Chaymaa Dinouri, fourth-year student in communication and political science — Career Corner mentor
Chaymaa first got a job on campus with the Gee-Gees event team in her first year at the University of Ottawa. Then, she spent a year working as a Faculty of Arts mentor before moving to another mentorship role at the Career Corner. Chaymaa is very active in student life. She finds working on campus allows her to stay involved in all kinds of initiatives while maintaining a healthy balance between her job, her classes and her personal life.
As a career mentor, Chaymaa supports her fellow students through the job hunt. It’s a position that gives Chaymaa unique insight into career opportunities linked to her program of study, and even how to become a more competitive candidate herself when she graduates.
“The Work-Study Program offers flexible hours around your class schedule, a steady job and a chance to develop a really good network.”
Chaymaa Dinouri
— Fourth-year student in communication and political science
1. Take part in the Work-Study Program
Access the Work-Study Navigator through uoZone and start browsing all the available positions in our student services, faculties and more. These jobs are a great way to get work experience, often related to your field of study or your skill set.
Hiring for fall 2025 officially starts August 1, 2025. You must fill out the financial questionnaire, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled as a full-time student. You can only be matched to one work-study position per term, typically from seven to 12 hours of work per week. You could earn around $7,450 over the fall and winter. Part-time jobs when you’re a student can be a stepping stone to a fulfilling career. Find out more about the Work-Study Program.
2. Find a part-time job outside of the Work-Study Program
The summer and early fall are usually peak times for on-campus hiring. The On Campus Employment web page gives you the latest overview and is a great place to browse part-time, casual positions.
Varsity Athletics typically hires in August — you could be a game day DJ, webcaster or announcer, or help ensure Gee-Gees events run smoothly. Who knows? You could even don the furry horse suit and become the next Gee-Gees mascot!
Campus Recreation typically hires throughout the year. Part-time positions include intramural referees, personal trainers, lifeguards and swim instructors, as well as group fitness instructors, fitness attendants and client service attendants.
Harper Shaefer, fifth-year student in health sciences — logistical support assistant, Sports Services Reservations and Travel
Harper has been a logistical support assistant for the Sports Services Reservations and Travel team since 2023. She’s a student-athlete herself, so this job is perfect for her very active lifestyle.
Harper says working on campus gives her a clearer picture of the administrative and planning work that goes into each sports team’s schedule. She adds that gaining exposure to the realities in this field has enabled her to give back to the uOttawa community, which has been a big part of her experience.
Thanks to the flexibility her supervisors ensure she gets, an on-campus job has become a valuable outlet for her, allowing her to focus on priorities besides sports and school.
“I would highly recommend a campus job to other students who are looking for work that can fit seamlessly into their experience as a student.”
Harper Shaefer
— Fifth-year student in health sciences
3. Visit the Career Corner
The Career Corner, located in the Jock Turcot University Centre (UCU), Room 216, is a great place to start. Career specialists and counsellors will be able to tell you more about the Work-Study Program and other ways to find a job.
If you’re on the hunt for a job off campus, they’ll be able to help you prepare and navigate resources, such as job search websites. Beyond that, you can also talk to them about your career concerns and clarify your academic and career path. Check the schedule of in-person and online drop-in sessions.
The Career Corner is your one-stop-shop for anything to do with finding a job or your future career. Whether you’re just starting your university journey or getting ready to enter the job market after graduation, its expert staff members are ready to offer job search advice, career counselling and numerous other services.
Aurora Bowie, first-year MA student in education — student assistant in residence conduct and safety
For Aurora, it was the sheer number of opportunities listed in the Work-Study Navigator that encouraged her to apply for a job on campus. While she completes her master’s in education, she’s working as a student assistant in residence conduct and safety.
She finds her on-campus job rewarding — it lets her have a hand in a range of projects that contribute to the student experience. From managing a school program to seeing it through, she’s honing her practical skills to complement the educational theories she’s learning about in class.
“It’s definitely helpful to be able to work and study in places that are only ever a few minutes’ walk apart — it helps make my schedule throughout the day much more efficient!”
Aurora Bowie
— First-year MA student in education