New Employee Ambassador Program

The New Employee Ambassador Program is an informal program designed to help ease the transition for new employees into the St. Thomas campus community. It also assists employees in becoming more integrated into the day-to-day activities of their units and the St. Thomas culture. An ambassador typically is a co-worker of the new employee who understands the intricacies of the unit. At the time of employment, the hiring unit will identify an employee within the unit to serve as the unit ambassador.

Making connections beyond new employee orientation…

Most new employees come to St. Thomas full of expectation and enthusiasm. This fresh eagerness can either be nurtured or defeated depending on the first few days and weeks at the University.  Employees are more apt to leave an organization if they do not feel an immediate connection.  The resulting turnover is costly in many ways, including the morale of existing staff.

After the initial introductions within the department, many new employees are left to “learn the ropes” on their own.  Oftentimes, support staff are expected to be up-to-speed immediately and have only their supervisor to train them or answer questions.  We can all think back to our first days and weeks and remember how many questions we had – not all of which can be answered by your boss.

Supervisors are encouraged to pair their new employees with a more seasoned employee.  That ambassador understands what it’s like to be a new employee and the challenges that these individuals face during the first few weeks or employment.

Why a New Employee Ambassador Program?

An ambassador presents for the new employee many opportunities. He or she

• gives the new employee a personal connection to someone in the University who can help advise him or her;  
• provides a friendly contact to ask questions that oftentimes arise during the first few weeks of employment and helps the new employee get started and feel comfortable in his/her new job;
• meets the new  employee for lunch the first day;
• serves as a contact and follow-up with the new employee for the first one to three months to help him or her become acclimated; 
• helps lessen the initial confusion and uncertainty faced by most new employees;
• shows the new employees around campus and introduces him or her to other employees.  [This is particularly important for those employees who work in an isolated area or in departments where they are the sole support.]

The expectations of being a new employee ambassador are not to be confused with mentorship.  An ambassador typically is an employee within the same unit of the new employee and volunteers to serve in this capacity. Many times, if new employees do not know who to contact, their questions remain unanswered, which, in turn, could affect their level of productivity, lengthen their learning curve, as well as their satisfaction.

Role of an Ambassador

The first few weeks of employment is especially challenging for new employees. An ambassador shows the new employee around and introduces him or her to others. New employees oftentimes need someone to show them how to purchase supplies, have lunch with them the first few days and then periodically throughout the first two months, and to answer questions without feeling intimidated. An ambassador offers encouragement, shows support for the University and its mission, and serves as a positive role model.

New employees are not the only beneficiaries of the New Ambassador Program. Ambassadors are as well. They gain a broader perspective and experience from serving in this capacity. The supervisors of both employees also can play a meaningful role in this process. Recognizing the employee who serves as an ambassador is one way to motivate employees and encourage others to play such a role. Supervisors should consider paying for the lunch of both employees and allowing them extra time to meet occasionally.