Photos: CalSO 2009

At the end of every fall we hire a diverse group of undergraduates to represent the incredibly varied entering class. We're looking for passionate, hard-working, open-minded, team-playing leaders. This job is NOT for the faint of heart. During training you will work long and hard hours. You will have fun, and you will be challenged. Once summer starts, you will wake up at 5:45am five days a week. You will make close friends, and you could even meet your future life partner! You will also learn invaluable skills such as public speaking, mingling, and time management. This is the 2009 team after their last summer program, and they survived! Photo by Marissa Toffoli.

You will participate in some pretty neat CalSO training activities including the January Training Weekend where you'll learn more about the group and fantastic individuals you'll be working with during the summer. These two counselors-in-training are working on the "First Year Thinkback" exercise. Photo by Marissa Toffoli.

You will have fun, like these newbies learning an ice-breaker excercise called "Evolution." Photo by Marissa Toffoli.

You will mingle 'til you tingle during training field experiences at New Student Alumni Receptions throughout California and by staffing the CalSO tent during Cal Day (see above). Photo by Marissa Toffoli.

You will be providing an incredible service to new undergraduates and to the University. One way is by helping new students get their first classes on Tele-BEARS. Photo by Peg Skorpinski.

You will learn the merits of blue tape (it won't peel paint off classroom walls). You'll get some free stuff like a cool clipboard with your name, a CalSO T-shirt, maybe a sweatshirt and CalSO water bottle. Photo by Jenne Mowry.

You will learn how to play Ninja tag and to dance the Time Warp. Photo by Jenne Mowry.

You will overcome your fear of speaking in front of large groups. These three counselors answer questions from an audience of 200 parents after delivering their "FYEs" [First Year Experiences]. Photo by Ryan Nwankwo.

At CalSO it's all about the feedback--from your counselees, counselor peers, and the pro staff. What a great opportunity for self-improvement! These counselors are filling out a program evaluation before heading off to MPPM (the mandatory post program meeting). Okay, this photo is from 2006, but the concept's too good to let go. Photo by Peg Skorpinski.

During Fall Welcome CalSO counselors can work (and be paid for) several programs including Convocation, the Getting Your Bearings program, and Calapalooza. Here 2009 counselors help set up maps for Calapalooza. Photo by Jenne Mowry.