Mythbusters

To be a Camp War Eagle Counselor or Orientation Leader, I have to be involved in EVERYTHING!

“In all honesty, I hadn’t truly taken all of the opportunities I had been offered to get involved in on campus until the year I tried out to be a Parent Counselor. It’s only a myth that CWE Counselors and OLs must be involved in everything. The First Year Experience office simply looks for whoever could do the best job and represent Auburn University well-regardless of his or her previous or current involvement in other organizations on campus.”

Anna Catherine Cox-Parent Counselor

“This is definitely not a true statement. I am in the Auburn University Marching Band which restricts me from being able to be involved in a lot of campus activities. The FYE staff does not look at what all you are involved in to consider you for a position. If you have a positive and friendly attitude, that is what will shine through at the end of the day.”

Josh Huggins-Camp Counselor

“To be a counselor you do not have to be involved in everything. In fact, if you are involved in everything, it could cause you to not be the best counselor you could be. Training takes up a good amount of time and you are going to need some extra time to work on it. However, being involved in other organizations looks good because it shows you have some sort of people skills and that you have the responsibility to handle another organization and school at the same time”

Jamie Hailey- SOS Orientation Leader

The same students are chosen every year, right?

“Actually, it’s quite the opposite .You are only allowed to be an Orientation Leader, Camp Counselor, or Parent Counselor one time each. You can try out again for a different area if you’d like, but the same students do not take the same positions every year. This means that everyone is always in the same boat when trying out for a position.”

Paul Cook-Camp Counselor.

“I had never been a part of an organization on campus before being an SOS orientation leader, and I felt like I had an equal opportunity to be chosen. The returning leaders and counselors are able to know the staff and are encouraged to interview, but I've never felt as though they have a better chance of being chosen.”

Kristen Gruhn- SOS Orientation Leader

“Each year, a new team is selected based on their own individual qualities and how they would work together as a team; which has nothing to do with the last year’s group. Some orientation leaders and CWE counselors don’t try out again and if they do, they are not guaranteed a spot. The returners don’t get any extra points or special treatment during the second round interview process. Each year there is room for new leaders!”

Heather Henley- SOS Orientation Leader

You have to know EVERYTHING about Auburn before you can apply.

“You can know very little about the University and still be just as successful as someone who has lived in Auburn their entire lives. The First Year Experience staff is incredibly supportive and is sure that you learn everything about Auburn that there is to know before sessions begin. As you become more experienced in the role, you begin to feel more comfortable with answering questions that are surely to be asked by students, parents, faculty, and even your friends and family.”

Courtney Moore-Parent Counselor

“Not true at all. Students will have weekly training sessions learning information about Auburn history, statistics, and other fun facts. You may think you know a good amount about Auburn University now, but there is a lot more out there just waiting to be learned; you just have to be willing and dedicated to becoming an expert at Auburn knowledge.”

Bradley Burroughs- SOS Orientation Leader

Being involved with SOS or Camp War Eagle won’t allow me to do other things, it’s too time consuming!

“Being involved in SOS or Camp War Eagle will definitely not hold you back from participating in other things on Auburn’s campus. During my time as an SOS Orientation Leader I held numerous billet positions in Auburn’s Naval ROTC, participated in intramural sports, stayed active in my social fraternity, and still held a 3.0+ grade point average. Saying SOS or CWE will hold you back is nonsense, it might just help you out!”

Austin Vorwald- SOS Orientation Leader

“While Camp War Eagle and SOS are both quite a commitment, it by no means prohibits you from succeeding in other organizations on Auburn’s Campus! Many, if not all counselors and OL’s this year were involved in other organizations on campus. The First Year Experience office is very understanding that you may have prior commitments or that you have a desire to be involved in other organizations. Being a Counselor or Orientation Leader is all about helping you grow as a person and taking your leadership qualities to other parts of Auburn.”

Sarah Moseley-Camp Counselor

To be a Camp War Eagle Counselor or Orientation Leader, I have to be peppy and full of energy!

“This is not true. Although some CWE Counselors and SOS OLs will be peppy and full of energy, those are not uniform traits that are needed across the board. The groups are very diverse in personalities and feature counselors and orientation leaders will all sorts of different ways of doing things. All personality styles are needed, so if you aren’t ‘peppy and full of energy,’ do not let it keep you from applying!”

Patrick Ratliff-SOS Orientation Leader

“Because the FYE office has to reach out to a variety of students and majors, they also have a variety of people involved in leading. While you should definitely be comfortable talking to people, you don't have to be the loudest person in the group. It is more important to be knowledgeable and able to reach out to the students you are asked to lead.”

Amy Smith- SOS Orientation Leader

Why did you like being a Camp Counselor/Parent Counselor/Orientation Leader, and what did you get out of the experience?

“Being a Camp War Eagle PC was probably one of the most rewarding experiences. I gained the greatest friends possible. I loved having a job that never felt like working, but rather as an opportunity to be with friends and serve Auburn. On a personal level, I became more confident in myself and my abilities, and am more comfortable trying new things and getting outside my comfort zone. Also, learning the Creed and facts about Auburn, made me appreciate the University more.”

Nicole Ramos-Parent Counselor

“Being a Camp Counselor was one of the best experiences of my life. Although it is hard and demanding work, the experience is so rewarding. I honestly don’t know what was the most rewarding part of the experience—I could go on and on about so many different things. One of my favorite parts has definitely been keeping up with my freshmen and seeing how they adjust and grow in the fall. It is so cool to see their growth and help them with anything and everything. Being a CC is something that is indescribable to someone who has not taken part in the program personally.”

Kate Summers-Camp Counselor

“I have enjoyed being an OL for many reasons. The one that sticks out the most to me is the opportunity to take on reasonability and leadership roles. Because I was an OL I had to opportunity to orientate students who were coming to Auburn and make them feel comfortable in their new home. This to me was the most rewarding to see and hear the students’ transfer experience was better because of the SOS program and because of my contribution. Finally the opportunity to give back to my wonderful school, Auburn. It has treated me wonderfully for the past 3 years, and that fact that I was able to serve my school was a very rewarding experience.”

Megan Miller- SOS Orientation Leader