Gain experience this summer with Work Study

Posted April 14, 2021

By Samantha Lizardo

If you are enrolled in at least 0.5 credits during the summer, you can gain paid work experience with the Work Study Program. Additional eligibility requirements may apply, please log in to CLNx to learn more.

Build your career during your studies this summer and discover the many benefits that a Work Study position has to offer.

Explore career possibilities

There are even more summer Work Study positions than ever before! Whether you want to get experience related to your program of study or your interests outside the classroom, there’s a wide range of opportunities across the University.

Josanne, a psychology and visual studies student, worked as a project coordinator for the #FOMO (Future Of My Own) Project. She shares her Work Study experience, “Without a doubt, I can say the immersive nature of my position helped me clarify my passions, connect with wonderful people and develop a diverse skillset that I can use to make a difference in the world.”

Grow your skills and enhance your learning

Apply what you learn in your studies and develop your skills on the job.

“My Work Study position gave me the chance to grow in ways I could never have imagined. Not only did I get the opportunity to use my psychology knowledge to amplify the project’s objectives (shout-out to Bandura’s self-efficacy theory!), but I also developed skills, like public-speaking, critical research, interviewing, graphic design and project management,” adds Josanne.

In the same way, the skills you learn on the job may also be useful in your studies.

During Rebecca’s Work Study experience as a research assistant, she learned how to effectively skim articles and academic papers which helped her studies in political science, philosophy and public law.

Check out the Work Study eModules to help you identify your strengths, set goals and reflect on your career development throughout the program.

Expand your network and make connections

A Work Study position is also a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with U of T staff, faculty and other students.

“I learned a lot about collaboration. I now feel more confident in sharing my ideas and working with others as research positions involve a lot of communication and collaboration with a professor,” shares Rebecca.

For Memma, a mechanical engineering student, she was able to work with many different members of the U of T community as a mentorship programs assistant with Student Life’s Access & Inclusion Peer Programs.

“The role allowed me to see how beautifully diverse the U of T community is and I’m thankful I got a chance to interact with so many different students and faculty,” she shares.

Work from home with flexible hours

This summer, most Work Study positions are offered remotely with limited in-person positions available for lab and field work.

Memma shares her experience working remotely last summer, “It was my duty to plan and facilitate online programs and it was a nice challenge to find ways to keep these programs as eventful and engaging as they would’ve been in person.”

When it comes managing your time, staff and faculty at U of T understand your priorities as a student and work can often be adjusted to fit your schedule. You can work a maximum of 15 hours per week and a total of 100 hours during the entire program.

Apply to Work Study positions on CLNx from April 19 – May 21, but deadlines may vary between positions, so apply early!

For more tips and resources on resumes and interviewing, visit Career Exploration & Education.

For resources on working remotely and to learn more about the Work Study Program, log in to CLNx.utoronto.ca