Megan Sarrazin
news editor
Although the summer break allows students to escape from the education-related stress associated with exams, assignments and making the grade, many students long for meaningful experience.
Sometimes, this experience isn’t easy to find in employment, especially if you are only a first-year student just developing your skills and job-related expertise.
A great way to build your resume and take part in relevant experiences is to lend your hand at volunteering.
Lucky for you, the City of Edmonton is filled to the brim with volunteer opportunities that can directly relate to your education.
If you are having trouble finding something that you are interested in, try speaking with aninstructor for some ideas.
Perhaps find organizations that you might consider working for and give them a call or check them out online to see what volunteer opportunities they offer.
Volunteer opportunities
May 12 — Festival Volunteer Fair
http://www.volunteeredmonton.com
Several arts and cultural festivals will be showcasing their volunteer opportunities, including festivals celebrating dance, music, culture, film, theatre and more at City Hall between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
April 16 — Edmonton Volunteer Fair
http://www.volunteeredmonton.com
Volunteering is a great way to build your resume and get involved in worthwhile causes in your community. The Edmonton Volunteer Fair, happening at the West Edmonton Mall between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., features 100 different non-profit organizations presenting their volunteer opportunities.
City of Edmonton
Volunteer opportunities are available for a variety of departments, including Capital City Clean Up, park patrol and River Valley Clean Up.
Edmonton’s Food Bank
http://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com
Edmonton’s Food Bank is the premier food bank in the city, assisting hundreds of people who are in need of food every day. A volunteer has the opportunity to work with clients, gain reception experience and even organize special events.
Edmonton Police Service
http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/joinEPS/Volunteering
Volunteering with the Edmonton Police Service will give you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the service and give back to your community.
Edmonton Public Library
The Edmonton Public Library is a resource frequented by students when prepping for exams and assignments. Why not give back? Volunteer opportunities exist to assist those with disabilities and take part in fundraising efforts.
Edmonton Humane Society
http://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com
Sometimes, people can be a bit overwhelming. But that’s where the Edmonton Humane Society comes in. You can spend a day caring for the various animals and helping people out in the adoption process.
Edmonton’s Valley Zoo
Volunteering at the Valley Zoo will give you the opportunity to interact with various animals and people, get involved with the City of Edmonton and most importantly, have fun.
Greenpeace
Volunteer-action.greenpeace.ca/Edmonton
If the environment and social justice is your passion, Greenpeace is the place for you. Getting involved is easy, and you are given the freedom to get involved in causes you holdclose to your heart.
Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross looks for all sorts of volunteers, from those looking to gain experience in disaster relief, to those looking to gain administrative experience.
Parkland Institute
http://www.parklandinstitute.ca/volunteer
The Parkland Institute is a research network that studies a variety of issues, from economic to cultural to political.
Conferences and forums
April 7 — A Research Agenda for Social Media Surveillance
The department of sociology brings students an overview of surveillance features on social media and looks at the relationship between social media and policing features. The event takes place the University of Alberta’s Tory Building at 12 p.m.
April 7 — Feed the Fight: The Role of Nutrition in Cancer
Students and various speakers will present their research on the importance of nutrition and health, with a specific focus on the role of nutrition with cancer.
The event takes place at Dinwoodie Lounge and Myer Horowitz Theatre at the University of Alberta between 9 a.m. and 4: 30 p.m.
April 11 — Getting back to basics; recommendations for U.S. immigration reform in the modern economy
Patrick Forrest from the U.S. department of Homeland Security will be speaking on immigration systems and the consequences of the broken system.
The event takes place at Telus Centre at the University of Alberta at 12 p.m.
April 14 — Percolate. Brewing ideas with Jeff Melanson
Jeff Melanson is the executive director and co-CEO of Canada’s National Ballet School in Toronto and will be in speaking at the Percolate 2011 Speakers Series, where he will discuss ways that the arts sector can better evolve in the world.
The event takes place at the Matrix Hotel (10640 100 Ave.) at 6 p.m. Tickets are free, but you must reserve your spot by visiting http://www.tixonthesquare.ca.
May 2 to 3 — Domination: an undergraduate conference about globalizing ideologies
http://www.macewan.ca/web/services/domination
MacEwan’s department of anthropology, economics and political science present this conference, with focus on various themes, from food to neoliberalism, tourism and music and film.
This event takes place in the Robbins Health Learning Centre.
May 4 — Canadian Institutes of Health Research — Institute of Population and Public Health
Speakers from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research will be presenting policies, programs and practices in public health and other sectors.
The event takes place at the Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation at the University of Alberta at 2:30 p.m.
May 7 — Child Care Conference
http://www.childcare.macewan.ca
The annual Child Care Conference provides delegates with an opportunity to learn, reflect and grow in childcare-related professions.
The event takes place at Grant MacEwan University’s City Centre Campus from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
May 19 — Percolate. Brewing ideas with Nancy Noble
Nancy Noble is the CEO of the Museum of Vancouver and will be in speaking at the Percolate 2011 Speakers Series, where she will discuss how the Museum of Vancouver is becoming more relevant and sustainable through community engagement.
The event takes place at the Matrix Hotel (10640 100 Ave.) at 6 p.m. Tickets are free, but you must reserve your spot by visiting http://www.tixonthesquare.ca.
