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September 2, 2008
Remember seeing the energetic students bouncing around campus in Dr. Seuss-like, purple-striped shirts for the first time? Orientation Peer Advisers are part of any student’s first experiences at James Madison, but before becoming set on being one, you’ll want to know the process isn’t easy.
When Laura Burns decided to apply to be an OPA for this past summer, she felt that she’d have no problems, considering her credentials. Burns, a junior finance major, is an “A-B” student and a member of the executive board for Student Ambassadors. She also has orientation experience as a First year Orientation Guide, or FROG, last year. However, after the written application and group interview, this seemingly model JMU student was told she would not become an OPA.
Before the interviews, the Student Orientation Coordinators held mandatory information sessions that told applicants about the interview process and dates for training and other summer activities. The SOCs also alerted applicants to an OPA Web site that again described the selection process, and told applicants what the orientation office looks for.
But when she found out she wasn’t chosen, she said that not only was she surprised, but so were her parents and friends.
Could her extracurricular activities have had any effect on the decision?
Current junior and OPA, Kyle Smith, doesn’t think so, citing his interaction in social fraternities and several other organizations like SafeRides and JMU Ski Club. According to Smith, the ability to be flexible and versatile, having high energy and having good leadership skills are the qualities needed to be an OPA. He doesn’t believe that involvement in sports or other organizations on campus negatively impacted applicants; however, he did mention they have to be careful.
“One major thing that sort of knocks out a lot potential applicants are people who are in [OPA] to recruit for their own organizations,” Smith said. “You have to be very non-partial when talking to the freshmen.”
Junior Rachel Lafferty, one of three SOCs, was one of the people doing OPA interviews. Lafferty said you can tell if an individual will be inclined to recruit for another one of their organizations.
But, there’s more to being an OPA than involvement in organizations and grade requirements. According to Daniel Murphy, the First Year Experience administrator, the OPAs must represent all types of JMU students. So an individual’s organizations, including athletics, do not help or hurt them in the application process.
“What usually happens with student athletes is that their spring semester schedule or their summer schedule won’t allow them to fulfill the obligations for the job,” he said.
OPAs must be available throughout the spring semester to help train FROGs and prepare for the upcoming summer springboard and freshman arrival.
Lafferty emphasized that an individual’s ability to work with a team and be flexible was key during an interview.
“It’s a very team-oriented position because you’re working with 27 other people,” she said.
Murphy said out of the 75 students who applied for OPA positions this year, 28 were hired. He advises applicants to be original and show the orientation office what makes them different.
“But it has to be you,” he said. “It has to be genuine because we can see through that in an interview.”
He also tells students to be consistent between their paper application and their interviews.
“A lot of times people will contradict themselves between the group interview and the paper screening or the individual interview and the group interview,” Murphy said. “And we’re keeping track of things at every phase.”
Although organization involvement may not play a big factor in OPA selection, there are many qualities that do factor into an individual’s application. Students who are not selected have the option to meet with Murphy and find out how they can improve, and individuals can apply again the following year.
“I really care about the campus and I really thought I’d get it, but the group they ended up with was phenomenal,” Burns said. “I was a FROG this year again, and it was the best week of my life, hands down.”
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