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An interview with Orientation Leader Yonnie Collins

Marilyn Saha
Connector Staff

Q: Tell me about yourself.

A: I am a junior majoring in exercise physiology with a minor in psychology. I am in the Honors College and am currently working on becoming inducted into ODK.

Q: What’s ODK?

A: ODK is Omicron Delta Kappa and it’s a National Honor Society.

Q: How long have you been an Orientation Leader?

A: The summer of 2016 was my first summer as an Orientation Leader.

Q: How did you get introduced to it?

A; One of my friends, who is now my boss, was an Orientation Leader the year before and coerced me to sign up.

Q: What’s the best part about being an OL?

A: The best part is meeting new faces and calming anxious students who have a million questions. Also, the dining hall seems to make gourmet meals just for us so that’s a plus.

Q: What’s the worst part about being an OL?

A: The worst part is dealing with students that act like they don’t know you have feelings too. Sometimes, the ones who are trying to prove that they’re “grown” are the most immature and insensitive students of the group. I bet they don’t mean to come off as such, but it happens.

Q: Do freshmen throughout the year ever come up to you because they remember you?

A: Yes. The first week back is kind of freaky because I could point out a good portion of the freshmen and transfers just by face recognition. And of course, some would approach me with questions and it’d feel like orientation part two. But mostly we just wave at each other and smile.

Q: Do you do anything else besides being an OL?

A: For work? Yes, I am a Let’s Get Ready Coach at UMass Lowell and I’m a physical therapy aide at Therafit Inc.

Q: What do you do for LGR and as a physical therapy aid?

A: I am a LGR Success Coach which means that I am a resource for lowerclassmen. As a physical therapy aide, I assist physical therapy patients with their exercises.

Q: How does one apply to be an OL?

A: There’s a form that comes out at the end of the fall semester and you fill that out. Then you attend a training session and go to an interview.

Q: Describe the training process.

A: It’s actually really fun and also a lot to take in if I’m being completely honest. Of course, it’s doable, but you literally go from being average UML Joe to becoming a spokesperson for the school in two weeks. However, at the same time, you’re meeting so many new people, learning how to be a leader, and playing various icebreakers almost every day. It’s a fun experience that I’d encourage anyone who likes people to apply for.

Q: What type of people would be best suited as an OL?

A: Anyone who likes people. There isn’t a cookie cutter method of being an OL. A diverse staff is what makes the team stronger. I think if you can control your tongue and resolve conflicts of any magnitude even if it means calmly getting someone else to intervene, you can be an OL. Besides this, any and everyone should apply.

Q: Any last remarks?

A: Thank you so much for choosing it. I really appreciate you. Also, you should apply for this summer. It’s free room and board.

 

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