Written by: Eneida Bermudez // Staff Writer
The opportunity to serve as a Panther camp facilitator or peer advisor is a unique experience. Applications for both the panther camp facilitator and orientation peer advisor 2016 teams have opened.
Peer advisors are expected to make orientation an inclusive and fun experience for students and parents, and welcome them to the University community. Peer advisors serve as resources for new students and their parents, assist University staff with planning and implementation of programs and more.
“Being the first mentor… the first person that someone looks up to coming to this institution was was one of the most rewarding things, in my opinion, from the experience,” said Manuel Gonzalez, a junior mechanical engineering major and a 2015 peer advisor.
Panther camp facilitators are responsible for leading small group sessions, exemplifying panther pride and presenting educational sessions for the Panther Camp program at the University. The mission of Panther Camp is to provide incoming FIU students with the opportunity to transition to the University in a fun and engaging way.
Kassandra Banko, a 2015 Panther camp facilitator, shares some words of advice for students who are interested in applying for either position.
“I would tell them to be themselves [and] be open minded. My advice would be to don’t try to be something you’re not,” said Banko, a junior majoring in communication arts. “They’re looking for people who are passionate and for people who care about the program. It’s really about the kind of person you are.”
Both peer advisors and Panther Camp facilitators have a lasting impact on incoming students and help shape their experience as a proud panther.
There are multiple stages in the process to become Panther Camp facilitator or peer advisor. All applicants are expected to attend a mandatory information session in addition to submitting their application online.
Students will then be notified through email to confirm whether or not they move on to the next stage of the process. This next stage is a large group activity based interview. After the posting of fall grades, finalists are notified whether or not they’ve been selected to move on to the interview stage taking place in January.
“In high school I was never really involved with any activities or anything, but [my facilitators] helped me understand that it’s really good to help people and to be more involved on campus. That’s how they really inspired me to apply,” said Jorge Hernandez, a freshman majoring in biology. Hernandez plans to apply for both peer advisor and Panther Camp facilitator positions.
Applications are due Friday, Nov. 20 by 5 p.m. and can be found at orientation.fiu.edu
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