Get involved

Get involved with Waterloo Engineering!

There are many opportunities for you to get involved to give back to your alma mater with your time and talent. Below, explore the various ways to share your knowledge and expertise to enrich the lives of current engineering students and your fellow engineering classmates. 

Network

Waterloo Engineering Hub

Alumni share knowledge and experience with current engineering students and recent graduates to provide career insight and inspiration. 

LinkedIn Group: Waterloo Engineering Alumni

Enrich your personal and professional network. Join the private group of engineering alumni and students on LinkedIn.

Volunteer

Card-Writing Meetups - Call for alumni volunteers!

Join us and a small group of engineering alumni for an after-work drink and to write notes to applicants with offers.

To assist the Faculty of Engineering in our efforts to confirm offers of admission to our engineering programs for Fall 2026, we would like to request volunteers to write personalized handwritten notes (warm fuzzies) on postcards that will be mailed to applicants with offers from the University of Waterloo. Since competition continues to increase for these applicants, this initiative is designed to develop a positive connection with Waterloo Engineering and inspire future students to accept their offers.  

Alumni are invited to volunteer to write cards at one of our upcoming casual card-writing alumni meetups:

  • March 24 at 5:30 p.m.: Holly’s Café, 27 Roy Street, Kitchener
  • April 23 at 5:30 p.m.: Midnight Run, 84D King Street North, Waterloo
  • Pick up a package of postcards at one of the above sessions or on campus to write postcards at home

If you would like to volunteer to write personalized notes, please sign up online for one or more sessions. If you don’t have time to attend a session, please drop in (at one of the sessions or on campus) and pick up at least 10 postcards and take them home to write them at your leisure – please complete the notes on the postcards and return them to campus within 2 weeks of receiving them. If you have any questions, please email engrecruitment@uwaterloo.ca

Testimonials from past volunteers who wrote cards:

"I would like to do this because I received a card when I was in high school and it was a big reason why I chose UW. I have kept the card until now and it has been a big motivation in me getting through my degree."

"I graduated from BME in 2024, and I was an orientation leader for two years. I'm very excited to be a part of the excitement and journey for our incoming students."

Become a Class Representative

Be part of the Reunion action! Reunion Class Reps are essential in keeping your class connected to the Faculty of Engineering.

Become a Class Representative for Life

Class Reps for Life are essential in always keeping your class connected to the Faculty of Engineering, not only for Reunion but for other activities as well.

Become an event host or volunteer

Host an alumni event at your company or volunteer to support an event.

Become a fundraising volunteer

Champion a class gift or solicit donations from your classmates.

Join your local alumni chapter

Get involved with alumni in your city or region.

Host an affinity group

Become a host of a group of alumni to discuss a topic of interest.

Become a mentor

Give personal or career advice. Your wealth of knowledge as well as insights and experience gained in developing your successful career could make a tremendous impact on current engineering students or recent graduates who are just starting their careers.

Be a guest speaker

Share your knoweldge or expertise with students or alumni in a classrom or at an event.

Become a Global Ambassador

Volunteer to become the contact in your corner of the world for students and alumni.

Volunteer for DAC

The Dean's Advisory Council (DAC) provides input and guidance towards Faculty priorities and future strategic directions while helping to garner the additional resources needed to further the Faculty of Engineering in its mission of education, research and knowledge transfer.

To volunteer, please e-mail the Director of Development, Engineering.

Volunteer for REAC

The Recent Engineering Alumni Council (REAC) provides the Faculty of Engineering advice and guidance on future engagement activities for alumni who graduated in the last ten years.

Volunteer for RAC

Admission Interview Video Reviewer

Admission interview video reviewers are volunteers who provide valuable input by watching and assessing short, pre-recorded admission interview videos so the Faculty of Engineering can identify the most talented undergraduate applicants to become part of the next class of future engineers to solve some of the world's biggest problems. 

Admissions Information Form (AIF) Volunteer Reader

Help shape the next incoming class of talented undergraduate engineers by volunteering as an AIF volunteer reader. Alumni who volunteer as readers will review the admission information form submitted by applicants and provide valuable input on the applicant's written responses so that the University of Waterloo can identify the most talented engineers of future classes based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities and future aspirations.

Recruit Talent

Hire Waterloo

Hire an engineering co-op student, graduating student or alumni.
 

Refer your employer

Remember your first co-op job? Pay it forward. Refer your employer to the University of Waterloo as a potential employer.

Be social

Stay connected, expand your network and join our conversations on our social media channels.
Please contact the Alumni Officer if you have any questions.

Volunteer Position Description

Guest Speaker

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, 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, sign up online to indicate your interest.

Become an event host or volunteer

Engineering Alumni Affairs hosts many events throughout the year. Most notably, reunions are held on-campus on a yearly basis. Other alumni events may be hosted by alumni at their company location.

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 be added to our list of event volunteers and to discuss your volunteer interests, sign up online to indicate your interest.

Become a fundraising volunteer

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 or sign up online to indicate your interest.

To make a personal gift to the Faculty of Engineering, visit the on-line pledge form.

To the many alumni volunteers who give their time and energy to the Faculty of Engineering to support students and alumni - THANK YOU!