Week 15: Orientation Schedule and Student Employment

Issue #15

Orientation Schedule and Student Employment

New Student Orientation Schedule is Posted!

August is almost here, and we can’t wait for you to join us on campus! Orientation sessions take place virtually from August 12-23, then resume in person when you move to campus on Sunday, August 25. You’ll find the full orientation schedule here. 

Orientation activities are designed to help you build social connections and friendships, navigate your first classes, and introduce you to academic advising. You’ll also learn about important campus offices, resources, and your new home of Oberlin and the City of Cleveland. Finally, we’ll help you understand our inclusive community, our commitment toward equity, and important policies that help us maintain everyone’s safety.

On Thursday, August 29th, the first day of classes, New Student Orientation shifts to Welcome Week—a week of concerts, open houses, special meals, and other fun events open to all new and returning students.

For questions about Orientation or Welcome Week, please contact Director of Student Involvement and Orientation, Tina Zwegat.

‌Who’s Who at Orientation

These are the returning students that you’ll meet during Orientation:

• Orientation leaders—recognized by their matching t-shirts—will answer your questions and serve as a resource for you and your family. They will also take attendance at Orientation and Welcome Week activities.
• Student-athletes, wearing team jerseys and gray baseball caps, will be stationed at various residence halls to assist with move-in.  
• PALS and ConPALS, or Peer Advising Leaders, will lead cohorts of students to help orient you to Oberlin’s academic and social life. You’ll learn more about PALs in next week’s edition of Ready, Set, Oberlin! 
• RAs, or Residential Assistants, will help to build community in your residence hall. 

Student Employment at Oberlin

The Student Employment Office welcomes our new students! Oberlin offers not only great opportunities to learn, but also the chance to gain job skills and knowledge that can help you transition into your professional life after graduation. Last year, more than 1,700 students held jobs on campus!

If you are considering a campus job, you’ll need to bring to Oberlin several federally required employment authorization documents. The list of acceptable documents may be found on page 3 of the I-9 form. Please note that photocopies, scans, emails, or pictures of these documents are not acceptable. Per federal regulations, original, unexpired documents must be submitted in person to the Student Employment Office no later than three days after your employment start date. Documents cannot be submitted before an employment offer has been accepted.

Please visit oberlin.edu/studentemployment (click the “Information for Students” box) for additional information and resources. This section includes links to Oberlin’s job posting site, payment guidelines, new student hire requirements, and more.  Please note that direct deposit is a condition of employment and can be set up in OberView.

Cristal Ramos '24

“During my time here at Oberlin I have worked in the dining halls, the Student Employment Office, and as a Peer Mentor through the Center for Student Success. With each job, I have valued the opportunities to learn more about the staff within these offices and the ways in which they function. I think that as a student worker I have been able to see the way the college operates not only in the perspective of a student who studies here, but as an employee who is able to see the college staff work towards their desired goals while attempting to improve student life for everyone.

I believe my student jobs on campus have taught me a lot about self-discipline as well as how to communicate within a professional environment. Additionally, my jobs have taught me specific skills I believe I can apply to my career pursuits. For instance, in the Student Employment Office, I have learned a lot about digitizing historic files using scanning systems such as OnBase which, as a History major, can be a useful as well as an interesting experience.”

Hunter Wilson '24

“The most important quality of my student job experience is flexibility. As a student-athlete, it can be hard to schedule times to work. However, my student job is extremely flexible, so I am able to pick hours that are best suited for my needs and put me in the best situation to succeed. My student job allows me to focus on my education while exposing me to time management skills. I schedule my study and free times around my class, work, and athletics responsibilities. Being exposed to these kinds of things will make life after Oberlin less stressful.”

Nora McIntyre '24

“My student jobs have let me meet and interact with people I wouldn't have known otherwise, from other students to faculty and staff and even alumni!

Through my jobs, I've gained skills that will be applicable in any field I choose to go into after graduation, especially interpersonal skills.”