<p>I'm back!</p>
<p>Anyways, I'm wondering if any of the fellow CC'ers here was once a CalSO counselor. If so, please share your experience, whether you had any regrets of participating in it, or what you got out of it.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Yayyy unlimitedx is back! :D</p>
<p>eiffelguy87 was, but he hasn't been on here at all recently.</p>
<p>Yes, I was a counselor (Styrkur, you were my counselee for the FPF program, if I remember correctly :)</p>
<p>I haven't been on CC because I've been busy with organizations, research, applications for internships, meetings, and of course my academic work. </p>
<p>I had a fantastic experience. I learned about the many resources offered here at the University. My experience as a counselor deepened my belief that the undergraduate experience here at Berkeley can be personal and can be unique if students make the effort to seekt these resources. </p>
<p>In terms of the work, we get up at 5:45 AM on programs day and work until 10/11 PM depending on what you're assigned. As a counselor, you work both freshmen, parent, and transfer programs (not all at once of course). There were 18 programs total this year, 3 optional programs included. You do earn a stipend and room and board. We provide peer academic advising, facilating discussions, and centralize the information and bring them to students and their parents/guests. </p>
<p>The break down of CalSO is this:</p>
<p>-January Retreat
-Spring Training (class on W)
-2 weeks of "boot camp" from 7am-10pm
-6 weeks of work</p>
<p>I made so many friends, met a fantastic group of first year students (including freshmen, transfers, and re-entry students) and their parents. </p>
<p>The experience is hard to capture in a post, so feel free to private message me and we can talk there. Of you can find me on the CC Facebook group also.</p>
<p>I'm applying to be a returner counselor as well, and will be at the recruitment events.</p>
<p>More info below.</p>
<p>(P.S. A friend told me about this post so I came to visit.)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Every year, thousands of new students start their educational experience at the University of California, Berkeley, and the first person they get to know is their CalSO counselor. For 40 years, CalSO has been welcoming and orienting new golden bears to the Berkeley campus and community and CalSO counselors have been developing unparalleled leadership, communication, and professional skills while making lifelong friendships. Now is your opportunity to join this outstanding tradition.</p>
<p>Applications for the summer 2007 CalSO staff are now available online at: <a href="http://nss.berkeley.edu/CR/cr.html%5B/url%5D">http://nss.berkeley.edu/CR/cr.html</a></p>
<p>The website outlines all the aspects of being a CalSO counselor, including training and leadership development, the work during the summer, the compensation package, and personal experiences from former CalSO counselors.</p>
<p>Have questions about the CalSO counselor experience? Join us for one of our information sessions, Monday, September 25 at 5pm and Thursday, September 28 at 5pm. Both will take place in the Recreation Room at Unit 1, 2650 Durant Avenue. Or drop by our information booth on Upper Sproul Plaza the week of September 25.</p>
<p>Go Bears!
-the CalSO Staff
[/quote]
</p>
<p>How strange...unlimitedx, greatestyen, eudean, and effielguy all came back and posted in the same week after a long hiatus.</p>
<p>Haha, yeah right.</p>
<p>It's nice to see the regulars again</p>
<p>Just a reminder that applications for CalSO are due this Monday at 12 PM (noon) on the Third Floor of RSSP, located on 2610 Channing Way (the building 'behind' Crossroads).</p>
<p>Applications can be downloaded here: <a href="http://nss.berkeley.edu/CR/cr.html%5B/url%5D">http://nss.berkeley.edu/CR/cr.html</a></p>
<p>I made it to the next round :)</p>
<p>eiffelguy87, if you could provide any tips on how to succeed during the group interview, that would be great!</p>
<p>i was also a calso counselor, and i would say that one of the biggest things you can do in your group interview is just to be yourself. actively participate in whatever activities they have for you, and show that you are a unique person that can bring a different perspective to calso. they really want to diversify the types of counselors that they have.</p>
<p>also, what they're looking for in these interviews is how you work with others...you don't have to worry all that much about actual knowledge of anything yet. they know that you can learn that all later. you don't have to be the loudest one or the one who speaks the most (i know i certainly wasn't), but you have to show that there's something in you that can really contribute.</p>
<p>i don't really know what else i can say, but i hope this helps and good luck!</p>
<p>Interview: Complete!
Results will be posted Friday.</p>
<p>sorry for not responding...I check back here about once every month or so. Good luck!</p>
<p>I made it to the individual interview :)</p>
<p>Additional tips are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Congratulations! For the individual interview, prepare for the usual questions that are asked: what are your strengths? what are your weaknesses? etc.</p>
<p>I Got The Job!</p>
<p>Congratulations!</p>
<p>Any tips/suggestions from former counselors about how to make the best of the program?</p>
<p>well, the answer to that question is exactly what training is for. i'm also going to be a returning counselor this next summer, so we'll be spending a lot of time talking about making the best of CalSO.</p>
<p>Aww.. I didn't get in. :( Oh well, someone else did. Balances out! ^<em>^ Congratulations, unlimitedx! Hope you have loads of fun with the incoming students, and remember that you are their beacon and guiding light! ^</em>^</p>
<p>I have <em>got</em> to get this job next year! ;) I haven't exactly been successful with finding a job recently. :(</p>
<p>Aw don't sweat it if you are a freshman. You will definitely have a much greater chance next year after you've experienced Berkeley.</p>
<p>On a side note, do returning counselors do exactly the same thing as before or do you get to do something new/in addition?</p>