Volunteering

If you want to gain experience while making a difference, then volunteering might be right for you. Volunteering unites students and communities through a shared purpose. Get involved to gain valuable experience, develop transferable skills, help organizations meet their goals and build better communities.

Find opportunities on OSCARplus

Thousands of opportunities are posted each year. Visit OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Volunteer and Experience Building to browse and apply.

OSCARplus

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is a win-win-win situation. You get to build valuable skills and experiences in hands-on, real-world applications. The organizations you volunteer with receive your dedicated time and support. Lastly, volunteering benefits the wider community by creating a culture of mutual support, collaboration and care.

  • Develop new skills like leadership, teamwork and problem-solving.
  • Gain a broader perspective by exposure to diverse cultures, experiences and ideas.
  • Build professional networks with like-minded professionals and organizations.
  • Enhance your resume by demonstrating initiative and community involvement.
  • Explore careers and industries.

Not sure where to start? Have questions about volunteering? Meet one-on-one with our experiential learning team. We can help you find an opportunity that suits your interests and goals.

Book an appointment on OSCARplus > Student Success Centre > Appointments > Experiential and Employment.

Community Engagement and Volunteer Fair

The Community Engagement and Volunteer Fair is an annual event that takes place in early September. Connect with organizations and explore opportunities to get involved, explore different career fields and develop meaningful connections while developing transferrable skills and gaining valuable experience.

Online Job Fair: Volunteer, Part-Time and Summer Opportunities

This fair takes place in the fall and spring each year. Discover a range of volunteer opportunities, co-op positions and part-time and full-time jobs. Plus, connect in real time with organizations who want to hire McMaster students and recent alumni.

Volunteer with the Student Success Centre (SSC)

Ready to volunteer on campus? The SSC hires 140+ volunteers each year to provide support and leadership. Start here to discover your options and check for hiring timelines. Then, apply on OSCARplus, under Student Success Centre > Volunteer and Experience Building.

Overview: Through this volunteer program, you will be part of the Student Success Centre’s community, working together with peers to support and develop your leadership and professional skills.

List of hiring units?

Timelines: Postings typically go live in April for positions starting in the fall. We offer training and support throughout the spring and summer.

Overview: Help make a fellow student’s transition to McMaster a memorable one, and consider applying for this volunteer position. Open to domestic and international upper-year students.

Timelines: The program takes place from June to April of the following year and requires a commitment of a few hours per week (not every week). All upper-year buddies are expected to attend an online orientation and complete online training.

Overview: Volunteer to greet incoming international students arriving at Pearson International Airport. This is a great way to provide new Marauders with a warm welcome as they start their transition to life at McMaster and in Canada.

Timelines: Application timeline? The Airport Welcome Program takes place throughout August.

Overview: Each year, Mac’s Money Centre and campus and community partners come together to support the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP). Through this program, we offer free tax services for McMaster students and eligible Hamilton/surrounding area community members.

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.

Timelines: Applications open in November. Training takes place in early winter to provide tax support for students and community members from February to May.

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