Just a few weeks into her first semester at ASU, Jocelyne Partida noticed a flier advertising for a part-time campus job. The ad looking to hire Gold Guides depicted a group of friendly looking students, and “the description sounded a lot more interesting than my previous jobs, which was a big win,” she recalled.
That was the fall of 2018, when the first-generation college student was simply looking for a way to get more involved on campus and to make some new friends. And to get paid doing that seemed like a great idea.
As it turns out, it was.
Jocelyne applied for the job and started working as an ASU Gold Guide for New Student Programs (NSP), the office that helps coordinate all of the university’s orientation and welcome programs for incoming students and their families. Now in her senior year, she continues to work in the NSP office, earning two promotions along the way to provide her with valuable professional employment experience.
Jocelyne embraced the role of a Gold Guide, being a friendly face to welcome new students and families.
“The core of our role as a Gold Guide is to provide support to make their transition easier and empower them to have the best experience here at ASU,” Jocelyne said. “It’s important that we greet them in a warm and welcoming way. This can look like talking to parents and addressing their concerns about how we adjusted, what we struggled with, what we ate, and what life looked like for us as a new student.
“Additionally, we talk to students on things like where to get textbooks, what are our favorite classes, what we learned in our years here, and give them tips and tricks about self-care, studying, classes, etc.”
In her sophomore year, Jocelyne was selected to join New Student Programs’ Leadership Team — a position better known in the office as an LT. These students work closely with professional staff to coordinate ASU programs such as the New Student Orientation Experience, Fall Welcome, International Arrival and Welcome, Family Weekend and other university events.
Jocelyne said LTs also mentor current gold guides and help with event logistics, staffing and just “thinking on our feet as events suddenly change the day of.”
Recently, Jocelyne’s journey working in the New Student Programs office took another twist. The Sun Devil senior was promoted to a full-time position, a role she’ll take on while completing her last semester as a sociology major with a minor in family and human development.
Jocelyne is proud of her current 3.94 GPA in the Barrett Honors College, achieved while juggling classes, employment, internships, going to the gym and social time. But her remarkable story of academic and employment success at ASU nearly didn’t happen. The native of Mexico, who came to the U.S. when she was 1, struggled with math and science in high school and didn’t plan to go to college.
“My junior year I had an incredible college counselor who was constantly advocating for me and giving me valuable advice and life lessons. I was adamant about not wanting to go to college but she was adamant about me going, so I went with it.”
The counselor guided Jocelyne through the application process, filling out the FAFSA, applying for scholarships and more.
During an ASU campus visit, “I got this overwhelming feeling of excitement and feeling at home. After my visit, I received an email telling me I qualified for the Obama Scholarship, which would be giving me a full scholarship to attend ASU. It felt like a sign from the universe,” she said.
Much like with the sign advertising for Gold Guides, Jocelyne’s decision has turned out for the best. She’s gone on to excel as a Barrett Honors student, while working for New Student Programs has provided her with many more benefits than just a paycheck.
“Working as a Gold Guide provides you with lots of opportunities to grow as an individual, through things like public speaking, technical skills, leadership opportunities and people skills,” she said. “And this position has given me the opportunity to make lifelong friends. What better thing than to get paid to work with your friends.”
It’s been an eventful three-plus years at ASU for Jocelyne, especially considering her two employment promotions with New Student Programs. And on the personal side, she completed another journey in December when she officially became a U.S. citizen.
Reflecting back on working as a Gold Guide and LT, Jocelyne said the experience has been amazing.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a job that I am excited to go to everyday, and I think that speaks volumes about this position. My supervisors and coworkers have created a beautiful environment where everyone feels supported, listened to and prepared.
My supervisors have been my biggest supporters throughout college — they are always willing to chat about life, give me advice, and most importantly to empower me to put school first.”
To apply for a position as a Gold Guide, ASU undergraduate students can visit Student Employment Job Search, click “Search On-Campus Jobs” and search using key words “Gold Guides.” Positions are posted several times throughout the year. Or students can contact the New Student Programs office by email at orientation@asu.edu or by phone at 480-965-2880.
