New staff orientation is a strategy that can positively affect job satisfaction and productivity, especially for those beginning careers in student affairs. In this study, new student affairs professionals were surveyed to determine their perceptions about the content and efficacy of their orientation experiences. Despite literature encouraging intentionally structured orientation, results showed that informal strategies are still the most frequently used. Results indicated that participants believed that the most beneficial orientation emphases were those that provided context for the work and understanding of expectations. The specific orientation processes rated as being most effectively provided were those that introduced new professionals to their colleagues. In contrast, information that introduced characteristics of the faculty was less effectively provided. Although respondents varied in their satisfaction with their current position, the vast majority reported satisfaction with their choice of a student affairs career. Recommendations for more purposeful orientation activities are provided. (Contains 2 figures and 4 tables.)