Volunteer & Experience Building
The Experiential Team at the Student Success Centre has events and opportunities for you on OSCARplus to develop your skills and to learn about other ways you can get experience and make important industry connections.
Benefits of Getting Involved
Remember that although some of these opportunities are unpaid positions, they are not without benefit:
- Having a history of volunteer experience and community service not only improves job prospects, but also access to continuing education:
- 76% of human resources executives agree that volunteer experience, and the skills associated with this type of responsibility, improve a job candidate’s desirability (2013 American study)
- 58% of university admissions personnel agree that volunteer experience/community service improve a student’s likelihood of being accepted to a post-secondary institution (2018 American study)
- Some jobs require that a successful applicant have a certain amount of relevant experience – In the appropriate field, volunteer work can provide this experience
- Unpaid work experiences are one of the best ways to explore different interests: in this manner, it allows you to try out different opportunities without commitment and exposes you to a variety of work environments
- These opportunities open the door to making vast connections to organizations and working individuals – these could just lead to a job prospect
- Volunteering develops a wide range of skills – from time-management, to communication, to compassion and leadership skills, volunteering hones a specific skillset and teaches how to apply these skills and knowledge to any professional endeavor
Types of Opportunities
Career Trek is a short-term, unpaid opportunity that can provide students with real world, hands-on experience. During this experience, students work with a company to provide project support, while gaining experience and getting mentorship.
Challenge is a volunteer position that allows students to showcase their knowledge and skills while working on real-world problems.
Experience Venture is an opportunity that enables students to make an impact alongside real-world innovators through entrepreneurial thinking placements.
Global Impact @ Home is a volunteer opportunity to make a difference with a local organization that has a global perspective through a placement or Career Trek. These are short-term opportunities to gain valuable workplace experience and receive mentorship.
Hack-a-thon is where teams of 3-5 individuals come together to creatively solve problems. It builds essential skills for students in developing business and consumer solutions
Volunteer is a long or short-term opportunity that brings students and communities together through a shared purpose. It is a great way to gain valuable experience, develop transferable skills and help organizations meet their goals and build better communities.