CUNYfirst Training: Onboarding New Staff Digitally

When a new staff member joins your team, their first encounter with the university’s reality is often CUNYfirst. It’s a complex system with a lot of rules, a lot of legacy processes, and a very specific way of doing things. Handing someone a 100-page manual and a login is a recipe for anxiety. Onboarding isn't just about teaching them the system; it's about welcoming them into the culture of your office and showing them how they fit in. The traditional approach is to sit them next to you and narrate what you’re doing for a week. But that’s inefficient for you and overwhelming for them. A better approach is to use simple digital tools to create a knowledge base that exists outside of any one person’s head. Start by documenting the common processes yourself. Not in a formal, HR-approved document, but in a simple, step-by-step guide with screenshots. "How to process a change of major." "How to update an address in CUNYfirst." "Who to email when you get this specific error." Store these guides in a shared, accessible space. Now, when the new hire has a question at 4 PM on a Friday, they don’t have to wait for you to be free. They can check the guide. Screen recording is another powerful tool. Instead of trying to explain a multi-step process, just record your screen while you do it, narrating as you go. It’s personal, it’s clear, and the new person can watch it as many times as they need. It’s like you’re there with them, even when you’re in a meeting. And don't forget the social onboarding. Use your team communication channel to make introductions, to share inside jokes, to model the informal culture of the office. A new person needs to know how to use CUNYfirst, but they also need to know where the good coffee is and who to ask for help when they’re feeling lost. CUNYfirst is the technical foundation of their job. Your job is to build a human foundation around it. Disclaimer: This post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not provide financial advice or investment guidance.