilities include handling confidential students records with responsibility and care; engaging with students, parents, and families while providing a welcoming environment; and maintaining flexibility in a fast-paced work environment. 

NSO Check-in requires availability between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on the dates listed below, except for June 29, when the time is 10:00-6:00 p.m. Successful candidates can expect to be scheduled for a minimum of 3 hours on each of those dates. In addition to the dates listed below, training will be required earlier in June.

Dates for NSO Check-In: June 16, June 17, June 22, June 24, June 26, June 29, July, 14, July 15, July 17, July 20, July 22, August 19, August 20, August 21.

This position includes a compensation of $15.00/hour and requires employees to pass a standard background check and maintain good conduct and academic standing with the University.

Material review will begin immediately and continue until all positions are filled. To apply for this position, please visit WorkLion (if you currently have an on-campus job) or WorkDay (if you currently do not have an on-campus job). You can also search and search for "REQ_0000066608 NSO Check-In Crew". Questions about this position should be directed to oteam@psu.edu.