Former orientation leaders reflect on their student leader experience as the application deadline for Orientation and New Student Programs’ positions nears.
Originally from right down the red line in Braintree, MA, Suffolk junior and Student Government Association treasurer, Frank Ezhan, was also a former orientation leader.
“Being an orientation leader, it shaped me so much because I got to experience so many other perspectives from people that I never got to talk to in the school,” said Ezhan. “It wasn’t just a bunch of other extroverted people like me, I’m very much extroverted, but I got to talk to other introverts and so many different groups of individuals from all parts of the school, not just the business school or student government people like I was myself. It allowed me to just interact and meet so many new people as well as the orientees I got to know and build connections with.”
Besides building his Suffolk network, Ezhan also credited his presentation skills to being an OL. As a finance major in the Sawyer Business School, presentations are a consistent part of the class curriculums and the multi-step interview process along with the constant public speaking leads to a new comfortability in presentation skills.
“Anyone can be an orientation leader, no matter if you’re extroverted or introverted, if you don’t like talking to people and just like staying to yourself. It doesn’t matter,” said Ezhan. “You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. I know I was, but not everyone has to be. So you just fit in your niche and you get to create connections with so many people at the end of the day.”
Besides being a former OL and his involvement in SGA, Ezhan is part of the Black Student Union and the African Student Association.
Karianna Tavarez, a senior global marketing major, has worn the OL hat as well as worked as a RAM supporter focusing on out of regions and SBS students.
Originally from Englewood, NJ, Tavarez is heavily involved on campus as the president of one of the Performing Arts Office’s dance groups, Passion Latina, as well as works as an office assistant in ONSP and represents the SBS as an ambassador.
“Being an OL made me more connected and informed with the Suffolk campus, its resources, and the people,” said Tavarez. “It also made me grow and become comfortable with public speaking, communicating with new people of any age and teamwork. It was a pivotal part of my Suffolk career.”
ONSP positions give access to a whole network of peers and incoming students, but also provide a community in its home base on the eighth floor of the Sawyer Building.
“The advantages of being involved in the Orientation Office are the people,” said Tavarez. “ONSP is one of the first places I felt seen on campus my freshman year because of how welcoming everyone is.”
Like Ezhan emphasized, these positions are not exclusive to naturally outgoing individuals and provide an opportunity for quieter candidates to break out of their shells.
“Some advice I’d give to a student deciding whether to apply is do it, don’t second guess it,” said Tavarez. “OL brought me to some of my closest friends and taught me how to attain and navigate necessary skills.”
RAM supporter and OL applications close Feb. 18.
“Understanding that you’re going to go out there and you’re going to get to interact and learn so many new things, I would say the best part is that you get to learn a lot,” said Ezhan. “You learn a lot about yourself and a lot about other individuals, which is always beneficial in the route of life.”
