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Apply to Orientation & Transition!

TA Group

2023 OA Team Photo

The Office of Student Orientation and Transition offers students an opportunity to apply to serve in several student leadership roles on campus. You can apply to be an Orientation Advisor, Orientation Office Assistant and/or a Teaching Assistant and assist us as we support new students' in their transition to the University of Maryland, College Park. 

View our positions below!

Be a part of the Fall 2024 UNIV100 TA Cohort

Apply Now! - Applications due February 11th at 11:59PM EST

Position Description

Nominate a Student

Teaching Assistant Interest Form

WHAT IS A UNIV100 TEACHING ASSISTANT?

UNIV100 Teaching Assistants (UNIV100 TA) serve as co-instructors and mentors within a section of UNIV100. They are considered student leaders and foundational members of the Office of Student Orientation and Transition. 

UNIV100 TAs are trained by the Office of Student Orientation and Transition in leadership development, communication skills, helping skills, and educational pedagogy to help them form meaningful relationships with incoming first-year students while co-facilitating a section of UNIV100 with a professional staff member at UMD.

WHAT IS UNIV100?

UNIV100 is a one-credit seminar course that helps new students get the most out of their first semester at the University of Maryland. Students get to the opportunity to learn about campus resources while developing academic and social skills that will help them be successful throughout their experience at UMD!

Students will be in small classrooms (no more than 20) where they will develop a network of supportive peers. Classes are led by faculty and staff members from across campus that help connect students to the experiences they want!

Some topics students may learn about are:

  • Getting involved on campus with leadership opportunities and student organizations
  • Academic resources, study skills, and library resources
  • How to be a holistically healthy Terp
  • Campus traditions and athletics
  • How to be an impactful member of an inclusive campus community
  • Lots more!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

  • UNIV100 TAs will be trained in a variety of highly sought after skills, including: leadership exploration and development, interpersonal and group communication, mentoring and helping students, classroom management.
  • UNIV100 TAs will have the opportunity to form meaningful connections with students experiencing a critical life transition. 
  • TAs are seen as student leaders, mentors, and upon completing the role are coached to use their skills to pursue other leadership roles, internships, or jobs on and off campus.
  • Upon completion of the UNIV100 TA role, you have the opportunity to apply for two paid leadership positions within the UNIV100 program; the UNIV100 TA Coordinator and the UNIV100 Returning TA Role.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

Want to learn more? Complete our UNIV100 TA Interest Form

Questions? Contact us at transitionprograms@umd.edu

Nominate a student to become a UNIV100 TA!

Instructors are encouraged to nominate students for the UNIV100 TA position. Nominated students will be contacted directly by our team and encouraged to apply for this impactful leadership role. You can nominate a student by completing this brief form.

Applications for the 2024 New Student Orientation Staff have closed.  


Check back here in the Fall semester for the 2025 NSO applications.

WHAT IS THE NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION STAFF?

At the Office of Student Orientation and Transition, our mission is to assist new undergraduate students in their transition to the University of Maryland, College Park. Our office is dedicated to hiring a well-rounded, diverse staff that is reflective of the student population we serve. As part of the New Student Orientation Staff, you will have the opportunity to enhance your public speaking and leadership skills, learn to work on a team, and develop relationships with your peers, as well as UMD faculty and staff.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

Want to learn more? Come to one of our information sessions to learn more about the application process, and what it means to be an Orientation Advisor or Orientation Office Assistant.  

  • Information Sessions will begin in October 2024. See times and locations above! 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS/COMPENSATION?

  • Working in the best office on campus!
  • $3750 Stipend
  • On-campus housing during the summer
  • Summer Eppley Recreation Center Pass
  • Terp Swag
  • Summer Parking Pass
  • Program Meals
  • And much more!

UNIV100 Teaching Assistants

  • Can I apply to be a UNIV100 TA if I am a first year student?
    • Yes! We believe your first-hand, recent experience with the first-year experience at the University of Maryland is very valuable! Additionally, you will be a sophomore by the time you begin your in-class TA experience, trained with the skill needed to be an impactful leader. 
  • Can I apply to be a UNIV100 TA if I did not take UNIV100?
    • Yes! We encourage any student who is passionate about mentoring new students while developing their leadership skills to apply. 
  • Can I apply to be a UNIV100 TA if I am a transfer student?
    • Yes! We very much value the experience of transfer students. 
  • Will I receive training to be a UNIV100 TA
    • Yes! UNIV100 TAs are trained in: lesson planning, classroom management, leadership skills, communication skills, community building, and more during their training courses (EDCP498T & EDUC388U).
  • What if I can’t fit EDCP498 into my Spring class schedule?
    • All TAs are required to take our Spring EDCP498T course. This course allows us to prepare you for the classroom through lesson planning, classroom management, the development of your leadership skills and allows us to build community as a team to prepare for the fall. Most students are able to count this course as an upper-level elective. This class can be taken with other required courses.
  • Can I request to teach with a specific UNIV100 Instructor?
    • Yes! Once selected, UNIV100 TAs will be asked if they have preferences for the instructor and/or section they are assigned to. If the instructor submits a mutual request and it fits the student’s schedule, you will be paired.

New Student Orientation Staff

  • Does the Office of New Student Orientation and Transition hire first year students?
    • ABSOLUTELY! Our office hires all undergraduate students except for graduating seniors. 
  • Should I apply to be an Orientation Advisor or Orientation Office Assistant?
    • Both of our available positions are critical to the success of the Office of New Student Orientation and Transition. We encourage you to check out both position descriptions and responsibilities and if you have questions email us at orientation@umd.edu
  • Do we get time off during the summer when we work for New Student Orientation?
    • New Student Orientation Staff Members work full time Monday  through Friday for the entirety of the summer. We do not hold New Student Orientation Programs the week of July 4th. Our professional staff makes exceptions for special life events such as funerals, weddings, & graduations of relatives. All requests off must be shared in advance with the exception of funerals. We, unfortunately, cannot allow requests for family vacations and encourage people to schedule trips during our specific week off. All staff members will receive a certain number of days off including mental health days. These days are determined based on the staffing needs of the program. New Student Orientation Staff will receive their schedule after spring break in March, so that they have ample amount of time to make arrangements around their work schedule. 
  • Am I allowed to take summer classes or seek other employment while working for New Student Orientation?
    • Some students in the past have worked other jobs on the weekend or taken asynchronous online classes while working for the Office of Student Orientation and Transition. You would need to get any classes or additional employment approved by our office to ensure the schedules will not conflict with our program. So long as the schedules do not conflict and you feel you can manage the workload of two jobs or additional coursework, we are happy to accomodate this request. 
  • What if I can’t fit HESI318O in my Spring 2024 class schedule?
    • All New Student Orientation Staff Members are required to take our Spring 2024 HESI318O course on Tuesdays from 6:00 PM-8:30 PM. This course allows us to go over the fundamentals of orientation, transition, & retention, build community as a staff and prepare for the summer. Most students are able to count this course as an upper-level elective. This class can be taken with other required courses. 
  • The position description says you require staff to live on campus. What if I commute or live in off campus housing?
    • Our office hires commuter students, out-of-state students, and students who have lived both on and off campus. If you have concerns about moving into a residence hall for the Summer - please email orientation@umd.edu.
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