The ISWO program offers paid positions for eligible students. Keep reading to learn about the types of opportunities, eligibility and more. Then, we’ll help guide you through the application process.

How to apply

You can apply for the ISWO program and explore applicable positions on AwardSpring, McMaster’s aid and awards application portal. After you create an AwardSpring profile, the platform will match you with all the aid and award opportunities you’re eligible for. It also tracks the completion of any additional requirements on a user­-friendly dashboard.

ISWO program approval

You will be emailed a PDF Confirmation to Participate. You must include a copy of this PDF with every on-campus job application as proof of your eligibility, as it will not be stored in AwardSpring.

Join us on February 12 for back-to-back events focused on making sure you’re ready to take on midterm season. Start by grabbing a slice of pizza and creating a plan for how to get the most out of Reading Week, and stick around for two interactive workshops on organizing your calendar and avoiding burnout. 

Location: SSC Writing and Academic Skills Hub | Mills Library 215 | Meeting Room 
Date: February 12, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Register now: 

• Pizza and Planning: Grab a slice and make a work plan for Reading Week — 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Command Your Calendar: A workshop to take you from overwhelmed to organized — 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• How to Avoid Burnout — 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

For students registered with Student Accessibility Services (SAS), make sure to check out the Momentum Study Sessions happening February 26, March 19 and April 2 for more opportunities to stay focused and get things done. Register on OSCARplus.

Overcome writer’s block with Writing Fast but Smart 

Dr. Yi Zhu is back, delivering a series of eight workshops to support you through every part of the writing process, from brainstorming a topic to making final edits on your essays and assignments. Drawing on his extensive experience teaching and tutoring undergraduate students, Dr. Zhu will share secrets to writing high-quality academic papers. 

Location: SSC Writing and Academic Skills Hub | Mills Library 215 | Meeting Room 
Dates: Every Friday from February 6 to April 3 (no session during Reading Week), 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Register now: 

• February 6: Finding a Topic
• February 13: Reading and Taking Effective Notes
• February 27: Writing a Strong Thesis Statement
• March 6: Planning and Structuring Your Essay
• March 13: Writing Natural Transitions
• March 20: Analyzing Evidence or Data Effectively
• March 27: Citing and Quoting Strategically  
• April 3: Polishing and Formatting 

Need a break? Come to Cocoa and Cats: Featuring Theo the therapy cat

Take a break this midterm season and recharge in a calm, welcoming space! Enjoy hot cocoa and good company — including Theo, the therapy cat. Throughout the event, mini academic skills sessions will provide practical strategies to stay focused and organized during midterms. Connect with academic coaches, learn helpful techniques and leave feeling refreshed and motivated.

Location: SSC Writing and Academic Skills Hub | Mills Library 215 | Meeting Room 
Date: February 23, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Register now: Cocoa and Cats

These events have limited capacity. Register today! 

For more support, browse more workshops and register for appointments on OSCARplus. 

Identify your needs, wants and values to ensure that you are accurately reflecting them in your goal setting.  

Here are some questions to ask yourself to better understand your money habits and how they contribute to your financial wellness: 

• “I enjoy spending money on this because…”
• “I dislike spending money on this because…” 

Then, you can start aligning your purchasing decisions based on what you value — and how much you value each purchase. 

Identify your current financial situation 

Determine your current financial status by reviewing your current income, expenses, savings and debt (including the interest rate) to understand your starting point and what is feasible.

Setting your goals 

All financial goals are usually about opportunity cost and the trade-offs that come when making this decision.  

For example: “Saving $50 a month might mean I have to reduce my discretionary spending.” This means that evaluating your current spending and determining where you can potentially reduce or reallocate your money is essential for meeting these goals. 

Make sure to determine your time horizon and risk tolerance: 

• Time horizon is the length of time you expect to hold an investment before needing to use the money.
• Risk tolerance is your ability and willingness to accept changes in the value and possibility of loss. 

Simply, this means that a short-term time horizon will likely mean taking less risky investments or strategies, while longer time horizons will allow for more consistent investment and risk associated with your goals.

Being SMART with your money 

As with any type of goal setting, it’s important to think about what’s specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound (SMART). 

Setting SMART goals, using tools such as the Prosper Canada SMART Goals Planner, can help support your ability to action and understand challenges which may impact your ability to meet these goals.  

How we can help 

If you are interested in meeting your financial goals for the upcoming year, consider reaching out to money@mcmaster.ca. We can support the planning and strategy so you can meet your goals for 2026! 

Resources and tools 

• Prosper Canada Learning Guide: Your Money Goals
• Prosper Canada Learning Guide: Setting Savings Goals
• Prosper Canada Learning Guide: Setting SMART Financial Goals
• Risk Tolerance Assessment

Command Your Calendar is about building practical systems and habits that reduce stress and help you feel in control — with help from some tools and resources recommended by our writing and academic skills experts.

Attend if you want to:

• Create a reflective practice to celebrate wins, identify growth areas and set realistic intentions.
• Organize dates and deadlines into a clear, actionable calendar.
• Prioritize competing tasks so you feel confident about where your time goes.
• Manage email clutter and use tools like flags and pins to stay on top of important messages.
• Discover how gen AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can support planning and reflection, making progress a regular occurrence.

Where and when?

Location: SSC Writing and Academic Skills Hub | Mills Library L215 | Meeting Room
Dates: We’re hosting this workshop several times this term. Register for one of the following dates and times that work best for you:

• January 27, 1:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m.
• January 30, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• February 12, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• February 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• March 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• March 26, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Procrastination loves to whisper, “later”

But making this small decision now — to attend a workshop built to help you reclaim your time — could be the moment that shifts your whole semester.

This workshop has limited capacity. Register today.

For more support, browse more workshops and register for appointments on OSCARplus.

The Tax Squad is your opportunity to get financially confident and make an impact in the community. Learn to file personal income taxes alongside chartered professional accountants (CPAs) and other volunteers.

No tax experience is necessary. We train and supervise.

Have questions?

Email money@mcmaster.ca.

The Renaissance Award is highly personal. It’s a chance for you to work on a project that matters to you.  

• Lead a 4- to 12-month project of your choosing.
• Receive up to $25K each year, depending on the project budget.
• Students in financial need may build a wage into their budget to help compensate for time spent on the project.
• Individuals and teams of two are welcome to apply.

The Renaissance Award is really meant to promote inquiry and encourage people to do something different than they ever thought they might. This award is for students who want to go outside the box and bring some of the expertise from other specialties into their own area of study. It’s meant to encourage people to get away from a regimented stream and course of events into something that’s a little less planned, a little less obvious to most people, and to encourage exploration. We’d like students today to know that there are actually many pathways.

— Drs. Jolie Ringash and Glen Bandiera, founders of the Renaissance Award

Application support

Our certified experiential learning coordinators can help you explore ideas, set goals and make a plan before you apply. Please email experiential@mcmaster.ca and include “Renaissance Award” in the subject line.

Project support

If selected, you will require a faculty advisor and a student success coach for your project. You will be required to stay in contact with both throughout your project completion.

• Student success coach: If you are selected as a recipient, you will be assigned a student success coach who can help guide you to explore, reflect and act — all essential components of experiential learning. You will stay in touch for project updates, deliverables and any challenges that you might encounter.
• Faculty advisor: You will need to find a faculty advisor for your project. This advisor must be a faculty member from outside your program whose expertise aligns with your project goals. They will help guide your research direction and provide academic support throughout the process.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Renaissance Award, you must:

• Have completed the first year of your program
• Be a current full-time undergraduate, graduate or School of Medicine student
• Have a cumulative GPA of 10 or more
• Want to engage in a 4- to 12- month self-directed enrichment experience outside your chosen program of study

The full eligibility details are also posted on AwardSpring.

Where to apply

• Community projects that create real impact
• Mentorship programs with peers or professionals
• Fellowships that grow your leadership skills
• Workplace simulations that let you test-drive career scenarios
• Clubs and student groups where you can lead, plan and collaborate

These activities help you develop the skills employers value most — like communication, teamwork and problem-solving — while letting you apply your knowledge in real-world situations.

Think of it as a chance to boost your resume, meet great people and discover what you’re capable of. Whether you want to prepare for your career, explore something new or just get involved, we’ll help you find the right opportunity.

We can help you experience, reflect and act (ERA)

We have the resources and supports to help you not only gain experience but also reflect on what you’ve learned and create an action plan. This will help you leverage each experience to enhance your academic and career journey. 

This experiential learning model ensures that you gain the skills and critical thinking needed to maximize your learning experience.

Use these resources to help you get started and guide your experiential learning journey.

Experience Building

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Applying for the International Student Work Opportunity (ISWO) program

March 1

What is the International Student Work Opportunity (ISWO) program? The ISWO program offers paid positions for eligible students. Keep reading...

Midterm prep at McMaster University — workshops and academic support for students

February 2

Attend Midterm Prep Day for studying, staying organized, self-care and more  Join us on February 12 for back-to-back events focused...

Financial goal setting 101: A guide for McMaster students

January 28

How to start planning your financial goals Identify your needs, wants and values to ensure that you are accurately reflecting...

Command Your Calendar: How to end procrastination and get organized

January 19

What if time management could feel empowering? Command Your Calendar is about building practical systems and habits that reduce stress...

Volunteer to join the 2026 Tax Squad

October 29, 2025

Each year, Mac’s Money Centre and campus and community partners come together to support the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program...

Apply for the Renaissance Award — up to $25K to work on a meaningful project

September 26, 2025

About the award The Renaissance Award is highly personal. It’s a chance for you to work on a project that...

Enter your experiential learning era | Experience, Reflect, Act (ERA)

August 27, 2025

How to get started These activities help you develop the skills employers value most — like communication, teamwork and problem-solving...

Bridge the gap from the classroom to the workplace with work-integrated learning 

March 1, 2025

What is work-integrated learning (WIL)?  What if we told you there’s a way to take your learning beyond the lecture...

Your guide to finding off-campus housing at McMaster

February 5, 2025

On November 19, 2024, the How to House Hunt panel discussion, led by housing experts in Hamilton, McMaster professionals and...

Financial experts answer your top money questions

December 3, 2024

This Financial Literacy Month, we welcomed finance experts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw back to McMaster for a candid conversation...

Show more

What is work-integrated learning (WIL)? 

What if we told you there’s a way to take your learning beyond the lecture hall and into the real world? Enter work-integrated learning, your golden ticket to bridging theory with practice. 

Examples could include hackathons, case competitions, short-term projects, job shadows, internships, campus jobs and volunteering, just to name a few.  

Let’s break down some of the benefits

1. Increased employability: WIL isn’t just a buzzword. Employers love candidates who’ve dipped their toes in the professional pool. It’s like having a “hire me” sign on your resume. 

2. Theory meets reality: Remember those mind-boggling theories from class? WIL lets you put them to the test. Suddenly, they make sense, and you’ve got hands-on experience and skills to show for it. 

3. Career exploration: WIL is your backstage pass to different career paths. You get to peek behind the curtains and decide if you’re more suited for marketing, coding, event planning — the list goes on. 

4. Networking: You’re probably familiar with the phrase, “it’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” Well, WIL lets you know the right people. You’ll get to connect with potential employers, mentors and industry experts. 

What McMaster students have to say about it 

My Global Experience Award was nothing short of amazing… After I received the funding I applied to do an internship opportunity with a healthcare company in the U.S. and later continued to work with the company as a part-time assistant. This opportunity allowed me to expand my networking circle outside Canada and introduce me to industry jobs in the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields. My GEA experience also allowed me to meet some incredible people, attend cutting-edge seminars in the pharmaceutical industries and also attend a conference… These experiences are super helpful in deciding whether something you’re interested in is a suitable career choice!

Nawal, fourth-year Science student

I went on a global experience this summer. I had the opportunity to work at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida and experience the magic of the company… This experience changed me as a person and helped me grow so much into the person I want to become.

Kristina, third-year Science student 

Follow @MacSSC on Instagram and X (Twitter), and join our LinkedIn group, for more information and opportunities throughout CEWIL Month. 

On November 19, 2024, the How to House Hunt panel discussion, led by housing experts in Hamilton, McMaster professionals and upper-year students with lived experiences, addressed questions about finding off-campus housing at McMaster University. The panelists answered questions related to tenant rights, responsibilities and the student rental process in Hamilton, Ontario.

On the panel this year (from left to right):

• Catherine French, Hamilton Housing Help Centre representative
• Michael Blashko, Housing Lawyer and Queer Justice Project Lead, Hamilton Community Legal Clinic
• Sarvin Khak Zadeh Mohamareh, Senior Community Advisor, Residence Life
• Kaylinda Mupesse, Student Accessibility Services Ambassador
• Valeria Flores, Access Program Ambassador

1. Set your budget 

House hunting can be exciting, but our experts encourage you to be realistic when searching for housing. Knowing how much you can afford to pay for housing will be a determining factor in what options are available to you. Rent can vary depending on location, property type, and size. There can also be additional costs associated with a rental. Be sure to find out what is included in your rent price such as utilities and parking that may not be included in rent but may be factored into your budget.

Not sure how to determine what you can afford?Use Mac’s Money Centre’s budgeting tools to help get you started or email Mac’s Money Centre money@mcmaster.ca to set up an appointment to get budgeting advice from a professional. 

2. Outline your “must-haves” or “nice-to-haves”

Everyone has different needs and wants when it comes to housing – know what yours are before you begin searching. Making a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves is a great way to help guide your search. If you are someone who absolutely must have a big window in their bedroom, you can make your search easier by avoiding basement units. A list of nice-to-haves is also helpful. There may be some things that you’d love to have in your new rental, but knowing you can go without some of these will open your search up to more options. 

3. Start the search

Now that you know what you want and can afford, it’s time to start searching! There are many sites to search for housing – like Facebook, Kijiji and Places4Students. We also recommend using your community as a resource. Facebook groups for McMaster student rentals may be useful and connecting with upper-years who may be leaving their unit could be a great way to learn about housing that may not yet be listed. For a full list of websites that can help you find housing in Hamilton, check out the Housing Help Centre’s rental listings page. 

4. Be aware of “red flags”

Remember, if a rental listing seems too good to be true – it probably is. Scams are very real and anyone can be a target, so be sure to do your due diligence to protect yourself. Listings may not be reflective of the rental – or the rental may not exist at all. It is very important to visit a rental in-person to ensure it is as advertised before providing personal information or signing a lease. If a landlord is asking for money before you have visited the unit in person, this is an immediate red flag and a good sign to continue your search elsewhere. If you are unable to visit potential rentals in-person, ask someone you trust to do it for you.

Remember: Do not share personal information, send money or sign a lease unless you are able to confirm that the rental is legitimate. 

5. Be thorough – and then be thorough again! 

Throughout the house hunting process, it is important to be thorough. When searching for listings online, make sure you are reviewing all the information provided. Before visiting a potential rental, you can view it on Google Street View and even search the property and landlord to see if there are any reviews – Reddit can be helpful for this. When visiting a rental in-person, ask to take photos. Not only will this help you to remember what each rental was like, but can also be a great reference to go back to when comparing options. If meeting with the landlord, prepare questions to ask them – like what is included in rent, how the outside of the rental is maintained, etc. Record as much as you can with photos and notes so you can refer to them when needed.

And lastly, once you have found a place you’d like to rent, read the lease thoroughly and carefully. A lease is a legally binding document. There are different things that can be included in a lease and different types of leases for those living with housemates (group lease vs. individual lease). If you have any questions about leases, contact Hamilton Community Legal Clinic.

In conclusion

There is a lot to consider when it comes to house hunting, especially for the first time. Though it may seem overwhelming at first, being thoughtful and thorough can help you to find the place that is right for you.

Did you know? McMaster has a brand new off campus residence, open to the McMaster community! McMaster’s 10 Bay Residence is a reliable option for students who are interested in a fully-furnished, turn-key unit with a variety of amenities geared to students.

The How to House Hunt panel event was hosted by the Student Success Centre in partnership with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Housing & Conference Services and the Access Program.

This Financial Literacy Month, we welcomed finance experts Rob Carrick and Roma Luciw back to McMaster for a candid conversation about personal finance and money management. Rob is a personal finance columnist and Roma is a personal finance editor at The Globe and Mail. Together, they host a podcast called Stress Test, that focuses on demystifying common financial topics for a gen-z and millennial audience.  

How can financial literacy benefit you? For one, it can help empower and equip you with the tools to make the best financial decisions for you.

Here’s how Rob and Roma addressed three pressing financial topics:

Managing financial pressure

Rob and Roma start by acknowledging that the costs associated with getting a university education have gone up quite a bit in recent years. Many of the questions they received from students were around how to set yourself up financially by investing and saving. However, with financial pressure at an all-time high, Rob’s number one piece of advice for students is to avoid accumulating more debt.

There will be time to invest once you’ve graduated and have started earning an income, but it is best to “contain your debt to your student loans, if you have student loans. If you’re able to save a little bit, I think that’s great,” says Rob. If possible, he suggests keeping an emergency fund in a high interest savings account. This is a risk-free place to park your savings and earn between 2 to 3% interest, so you have a cushion for when you need a new laptop or you get an expensive dental bill.

Investing as a student

Rob shares that it’s best to invest with money you won’t need in the next few years. This means that if you have not accumulated any debt, and you have money left over after you’ve paid for the essentials and contributed to an emergency fund, you could invest that cash. “In order to have almost a guaranteed great outcome from stock market investing, you have to have a 10-year horizon. Less than that, you’ve got to think about saving and keeping your money safe,” says Rob.

As a student, Rob advises avoiding paying extra fees associated with banking and investing alike. Nowadays, there are lots of options available to you. So, do your research, and make sure you are making an informed decision when choosing who to trade with.

Lastly, it’s also okay to start small when it comes to investing, even as little as $10 will help you get started.

Job searching as a new graduate

“How many of you guys are getting close to graduating?” Roma asks. About half the room raises their hand.

Roma shares that on Stress Test, they talk about how to build and start careers. This includes what to negotiate when it comes to job offers. “One of the best things you can do is negotiate things that are feasible,” says Roma.

Salary can be negotiated, but “benefits can be worth thousands of dollars,” says Rob. Things like dental work, medical care, mental health support, physiotherapy and massage can cost hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars, and having benefits can save you from paying out of pocket.   

One student in the audience shares that they currently have two job offers on the table: one offers a lower salary with a better projected career growth, and the other offers a higher salary and better benefits, but less projected career growth.

Roma asks, “which one are you more excited about?”

If you find yourself in this scenario, especially in this financial climate, Rob suggests asking yourself some important questions. For example, is this the career you want? The answer can help determine whether career growth is a worthwhile focus when evaluating offers. Additionally, consider whether you have debts to pay off. If so, a higher salary can help you lower that debt at a faster rate.

To learn more about these topics from Rob and Roma, visit The Globe and Mail’s website and subscribe to the Stress Test podcast.