Application Information

The application for the 2026-2027 internship is open and online applications are due on January 30, 2026. It is suggested that you review the information packet before you complete the the application. If you are sending someone your reference form, please copy and paste this link to them https://charleston.edu/orientation/files/internreference.pdf

If you have any questions, please email auwaerters@cofc.edu. 

Application

Interview Timeline
All applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by February 4 regarding the interview time.   The interview process will be a two-part process. 

Part 1: First interview
Individual interviews will be conducted in person beginning February 6 – 13. 

Students selected for interviews will be contacted by the Office of New Student Programs to arrange an interview time.

Part 2: Second Interview
Following individual interviews, select individuals will be contacted to participate in a group interview from February 18-February 25.   

Notification
All students who are interviewed will be notified of their status by February 28.   

Employment Dates
Interns must participate in training before Orientation, work during ALL Orientation sessions, Move In weekend and Weeks of Welcome activities as well as attending additional meetings as necessary.

(If you have a class conflict with the Spring training dates [which will be available at the interview], you will be excused from those meetings and will plan a make-up time with the Director of Orientation) 

Work Dates
Interns must participate in training before Orientation, work during ALL Orientation sessions, Move In weekend and Weeks of Welcome activities as well as attending additional meetings as necessary.

(If you have a class conflict with the Spring training dates (which will be available at the interview), you will be excused from those meetings and will plan a make-up time with the Director of Orientation) 

Training Dates:

Spring Training Meetings – Dates and Times TBA

Summer Training - Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 12 (weekdays – including some evenings)

Summer 2026 Orientation Dates

Week of June 15, June 22, July 6, July 13, July 20 and August 10

Summer professional development and orientation preparation work: specific dates provided during interview

Move in Weekend and Weeks of Welcome - August 15-21 (approx. 8 hours)

First Four Week Emails and Campus Event (August 17 – Sept 11)

Final Summer Debrief – small group meetings in September (Times to be announced in Sept)

January 2027 Training Meeting and Orientation:   January 7 and January 8 (not published)

Application Information  Please submit your application online by January 30, 2026, at 5pm

Application -  The application can be found online https://forms.gle/QMzxC72efHUXjQPaA

You can change your answers after you have submitted the form until the deadline.  The answers are important so you may want to type them about ahead of time so you can copy and paste them into the online application.  Please make sure to answer all the questions.   

Application Questions            

  1.  Why do you want to be an orientation intern?
  2. What excites you the most about becoming an orientation intern? What are some things that make you nervous about being an intern?
  3. Briefly discuss your transition to becoming a student at CofC. How did you handle this transition?
  4. What are three things that make you happy?
  5. What is one thing you would like to change about CofC? 
  6. Describe a time you worked with someone who is different than you. (work, roommates, student group, class or group activity from college or high school is fine)
  7. How would you describe CofC to someone who is visiting for the first time? 
  8. What do you hope to gain from this position? 
  9. What animal best describes you and why?
  10. Email your resume to orientation@charleston.edu. If you don't have a resume, in the box on the application, briefly list previous experiences (with dates you were involved) such as internships, work-study, part-time, summer jobs, volunteer positions, participation in organizations and/or athletics, etc.  

References
Please provide one reference using the reference form on this website or a letter covering the topics on the reference form. The form can be found on the orientation website under the orientation internship section on the internship application page. The reference can be a faculty or staff at the College of Charleston, a former high school teacher, current/previous employer or someone who can speak to the skills that are required for this internship. 

The reference can be submitted by mail, email (orientation@charleston.edu), campus mail or dropped off to the office in the Lightsey Center Annex.  If the applicant would like to turn the reference into the Office of New Student Program, the forms should be in a sealed envelope. 

Questions or Concerns?
Inquiries about the internship can be directed to Stephanie Auwaerter, Director of Orientation, at auwaerters@cofc.edu or call 843.953.2017.