One way to get involved in the department 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 second year or summer between second and third year.
If you are doing well in a course, you can reach out to the professor to see if there is a possibility of volunteering in their laboratory. Alternatively, you can read about each faculty members’ research interests by visiting our Faculty page. Click on each faculty profile to read about their research, and email whoever you might be interested in working with. Try not to get discouraged if you don’t receive a response. 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 volunteer opportunities in a lab require 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.
The Science Student Success Centre's tips on getting involved in science.
Charity Village: A database of postings in the non-profit sector.
The Royal Ottawa: 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,
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.