One way to get involved in the Department of Neuroscience and gain hands-on experience is to volunteer in a research lab. We generally discourage students from volunteering in their first year of study, as it takes some time to get adjusted to the demands of university. A great time to start would be in your 2nd or 3rd year, once you’ve taken some upper-level courses that have a more specific focus (and are taught by faculty members with expertise in that area).
You can learn what type of research is happening in the department by visiting our faculty member profiles. Click on a person to read about their area of research and see if there are links to related websites. You can also search the internet for more information about their recent publications or social media, etc. Once you have an idea of what research happens in their lab, you can email a professor who you might be interested in working with.
Try not to get discouraged if you don’t receive a response. The world is full of people that don’t answer emails, and academia is definitely no exception. We recommend a polite and professional email follow up a week or so after the initial contact. Alternatively, you can pay a visit during office hours or if you notice an open door. After one attempt at following up, if you still don’t receive a response or reciprocated interest, then move on to someone else.
Something to keep in mind is volunteering in a lab requires a significant level of commitment, and if you do start helping with a research project, you will be expected to show up and provide assistance as required. It takes a lot of time to train and set up a volunteer position, so please make sure you are dedicated before beginning.
Here are a list of organizations outside of Carleton Neuroscience that may offer volunteer opportunities of interest:
Charity Village: Apply to volunteer listings on Charity Village in your area.
Carleton Thrive Week: Thrive Week at Carleton is a week-long series of events focused on building positive mental health for Carleton students, faculty and staff.
Recovery Day Ottawa: Recovery Day is an annual community event in the month of September. The purpose is to help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and raise awareness about recovery in our community.
The Royal Ottawa: The Royal is one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres. The volunteer positions at The Royal provide opportunities to develop new skills and work with a diverse group of people within a mental health care setting,
Carleton Student Experience Office: Check out the Carleton Student Experience office page for opportunities open to all Carleton University Undergraduate students.
Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO): CHEO’s program opportunities are based on the needs in different areas of the hospital, and so CHEO will match applicants’ skills, availability and experiences to their current needs.
The Ottawa Hospital: Check out The Ottawa Hospital’s volunteer page for opportunities to get involved in a health care setting.
Canadian Mental Health Association: The CMHA offers two different volunteer programs. Check out the website if you would like to provide support to individuals going through serious mental health problems, or you would like to join a youth program dedicated to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.
Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre: Hopewell offers flexible scheduling and an opportunity for you to use your skills and talents to make a difference in the community.
Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health: Wabano helps members of Ottawa’s Indigenous community every step of the way, from providing healthcare to mental health programs, from cultural events and classes, to collaborating with social service providers.
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre: At the PQCHC, volunteers and staff are considered partners and work in collaboration to uphold the Centre’s principles, values and mission.