{"id":1255,"date":"2017-11-29T13:45:42","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T18:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/?p=1255"},"modified":"2025-09-28T11:21:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T15:21:44","slug":"a-day-in-the-life-of-a-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/2017\/11\/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-soul\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day in the Life of a SOUL"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Think back to your Miami orientation. Whether it was years ago or just this past summer, you surely remember the people in red polos who helped you get acclimated on campus.\u00a0<span class=\"veryhardreadability\">SOULs (or <strong>S<\/strong>tudent <strong>O<\/strong>rientation <strong>U<\/strong>ndergraduate <strong>L<\/strong>eaders) help new Miami students and families prepare for their Miami experience and learn about campus resources<\/span>.\u00a0And guess what &#8211; you too can be a SOUL! \u00a0It&#8217;s a paid position that includes a residence hall room and meal plan during May and summer orientation. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/miamioh.edu\/student-life\/orientation-and-transition\/leadership-and-employment\/soul\/index.html\">application<\/a> is due by 8am on January 8, 2018. To give you a better idea of what the job entails, we outlined a typical day in the life of a SOUL.<\/p>\n<h2>Icebreakers, icebreakers, icebreakers<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1261 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630.jpg\" alt=\"People playing rocks, papers, scissors\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630.jpg 3264w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-678x509.jpg 678w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-326x245.jpg 326w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0630-80x60.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3264px) 100vw, 3264px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A major part of orientation is meeting new people and making connections, and icebreakers are a perfect way to do that! What&#8217;s more fun than playing games with new friends?<\/p>\n<h2>Connecting with first-year students<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1260 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1.jpeg\" alt=\"People posing together\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1.jpeg 4032w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-678x509.jpeg 678w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-326x245.jpeg 326w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/Orientation_Session_1-80x60.jpeg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Being a SOUL is all about building relationships with incoming Miami students. SOULs get so many opportunities to make some real connections with first-year students!<\/p>\n<h2>Talking to families<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/fam.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1262 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/fam.jpg\" alt=\"Parents entering doors\" width=\"725\" height=\"484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/fam.jpg 725w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/fam-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/fam-600x401.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Many students bring family members with them to orientation. And they bring loads of questions and an interesting perspective. And it&#8217;s rewarding to ease the concerns of nervous family members!<\/p>\n<h2>Facilitating small groups<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1263 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group.jpg\" alt=\"Student sitting on the grass to chat\" width=\"680\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group.jpg 680w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/small-group-678x454.jpg 678w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is a time where SOULs can really connect with their students. During small groups, SOULS lead a variety of activities from fun and energetic icebreakers to serious conversations about things like diversity and belonging.<\/p>\n<h2>Showing off your dance moves at the student social<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1259 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl.jpg\" alt=\"A person dancing surrounded by a circle of students\" width=\"3872\" height=\"2581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl.jpg 3872w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/adl-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3872px) 100vw, 3872px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of the most fun parts of orientation is the student social! There are outdoor games, free snacks, and a dance floor with music from DJ Steve! It&#8217;s a great way for SOULs to meet first-years that aren&#8217;t in their small group and just have some fun after a long day.<\/p>\n<h2>Giving an Oscar-worthy performance during vignettes<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1258 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817.jpg\" alt=\"Students performing on stage\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-678x509.jpg 678w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-326x245.jpg 326w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_3817-80x60.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Part of SOUL training is coming up with vignettes, or short skits, about different aspects of the transition to college. SOULs write, direct, and act in their own vignettes and perform them for each orientation session. And if you&#8217;re not a theatre major, don&#8217;t worry! Anyone can perform in a vignette!<\/p>\n<h2>Gaining valuable life and work skills<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1264 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704.jpg\" alt=\"People talking together\" width=\"4032\" height=\"3024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-678x509.jpg 678w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-326x245.jpg 326w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/IMG_0924-e1511815057704-80x60.jpg 80w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 4032px) 100vw, 4032px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Being a SOUL is a great job for anyone who really wants to put themselves out there. From public speaking to small group facilitation to team building, being a SOUL will teach you many marketable skills to put on your resume and make you a more well-rounded person.<\/p>\n<h2>Working, laughing, and having fun with 23 incredible people<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1265 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs.jpg\" alt=\"A group making funny poses together\" width=\"3872\" height=\"2581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs.jpg 3872w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2017\/11\/goobs-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 3872px) 100vw, 3872px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The experience of being a SOUL is unlike any other. With 24 SOULs living together in a residence hall and working together every day for two months, you&#8217;re bound to become close. Any former SOUL will tell you that they met some of their best friends through working together during orientation. As much fun as the job itself is, it is the people that make the experience.<\/p>\n<p>These are just some of the things that make being a SOUL such an incredible job. Make sure to apply for an unforgettable summer!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Think back to your Miami orientation. Whether it was years ago or just this past summer, you surely remember the people in red polos who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2303,"featured_media":1266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_s2mail":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[53,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-at-miami","category-professional-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1255","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2303"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1255"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1255\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4895,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1255\/revisions\/4895"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1255"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1255"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1255"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}