What is CalSO?
The Cal Student Orientation (CalSO) Program is part of New Student Services (NSS). Since the 1960s, CalSO has introduced new undergraduates and their families to the Berkeley campus. In addition to the summer and fall orientations, NSS staff work year-round organizing programs and publications such as Welcome Week, New Student Convocation, Calapalooza, Overnight Host Program, Summer Bridge, and Resource.

The key to our success is the group of continuing Cal students who help implement and facilitate our programs. After all, who knows the new student experience better than those who have already been through it?

What do CalSO counselors do?
Being a CalSO counselor is a commitment to helping new undergraduates and their families with their transition to Berkeley that involves more than working the summer programs:

Training
CalSO Class (Education 97/197): Starting spring semester all counselors must take this course (2 units, P/NP) which meets Wednesdays from 4-6pm. Students learn about campus resources and policies, public speaking skills, and how to mingle 'til they tingle.

Training also includes: a weekend retreat in early spring semester and fun field experiences such as serving as a student representative at receptions for newly admitted students and at Cal Day.

Camp CalSO, a two-week intensive training and work session immediately after finals.

The work
Summer Orientation Sessions: Counselors lead and facilitate groups of 10-20 new students or their guests during 16-18 orientation programs in June and July; listen to and address student and guest concerns; explain University procedures and policies; make presentations in front of large groups; and assist with program check-in.

Welcome Week Events: Counselors have the option to staff the Sproul Plaza information tent in late August and work the "Getting Your Bearings" orientation, Convocation, and Calapalooza.

Spring Admit Orientation Sessions: Counselors work three orientations for new spring students: two in late fall and one in mid-January.

Who joins the CalSO team?
Our goal is to hire students who, as a group, will represent the full spectrum of activities, interests, and experiences of Berkeley students including, but certainly not limited to:

• All majors, in all schools and colleges
• All ethnicities
• Straights, bisexuals, gays, lesbians, and trans
• Disabled
• New, continuing, transfer, and extension FPF students
• Re-entry and non-traditional students
• First generation/EOP students
• Commuters and apartment, co-op, and res hall residents
• Vegetarians, republicans, deadheads, athletes, Libras, bookworms, plaid fanciers, Greeks, Canadians, and New Yorkers
  

Minimum qualifications

• Currently registered Berkeley student
• Good academic standing (2.0+ GPA)
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Adept at performing independently and as part of a team
• Capable of working well with a diverse group of people and workstyles
• Ability to participate in all aspects of staff training including the CalSO staff retreat, spring semester Education 97/197 course, spring outreach events, and Camp CalSO
• Available to work all programs in June and July
  

What's in it for you?
First off, this job isn't going to make you rich. However, you will gain valuable experience and skills in public speaking, group facilitation, counseling, problem solving, and public relations, which will put you in good stead for any future career. You'll be able to reach out to new students and their families to bolster their confidence and help them take that first big step to Berkeley while performing a critical service for the University. You'll have opportunities to form long-lasting friendships with a diverse and close-knit group of students. And, you'll learn a lot about yourself.

Material remuneration

• About $3500 stipend for the summer
• Room and board (nine weeks in June and July)
• Commemorative clothing
• Beaded necklace you string yourself
• Plastic name tag and clipboard

After summer programs are over, counselors take a well-earned break and then have the option to work during Welcome Week and fall orientation programs (pay is hourly).

How does the selection process work?
Preliminary screening of counselor candidates will be based on the application.

Timeline

• Attend an information session in late September
• Applications due late September/early October
• Interview names posted early October
• First round interviews (with a group) in mid-October
• Second round interviews (individual) in early November
• Final staff selections in mid November

If you have any questions about the application process, please call the CalSO office at 510/642-4970.

More questions?
How do you get more information?
In September there will be a table in Upper Sproul Plaza where you can talk with a former CalSO counselor and get the inside scoop. You can also attend an information session (dates and locations to be advertised on this site in September). If you want, you can call us at 510/642-4970, weekdays and speak with a CalSO staff person or contact us by email: askcalso@berkeley.edu.

If you're chosen to be a counselor, is it possible to work somewhere else or to attend summer school?
You won't have time. During June and most of July you'll have a weekly counselor commitment of four or five full days (and some nights!) of work, and these work days change each week.

Contact us
Cal Student Orientation (CalSO) Program
(Part of New Student Services [NSS] and the Office of Student Development)
Office: 2610 Channing Way, Third Floor, University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
Phone: 510/642-4970
FAX: 510/643-4395
URL: http://nss.berkeley.edu
Email: askcalso@berkeley.edu