Want to be an SOSer?
The Student Orientation Staff is looking for qualified students to help complete our dynamic team for 2026!
Being an SOSer is a great way to grown personally and professionally while helping new students transition to UofL at New Cards Orientation! As an SOSer, you will mentor and guide new students through the ins and outs of life as a Cardinal. This position is also a great way to make connections to campus. If you want to be a leader on campus and wear the coveted red polo, apply online to join our team.
SOSer Application Process & Interview Timeline
Each year a group of enthusiastic and responsible undergraduate students are selected to become members of the Student Orientation Staff. In this capacity, they serve as resources for new students and their families and assist UofL staff with the planning and implementation of orientation. SOSers are expected to make the Orientation experience an exciting and fun welcome to the UofL community.
Selection as an SOSer is both a unique honor and rewarding opportunity for personal and professional growth. Recognized by the university administration and faculty for their contributions, this team of leaders has a significant amount of responsibility as well as many privileges. As a vital member of this dynamic team, SOSers enjoy a memorable experience while providing a valuable service to the University of Louisville.
Qualifications & Commitments
To be eligible, each candidate must:
- Exhibit leadership potential
- Exhibit a commitment to the University and orientation program goals
- Adhere to a strong code of ethics
- Exhibit strong interpersonal and group presentation skills
- Demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse group of people, including students, parents, faculty and staff
- Be in good judicial standing at the University
- Have a cumulative UofL GPA of 2.8 or higher by the end of the previous semester before applying and Fall AND Spring semesters once hired. First semester freshmen must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA to apply.
- Be a current undergraduate student until at least December 2026.
- Be enrolled in classes full time
An SOSer provides assistance to new students and parents:
- Welcome new students and parents to UofL.
- Develop a rapport with new students and parents/family members, especially with those in their small groups.
- Help to make new students feel welcome and get involved with the UofL community.
- Be accessible and willing to share information with parents and students throughout each orientation session.
- Prepare and conduct well-organized and thorough small group meetings and/or campus tours for new students and their parents.
- Serve as an academic and social role model at all times.
- Complete all logistical tasks as requested by the Orientation staff to ensure the program proceeds smoothly and effectively. Assist presenters at scheduled programs, meetings, and sessions throughout orientation.
- Maintain regular communications with Orientation supervisors and discuss situations that warrant their attention or action.
- With a positive attitude, participate in all assigned duties of Orientation fully and take initiative with unanticipated tasks or problems.
An SOSer is an academic role model for new students:
- Communicate information to students about academic resources and student activities/services available at UofL.
- Assist students with their understanding of academic requirements. SOSers may assist with course scheduling.
- Educate students about their responsibilities at UofL by explaining university policies and procedures.
- Help students understand all logistical information in order to ease their transition into university life.
- SOSers must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 once hired.
SOSers are representatives of the SOS Program, Orientation Programs, and the University of Louisville. Failure to complete responsibilities or inappropriate conduct may result in a warning, probation, or removal from staff.
Although orientation does not occur until the summer, there are many events and training experiences during the fall and spring semesters that SOSers are required to attend. The live-in period of this position begins early May through mid July. SOSers are also required to work other special events, such as Welcome Week.
SOSers selected for the 2026 summer will be responsible for the following program commitments. Please discuss any conflicts or questions with the Orientation Programs professional staff: sara.eversole@louisville.edu
| November 21, 2025 | SOS Kickoff: Our first official event as an SOS Staff! Hosted in the Belknap Academic Building. |
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| January 24, 2026 | Staff Retreat Day: Our staff will spend the day together to start our personal and team development as we get ready for the spring semester and summer. |
| Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm in the Spring Semester | Development Days & Skit Practices: Beginning January 27, 2026, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:00 pm will be reserved for staff training and development and Real World skit practices during the spring semester. |
| March 20 - 22, 2026 | Student Orientation Staff Conference: This orientation conference is a great way for our staff to learn the importance of their role, how to perform certain aspects of their role, and create impactful staff connections and team development. Attendance is mandatory for this conference (unless given permission by SOS supervisors. Permission given on a case-by-case basis for academic conflicts). |
| 3 days in early May (dates TBA) | SOS Retreat: To kick off the summer and bond as a team, we will have an off-campus overnight retreat leading up to training. |
| Early May (date TBA) | On-Campus Live-On: All staff members are required to stay overnight in the designated residence hall during training weeks and the evenings before and during orientation sessions. Move-in will take place early May. The designated residence hall is Belknap Village North. |
| Early to mid May (dates TBA) | Training Week: Training week will be early May with no training on the weekend. Staff may be expected to hold some evenings for training. |
| May - July | Orientation Sessions: SOSers will be required to work all freshman orientation dates. Sessions typically run from the end of May to the beginning of July with a session in August. See Important Dates for details. |
| July - August | Virtual Outreach: In July and August, SOSers will stay connected with students using group message (GroupMe, Slack, Facebook Campus, etc) and will send information each week to their students and respond to questions as they arise. Outreach will also include Cards Connection emails. |
| TBA | Welcome Week: SOSers are required to work some of the events for this program which occurs the week before classes begin. |
TBA - Dates will likely be from late-May to mid-July.
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SOSers will be given a schedule of assigned tasks but are expected to be available at all times during orientation for all sessions. As the position is seasonal and unique, time off will not be granted except in limited and extenuating circumstances. Any time off must be discussed with supervisors in advance.
Unless arrangements are made ahead of time, no other employment is allowed that would conflict with any orientation commitments.
SOSers cannot take courses during the Summer terms. The only exception may be for online courses in Summer Term III.
Application & Interview Process
Applications for the 2026 Student Orientation Staff will be available beginning Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
1
Review the Position Description
Review the position description and important dates. These dates are critical to the position. If you have any questions about these dates, or potential conflicts, please email the Orientation Programs office at orient@louisville.edu.
2
Apply on Engage
Apply online beginning Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Fill out the application on Engage, which includes three short answer questions, and attach your resume (no more than two pages) and photo. All applications must be submitted by Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.
3
Request a Recommendation
Ask one UofL faculty/staff, high school teacher or staff member, mentor, or supervisor to complete the online recommendation form. Do not ask a current SOSer for a recommendation. Recommendation forms will be accepted during the application period and are due by Friday, October 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.
4
Group Interviews
We will notify applicants within 48 hours of the application closing and invite selected candidates to sign up for a Group Interview time. Group Interviews will be held on Thursday, November 6 between 3:00 - 9:00 pm ET. Interviews are in 1-hour time blocks. During a group interview, you will complete a series of activities with other candidates.
5
Individual Interviews
If selected for the second interview round, you will be contacted to sign up for a 20-minute individual interview to be held Sunday, November 9 - Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
Notification of our selections for the 2026 Student Orientation Staff will be made shortly thereafter.
Benefits of being an SOSer
As a member of the Student Orientation Staff, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the University of Louisville community and share what you love about our campus with incoming students. SOSers work hard and gain professional and leadership experience along the way. The Student Orientation Staff has a rich history on UofL's campus of being a tight-knit group of students who work as a team, support one another, and have an exceptional summer experience while making an impact on the incoming freshman class.
*Note that SOSers will be responsible for providing some elements of their uniform (including your shoes and bottoms), and personal items for living in the residence hall. SOSers are occasionally responsible for minimal costs associated with driving/carpooling to staff retreats and staff social outings. Please email sara.eversole@louisville.edu if you have any questions or concerns about this preventing your ability to participate in the SOS program.
Have the summer of a lifetime - be an SOSer!
