Get involved

Waterloo Engineering Alumni Affairs and the Faculty of Engineering host a number of events each year where alumni guest speakers can make a great contribution.

These may include student educational forums such as Bridging the Gap, alumni gatherings such as professional development seminars hosted by a regional chapter, or presentations by student-directed organizations such as Women in Engineering and Engineers Without Borders. Alumni volunteers may participate in a range of speaking opportunities, from presenting a seminar in their area of expertise to sitting on a panel of speakers to addressing an intimate gathering or leading a question and answer period.

Because the time commitment, responsibilities, and benefits range widely across speaking opportunities, a detailed job description does not exist for this volunteer opportunity.

To be added to our list of potential guest speakers and to discuss your areas of interest and expertise, contact the Alumni Officer.

Engineering Alumni Affairs hosts many events throughout the year. Most notably, reunions are held on-campus on a yearly basis.

Although these events are planned and administered by staff in Engineering Alumni Affairs, alumni participation and volunteer assistance is always welcome and encouraged at our alumni events.

Alumni can assist with special events by consulting on the planning process, assisting with promotions, or helping run the actual event. At any given event, alumni volunteers may be used to help set up a location, take registrations, or introduce and thank speakers.

Because volunteer time commitments, responsibilities, and benefits range widely across events, a detailed job description does not exist for this volunteer opportunity. To find out about what special event volunteer opportunities are available now, contact the Alumni Officer.

If you have ever wanted to give advice to current students in the MBET program or to undergraduate engineering students taking the entrepreneurship option, you might consider becoming a mentor for the upcoming mentorship program.

Your wealth of knowledge as well as insights and experience gained in developing your successful career in leading a start-up could make a tremendous impact on current engineering students who are just starting their careers.

More information about the mentorship program for entrepreneurs will be available in the Fall of 2014.

If you are interested in volunteering as a mentor, please contact the Alumni Officer.

In a time of decreasing public funding for post-secondary education and increasing demands on the post-secondary education system, it is extremely important for universities to obtain funding from other sources, including government granting agencies, research contracts, corporate sponsorship, and philanthropic gifts from alumni, friends, and industry.

The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo has placed a priority on fundraising to meets its philanthropic goals. The Faculty has a team of full-time Development Officers who work with faculty members, administrators, and volunteers to raise funds for the Faculty's many worthy projects.

Alumni volunteers may help raise funds for the Faculty by soliciting gifts from their peers or companies, championing a specific cause, or helping identify prospective donors. Because of the wide variation in volunteer opportunities for alumni interested in assisting with fundraising for the Faculty, a general job description is not available for this opportunity.

To find out more about how you can help raise funds for your Faculty, contact the Director, Development & Alumni Affairs, Faculty of Engineering.

To make a personal gift to the Faculty now, visit the Office of Development web site and on-line pledge form.

The uWaterloo Alumni Council is a 16-member alumni volunteer advisory committee whose goal is to advance the mission of the University and help serve the needs of the alumni community. The Council is governed by a Planning and Priorities Committee and meets three times a year. Ad-hoc groups are established on an as-needed basis to assist in achieving alumni goals and priorities.

Current ad-hoc groups focus on leadership giving, alumni communications, and co-operative education review.

In the near future, the Alumni Council will review its mandate and structure, explore greater opportunities to engage the expertise of council members, and explore further opportunities to involve other alumni in volunteer roles.

To learn more about the uWaterloo Alumni Council, please contact Jason Coolman, Director, Office of Alumni Affairs.