Employee Orientation is the process of transforming our new and transferring employees into effective, fully contributing members of the NASA workforce. The process begins with the job offer and extends through their 6th month anniversary.

These are the first steps on their NASA Journey.

This Sponsor’s Guide for NASA Employee Orientation provides guidance and information about your role in the orientation process. It also includes tips and tools that you can use to: (1) ensure our new employee’s successful transition into our workforce and (2) create for them the excitement and belief that

Getting Started

NASA Employee Orientation is intended for any new, transferring, or returning employee that comes to your organization. As a sponsor in our very stable NASA workforce, you may not have a lot of experience in working with these new employees. When you are assigned to serve as a sponsor, we recommend that you first visit the NASA Employee Orientation website. On this site, you will find a variety of resources to assist you and the new employee with a successful orientation: www..employeeorientation.nasa.gov

Sponsor's Role in Orientation

• Remember your first days on the job? Those initial experiences go a long way in determining how quickly you became an effective, fully contributing member of our NASA workforce.
• Now, its your turn to help ensure that our new employee’s first days on the job provide a successful launch to their career.
• As a sponsor you are our new employee’s new NASA “best friend” . You are responsible for helping the employee get settled into the organization, their workplace, and the local area.
• Your basic role is to be available to answer questions or find someone who can; offer suggestions and advice about the organization and local area; and be available to help them find their way around at work.
• Typically, you can expect to serve as a sponsor from the time of the offer letter to about a month following their entry on duty.

1. When you are first asked to serve as a sponsor, visit the NASA employee orientation website. Familiarize yourself with what’s available to the employee, sponsor, and supervisor.
2. Use the online checklist builder to generate a sponsor’s checklist based upon the type of employee and the location.
3. When the job offer is made, contact the new employee to answer any questions and offer your assistance.
4. Ensure that the employee has the contact information for you, their supervisor, the relocation specialist, the benefits specialist, and the HR Specialist.
5. Identify your employee’s office right away and help the supervisor and organization ensure that it is prepared for the first day with: a phone, computer, furniture, user ID and password, Welcome Kit, and Welcome Letter. If possible ,have welcome emails waiting in their inbox along with items on their calendar.
6. If possible, be available their first day to welcome them and help them find their way . Assist the supervisor in introducing them to their co-workers and other key personnel.
7. During the first weeks, check with them often to see how they’re doing and answer any questions.
8. Help them get involved in meetings, projects, tours, and organization activities—right away.
9. Complete the checklist items and provide your feedback on the orientation program through the website.