The goal of orientation is to help new employees get off to a good start by providing learning experiences to help you become familiar with your job, resources, and the organization. Orientation is both a short-term and a long-term process. It can take up to a year before you are fully aware of every aspect of your job.

NDSU Extension orientation consists of several parts. The topics listed to the left reflect key areas for success. A New Employee Checklist will help you, your supervisor and others make sure important information is not missed.

On-campus Visit. You are invited to the NDSU campus to attend New Staff Orientation within your first six months of employment. Orientation will focus on program planning, developing a county/state action plan, conducting effective evaluations, using citizen input or advisory councils to meet the needs of your clients, and participating in facilitator training. Ask your supervisor about the date of the next session and be sure to get it on your calendar.

Mentoring. Your supervisor will introduce you to a staff person to serve as your mentor. As you work with your mentor, they will visit you at your office and you are encouraged to go visit their office. Each time you meet, be prepared with a list of questions. Your mentor is a great resource especially for helping locating references and finding resource people.

Checklist

Let us make sure you have some of the basic Extension supplies.

• Nametag
  Yes     No, contact Kris Holt, kris.holt@ndsu.edu
• Desk Plate
  Yes     No, contact Kris Holt, kris.holt@ndsu.edu
• Business Cards
  Yes     No, talk with your supervisor's support staff
• Enclosures (small pages with the Extension logo, your office address and your signature to include with materials you mail.)
  Yes     No, talk with your support staff