Apply for 1 of 30 Orientation Internship positions! Applications will open January 2026.
Commitment and Compensation
- Spring (March 30 to June 12)
- 8-10 hours/week
- $16.90/hour
- Summer (June 15 to August 14)
- 40 hours/week
- $17.15/hour
- Summer meal plan provided during program dates
- $750 Summer housing support stipend
- Qualify for summer housing in University-owned apartments (Housing is not covered as a part of the job; interns are responsible for their campus housing contract and payment)
- Cannot take Summer Session A, C, D, or E courses as they overlap with full-time program dates. Must receive permission from Orientation Director to take Session B or F courses.
Job Description
Orientation Programs Internship gives you the chance to positively impact incoming UC Santa Barbara students and their families as they join the UCSB community.
As an Orientation Intern, you will play a vital role in helping new students transition to UCSB, creating an unforgettable first impression of campus life. You will lead exciting group activities, provide key information about UCSB's academics and campus resources, and be a supportive presence for new students and their families. You will be a positive role model an go-to resource for questions, helping students feel welcome and confident as they begin their UCSB journey.
Students from all academic disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are looking to hire a diverse group of students from all class levels with a wide range of experiences! Our only requirements are:
- Must be a current UCSB student (Seniors graduating in June 2026 are welcome to apply, but must commit to working through August 2026).
- Must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
- Must have work authorization
The Orientation Programs Internship will begin in Spring quarter with weekly Monday and Wednesday afternoon (3:30-5:00pm) and Friday afternoon (3:00-4:00pm or 4:00-5:00pm) training sessions averaging 8-10 hours per week. The training program prepares you to perform summer duties of providing academic advising, assisting with registration, giving tours, serving as panelists, facilitating workshops, etc. It also aims to develop your skills through team building exercises, social awareness discussions, goal setting, time management, public speaking, leadership, and professional work behavior.
The full-time work schedule begins right after graduation weekend (June 15) with a week of intensive final training and preparation. Orientation sessions run from the end of June to mid-August, during which time interns work 35-40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Work schedules vary per session, can range between 6-12 hours (with adequate breaks), may start as early as 7:00am and end as late as 11:00pm.
Take the next step in your UCSB journey! If you are passionate about helping others and ready for an immersive leadership experience, we want to hear from you. Help us to create an extraordinary welcome for the newest members of the Gaucho community!
Applications open January 2026!
"This experience was one of the best ones of my life! It opened up opportunities for me as far as possible career interests. I am so much more confident too!"
"I believe I grew professionally because I feel I can interact with people better and my public speaking skills have also improved. I feel like this job has made me become more mature, both personally and professionally."
"I definitely gained a lot of self-confidence in myself, and in all aspects of my life. My public speaking skills increased enormously. I feel I gained a lot of very valuable job skills that I could apply to all kinds of careers in the future."
"I really improved my people skills and through that my confidence. Most of it came from the incredibly supportive environment and feeling comfortable to step out and push myself."
“I would say that my greatest area of growth was the amount of professionalism that I acquired. I also feel as if I’ve made amazing connections with amazing people. I gained the ability to be a part of a team and depend on others when I had previously been much more independent.”
“I feel much more prepared to go out into the world and be able to work well with people and act professionally.”
"I met my first group of friends at UCSB through Orientation, and we've kept in touch since then! I feel much more confident in my people skills and I am happy to represent UCSB to everyone I meet."
Selection Process
Orientation Interns are selected through the following application and interview process:
- Application Review: Your submitted online application is thoroughly reviewed by the selection committee to ensure you meet all requirements and demonstrate a strong potential for the role.
- Group Interview: Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a group interview designed to assess your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in a collaborative environment.
- Individual Interview: Candidates that advance from the group interview will have an individual interview with selection committee members to discuss your specific experiences, qualifications, and commitment to the position.
- Final Staff Selection: All candidates who went through the interview process will be notified by Friday, February 27.