Daniela Munoz, Orientation Leader
When you’re a Drexel student in the co-op program, the idea of giving up the only summer break you’ll have during your entire college career can be shocking.
For Daniela Munoz, a sophomore business major from Burlington Township, NJ, the sacrifice was worth it because she had the opportunity to serve as an Orientation Leader (OL) this past summer.
OLs are a group of rising sophomore students that guide all freshmen orientation sessions. They take on the role of campus tour guides and serve as the go-to people for any questions about Drexel life. After hearing her friends talk highly about the position, Daniela knew becoming an OL would allow her to help incoming freshmen get acclimated to their new settings and make their lives easier. “[The] transition into college from high school isn’t always easy for everyone and there’s nothing better than feeling comfortable and welcome when first stepping foot onto where you will be living for the next 4 or 5 years,” Daniela said.
This strong desire to help new students allowed Daniela to make it through what she described as a “long and nerve racking” interview process. Of course, nothing worth doing in life is easy. After becoming an OL, Daniela worked from about 7 am to 12 am during the first day of every orientation session.
The benefits from being involved in this organization outweighed any exhaustion or nervousness Daniela felt. “I can’t think of one specific memory that I would say was the best one, but what I will always remember was how close I got to all the staff and all the memories we made by living and working together,” she said. Being an OL also helped her discover what she likes and dislikes in her work settings and where her skills can best be put to use.
So now that the summer is over, Daniela is using her new skills while working for Comcast and remaining involved in LeBow BRIDGE, Latinos for a United Campus, the Drexel Student Ambassador program, and the interest group for Chi Upsilon Sigma, a Latin sorority. When she graduates, Daniela plans to work full time for at least a year before going to get her masters’ degree.
For anyone interested in becoming an OL, Daniela advises being yourself during interviews and “[making] sure that it’s something you see yourself doing, because it’s not always for everyone.”
As some general tips for new and incoming Drexel students, Daniela says, “If [she has] learned anything [her] first year at Drexel, it is to take advantage of the opportunities that come our way and be ready for the unexpected. Sometimes it’s a scary thought, but sometimes it’s worth the risk because you never know where it may take you and what doors it may open.”
We look forward to seeing what doors Daniela Munoz will unlock next!