Why and how to become a student orientation volunteer
Student orientation events are a critical part of transitioning new cohorts into the University of Manitoba community. Without current UM students stepping up as volunteers, these events would not be possible. Volunteers provide an enthusiastic welcome and introductory knowledge about the university that help to set students up for success from day one.
Student Affairs is seeking volunteer tour guides to help at Preparing for University, the first event of the UM Orientation series. The event will take place on May 4, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. on the Fort Garry campus.
To join the team, volunteers must:
- Be current UM students
- Be outgoing and comfortable sharing their experiences in groups
- Have a basic navigational understanding of Fort Garry campus
- Have a basic understanding of the essential UM services on Fort Garry campus
- Be physically capable of standing and walking for up to a couple hours at a time
- Be an enthusiastic member and advocate of the UM community
Kareem Sowid is an example of the type of students who make perfect orientation volunteers – friendly, well-spoken and invested in helping others. He was first drawn to a volunteer recruitment posting in his first year because he saw value in supporting new students at what can be a confusing, stressful time. Sowid explains, “Getting to meet new students, seeing their faces when they first walk into university, and getting that first impression – it really made me think, ‘wow, that was me two years ago when I first walked into university, and I was this nervous.’ So, when I volunteer, I genuinely always try my best to accommodate the students and I always let them know that there are no embarrassing questions or stupid questions.”
As much as new students benefit from the help of orientation volunteers, volunteers derive many personal benefits for themselves, too. For instance, volunteering is a great way to meet students from different faculties who you might never encounter in your classes. “It was very nice to meet people with different interests,” Sowid reflects, “I met a lot of my friends from the planning for university and I think it was a very good experience.” Furthermore, Sowid recalls how the experience left him feeling valued by his community, both at the event and long after.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tour guide, Student Affairs encourages you to apply. Start by filling out the 2025 Orientation Volunteer Application Form and choosing a 30-minute interview timeslot (if you’re a new volunteer). Successful applicants will need to attend a training session the week before the event to understand the structure of the event, learn the campus tour script and route, and cover any additional information they will be expected to know or convey to new students.