There is no doubt that universities nowadays highly encourage students to get involved on campus as much as they can. A high GPA does not always guarantee you a better chance at securing your first job. More often than not, it is previous experience, no matter how small and irrelevant it may seem, that will give you a huge boost during interviews. However, it may seem a bit overwhelming for international students to get started and get their hands on their first volunteer commitment.
Start with getting involved in your own department by listening to a guest lecture, volunteering at a research lab, or taking a practicum course. These are great chances to broaden your network and to get to know more people in your stream. Talk to them about your career plan. These people are the best at giving advice on how to transfer your life from university to work.
Additionally, ask your advisors where you can find information about getting involved on campus. It might be during community service day as an orientation facilitator or a student leadership program where you can work for different offices of your choice. These are great opportunities to develop teamwork, interpersonal communication, and leadership skills, which are needed in any field of work you choose in the future.
Don’t forget to check out your institution’s International Office; it is there to enhance the overall experience of international students. Take part in its cultural events to learn different Canadian traditions, including but not limited to holiday celebrations. Perhaps visit to a maple sugar farm or go skiing. I believe it is equally important to embrace the culture we live in as well as to acquire knowledge and skills in the classroom.
Lastly, I want to address the importance of balancing different roles once you start doing volunteer work. It is highly important for you to find a system to organize your life between volunteer office hours, bake sales, and of course your midterms and assignments. In my opinion, the time management skill that you will develop throughout this process may be another point to highlight on your resume.
With all that being said, good luck and get involved!