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Volunteer Opportunities

Two students with arms wrapped around each other's shoulders at an on-campus event.

Volunteer - TMU Orientation Crew

Orientation Week is a time for discovery. 

Volunteering is a great way to get involved, gain experience, and make an impact on our campus! Through this rigorous, collaborative and rewarding volunteer opportunity, you will be an integral part of developing a sense of community on campus and supporting new students transitioning into post-secondary. Our aim for Orientation Week is to welcome students to campus, introduce them to key resources, help them build a strong foundation, and to have fun while doing it.

TMU Orientation Crew applications are open year-round!

Upon Submission of this application an orientation staff member will contact you about future dates for a 3-hour training. These training sessions happen monthly and will also include a short assessment carousel.

Orientation Crew Responsibilities

The primary function and goal of TMU Orientation Crew volunteers (OCs) is to foster a welcoming environment for incoming students across campus (including within our residences) and to assist the Student Life & Learning Support and Student Housing Services teams with the implementation and coordination of Orientation Week events. 

Volunteers are tasked with providing a seamless transition for all incoming students with a welcoming, enthusiastic attitude and an ability to disseminate relevant information and knowledge. They are also expected to assist with the running of orientation specific programming. There are many exciting and rewarding positions available to you as a TMU Orientation Crew member, each catering to a specific function within the team and all of them invaluable to the Orientation program!

There are many great benefits to being a member of our TMU Orientation Crew! We want to help you reach your full potential and build transferable skills for future roles. Here are some of the skills and experience you will gain from volunteering with us:

  • Gain leadership experience through the successful completion of the TMU LEAD Blue Certification.
  • Connect with TMU students, staff, and faculty across faculties and programs.
  • Event Execution and Group Management.
  • Conflict and Crisis Management.
  • Communication and Interpersonal Relations.
  • Certificate of Participation at the conclusion of your role, with the possibility of a reference for future opportunities.


You will also have access to:

  • Ongoing training opportunities for personal and professional development throughout the year.
  • Bi-weekly volunteer social events, post-Orientation volunteer appreciation event, and other social engagements over the summer.
  • Free food, volunteer t-shirt, and other swag items.

As a member of the TMU Orientation Crew, you will be assisting the Orientation Team with executing dozens of events and programs for over 9,000 incoming students. 

For our programming, volunteers:

  • Must be available during Orientation Week (August 27 - September 4, 2023).
  • Take part in mandatory self-directed online training.
  • Attend events and assist with facilitation of activities when necessary.
  • Foster community through 1:1 or 1:many interactions in events and online through our discussion boards, by:
    • Facilitating icebreakers and other activities to increase engagement/enthusiasm.
    • Participating in discussion and responding to questions in the TMP Community Portal (People Grove) discussion boards throughout orientation (5+ times daily).
    • Hosting 2 daily Zoom Check-ins for students within TMP Community Portal (People Grove) discussion boards. 
  • Setting up and tearing down events (e.g. moving tables, setting up activities, handing out items, moving items from storage to the venue)
  • Helping run events (e.g. serving food, icebreakers, small group activities, moving items from storage to venue)
  • Welcoming and registering incoming students on a daily basis
  • Liaising with other faculty and group Orientation programs
  • Leading campus tours
  • Unloading cars and moving items during Residence Move-In Day
  • Creating a safe and welcoming community by leading icebreakers and activities
  • Directing new students and their guests around campus
  • Assist with TMU to the Core (TMU’s commuter program) to ensure commuter students are able to easily find and access campus facilities
  • In addition to the tasks above, TMU to the Core Ambassadors will staff the welcome booth on Gould street and local subway stations.
  • Applications received before August 7, 2023 will be reviewed for participating in Orientation 2023, where applications received after August 7 will be considered for Orientation 2024.

Volunteering as a TMU Orientation Crew member requires a level of passion and positivity to ensure the successful transition for incoming students. There are many qualities we look for in our candidates and a few can be seen below.

  • Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Consent and Respect for Aboriginal Perspectives
  • Empathetic and supportive to incoming students
  • Kind and caring individuals
  • Able to work flexible hours and on a variety of tasks
  • Motivated and enthusiastic
  • Able to function individually and apart of a team
  • Problem solve and adapt to unexpected situations
  • Be helpful and respectful

Undergraduate On-Campus Jobs

Join the Student Life & Learning Support team and gain valuable experience and a wide range of leadership skills! Positions range from Peer-to-Peer Support, Event Planning Assistants, Communication Assistants, and Office Support. We encourage all students to get involved and contribute to the TMU campus community through these paid opportunities. 

We begin the hiring process for Summer 2023 and Fall 2023/Winter 2024 in November 2022. Sign-up to receive a notification of the job opportunities.

 (google form) Sign up for Undergraduate On-Campus Jobs Notifications (external link, opens in new window) 

Graduate On-Campus Jobs

We hire a small number of opportunities for graduate students to work as writing consultants or math tutors. These are CUPE 3904 Unit 3 positions, and typical contracts can be up to 390 hours per academic year

Check TMU’s TA/GA career opportunities on my.torontomu.ca for other opportunities.