Creating connections as an orientation counselor

For sophomore elementary and special education major Jenni Eason, becoming an orientation counselor was about more than welcoming new Niners to UNC Charlotte. 

What began as a way to step outside her comfort zone has become a defining part of her college experience, helping her build confidence, form lasting friendships and find a stronger sense of community on campus.

What began as a way to step outside her comfort zone has become a defining part of her college experience, helping her build confidence, form lasting friendships and find a stronger sense of community on campus.

What inspired you to become an orientation counselor?

I was inspired to become an orientation counselor after attending orientation myself. I didn’t really want to be there at first, but I saw how much fun my orientation counselor and her coworkers were having. They were always joking around with each other and genuinely seemed happy to be there. I remember thinking that even though it was clearly an intense job, it must also be a rewarding one because everyone seemed to love what they were doing. It looked like a great work environment, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.

What does being an orientation counselor mean to you? 

Being an orientation counselor, and orientation as a whole, is all about connection and community. As an orientation counselor, you’re building your own community while connecting with people, resources and, most importantly, students across campus. You have the opportunity to interact with every new student who comes through orientation, whether it’s saying hello in the morning, leading them in your small group or helping them find their way when they get lost. Every student is an opportunity to make a connection, and being an orientation counselor is about making the most of those moments.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? 

My favorite part was finding lifelong best friends. When I first started the process, I was so nervous. I thought I wouldn’t really get to know anyone and would just keep to myself, but I ended up making some really great friends. If you had told me in January 2026, when I first became an orientation counselor, that these people would become some of my best friends, I wouldn’t have believed you. I never expected us to run in the same circles, but going through this experience together really bonded us. I’ve built a good relationship with every orientation counselor, and that’s something I’m really proud of because those connections are so valuable to me.

What skills have you gained from being an orientation counselor?

The biggest skill I gained was learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Pushing and challenging yourself can be difficult, but it was something I knew I wanted to work on. I was really nervous about speaking in front of large groups, but I knew I needed to push myself and do it anyway. Being an orientation counselor gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, even in small ways, whether that meant talking to a parent or speaking up in a group. Every experience pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me realize that I can do difficult things.

What is your favorite orientation memory? 

My favorite memory was the second day of orientation. We had just finished training, and everyone was still really nervous. Right after introducing ourselves to the students, we were all in the hallway chanting together. I remember standing in the middle, looking around at the other orientation counselors and seeing that everyone was nervous but excited at the same time. You could feel the energy in the room, and everyone was smiling and laughing. We were proud to be there and proud of the work we were doing. That energy is something I’ll never forget.

How has being an orientation counselor changed your own college experience? 

Being an orientation counselor has had the biggest impact on my college experience so far. My first semester was difficult. I liked Charlotte, but I was really homesick and had lost a lot of my self-confidence, which was something I never expected because I had always been confident in who I was. After becoming an orientation counselor and meeting so many new people, I gained a greater appreciation for where I was and what I was doing. The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone, helped me rebuild my confidence and introduced me to some of my best friends. It gave me what I had been looking for in my college experience and showed me that sometimes sticking things out can lead to something really meaningful.

When you think back on your time as an orientation counselor, what do you think you’ll remember most? 

I’ll remember all the silly, small moments I shared with the other orientation counselors, like going downstairs to get Starbucks, learning a new chant or making TikToks together. They’re the moments you might not immediately think of when you think about orientation, but they’re what brought us closer as a team. Those little experiences helped me build strong relationships with my coworkers and are some of the memories I’ll cherish most.

Are you interested in becoming an orientation counselor? The 2027 orientation counselor applications are open through Thursday, Oct. 1. Details on positions and timelines are on the orientation website.

Written by: Jenni Eason and Lily Warlick