As a former student leader at UBC, my time at university was so fulfilling because of the people I met and the work I accomplished. My 4 years at school helped me build a resume of extracurriculars that landed me some pretty cool jobs after graduation.
Like many students, I found it really tough to meet friends and build a social life on campus when I started at UBC. I was a commuter student and didn’t get the residence life experience like many of my friends did—there was no Collegia back then! At the beginning of Term 2 in my first year, I knew I needed to work harder to expand my social circle and actually do something fun on campus. I found out about UBC Rec’s involvement opportunities through a classmate, applied, and the rest is history.
I worked as a student volunteer with UBC Rec for 3 years while at UBC. The connections I made with other students and the experiences I had quickly became my favourite part about being a UBC student—I only wished I had gotten involved sooner!
Many of my new friends also worked as Orientation Leaders or Residence Advisors, and the communities we were a part of were some of the most welcoming, inclusive, and passionate groups I’ve ever seen. Still to this day, I tell everyone I know who studies at UBC that they need to find a way to get involved and jump in feet first.
But before you take the leap, you need to figure out which opportunity is right for you. No two student leadership jobs are the same, so check out how they vary in length, compensation, commitment level, and more, below.
Residence Life
Residence Advisors (RAs)
Length: Long term
Compensation: Paid
Season: Academic year
Commitment: Significant part-time commitment during the academic year with a full-time, two-week orientation in August. Learn more about the commitment through the application process.
Applications open: Now - January 22, 2023
Whether you have lived in residence or not, you are probably familiar with what a Residence Advisor (RA) is. Being an RA might be the right fit for you if you want to help build a respectful, fun, and supportive community of students living in campus housing. You do not need to have lived in residence to apply—all UBC students are welcome to apply. Since it’s a live-in position, working as an RA is a slightly bigger commitment than other student leader jobs, but it does offer a lot of rewards—you’ll be part of a huge campus community, after all!
Orientations
Orientation Leaders
Length: Short term
Compensation: Paid or volunteer
Season: August - September
Commitment: High level of commitment required for a short period of time
Applications open: To be confirmed
Help introduce new students to UBC during their orientation. You’ll execute events, build a community, and create a welcoming, fun, and safe atmosphere on campus. Orientation Leader roles offer a supportive environment for you to discover your leadership style alongside dedicated staff and peers.
UBC Collegia
Collegia Advisors
Length: Long term
Compensation: Paid
Season: Academic year
Commitment: Part-time for the academic year
Applications open: To be confirmed
As a Collegia Advisor, you’ll help provide commuter students and/or Indigenous students with an inclusive home on campus during the winter session. If you already have a little leadership experience and are passionate about community-building throughout the school year, working with the Collegia team could be the right fit for you.
UBC Intramurals
UBC Intramurals Directors and Assistant Directors
Length: September 2023 - April 2024
Compensation: Volunteer
Season: Academic year
Commitment: 8-12 hours per week
Applications open: March 1, 2023
For over 50 years, Intramurals staff have passionately volunteered their time and delivered some of UBC’s most iconic events, leagues, and marketing initiatives. Supported by professional staff with experience in sport management and student development, you'll be part of one of the most immersive student experiences on campus—and one of the most recognizable Intramural staff programs in Canada.
UBC Sports Facilities - Operations Staff
Length: May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023
Compensation: Varies
Season: Spring - Summer 2023
Commitment: Part-time up to 20 hours per week
Applications open: February 10, 2023
If you're looking for a flexible work environment, apply to work or volunteer at one of the many sports facilities on campus—including the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, UBC Tennis Centre, War Memorial Gymnasium, and more.
UBC Camps - Summer Admin Team
Length: Short term
Compensation: Paid
Season: Summer
Commitment: Full-time
Applications open: January 2023
Join the UBC Camps admin team if you want to work in an office environment—and gain experience in marketing, finance, customer service, or team management. The environment is energetic, enthusiastic, and supports a strong team culture.
UBC Camps - Instructor
Length: Short term
Compensation: Paid
Season: Spring and summer
Commitment: Part-time or full-time in the spring, and full-time in the summer
Applications open: January 2023 (Spring) and March 2023 (Summer)
UBC Camps Instructors co-plan and facilitate day camp programming for kids and youth aged 6-17. Be a role model for younger generations, hone your leadership skills, and bring your energy and enthusiasm to making lasting camp memories with the UBC community!
UBC Camps - Future Global Leaders Live-in Monitor
Length: Short term
Compensation: Paid
Season: Summer
Commitment: Full-time
Applications open: March 2023
Be part of the integral team that makes Future Global Leaders (FGL) a success! FGL welcomes hundreds of 15-18 year olds to campus each summer to experience university life through courses taught by UBC professors, and social and cultural excursions in the evenings and on weekends. Live-In Monitors support program participants by acting as a mentor and role model, while accompanying groups to various on- and off-campus activities.
Peer Programs
Peer Program Leaders
Length: Long term
Compensation: Volunteer
Season: Academic year
Commitment: About 5-8 hours per week; varies by program
Applications open: February 13 - March 5, 2023
Join Peer Programs and support your peers while building valuable career skills. You can apply to be a leader in programs like Arts Peer Academic Coaches (APAC), SCI Team, Financial Wellness Peers, Peer Health Educators, and more. As a Peer Leader, you'll join a community of individuals who want to help others—all while making the greater UBC community a better place to learn and grow. You’ll also be supervised by UBC staff and build communication, organization, event planning, and coaching skills.
