What Else Is Available If I Don’t Get the Opportunity I Want?
If you aren’t successful in obtaining an ROP, a Work Study position or other on campus opportunities, here are some alternatives:
ROP Alternatives: these suggestions can help you obtain research skills and knowledge
- Work Study: this program offers summer positions and fall/winter positions in different university departments. Duties and qualifications vary. All positions are listed on the CLNx; for timelines and eligibility requirements, consult this page
- Volunteering with a professor: some professors accept volunteers to assist with research; review the “How to Approach A Professor” tipsheet for information on how to connect with professors.
- UTM Abroad Academic Experiences: UTM Abroad allows you to take a UTM course during your regular semester and travel to a location pertinent to your studies during the study breaks. Travel with your professor and classmates to deepen your learning through first-hand experience.
- Co-curricular Record (CCR) opportunities: The CCR lists on-campus co-curricular programs and opportunities to develop skills. Using the search function you search for Research related activities available on all three campuses.
- Volunteering, other opportunities: the CLNx lists on and off campus volunteer positions and any off campus paid positions, including research opportunities.
- PART program, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre: provides training for research opportunities.
- Social Innovation Projects: Over 16 weeks you will work alongside Not-for-profit organizations to research and find achievable solutions to a challenge or problem the organizations is facing, which is then presented to the Board of Directors for funding approval.
- Independent Research: This is a research course that can be arranged with a faculty member. The course is intensive, but can be a great alternative to an ROP project.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program: The Institute for Medical Sciences SURP offers this program on an annual basis.
Work Study Alternatives: these opportunities can help you build skills
- Volunteer opportunities and paid work on campus: check the On Campus Opportunities information
- Co-Curricular Activities: recognized on the Co-Curricular Record these activities are designed to develop skills and competencies that will help you build your resume.
- Join a UTM recognized Club or Group
- Part-time and Summer jobs: see current opportunities on the CLNx
- Job Search: the Career Centre can help you find more opportunities, as many jobs never get advertised; come by DV3094 or use the LiveChat on our website to speak with our staff
Resources to help you find opportunities:
CLNx – the CLNx is a university wide database where you can look for volunteer opportunities, on and off campus employment, experiential learning opportunities and mentorship programs.
Co-curricular Record (CCR) – located on the CLNx, the CCR is a resource to locate co-curricular skill building opportunities across all three campuses.
Student Organization Portal– this database contains every club and group recognized by UofT at all three campuses. Find a groups that matches your interests and join today.
Learning Abroad – see the world by participating in an international experience. Take courses, engage in research or do an internship abroad, all while earning credits towards your degree.
Career Centre – work with an Employment Strategist to help you develop your job search plan, review your resumes and cover letters, practice interviews and other job search related support.

Additional Resources
Skills Articulation (SA) Module
Part-Time & Summer Work Opportunities
Know Your Rights
- Employment Laws Information
- Canadian Human Rights Act
- Ontario Human Rights Commission
- Ontario Ministry of Labour Employment Standards Act
Research Organizations
Selected list...
- Brampton Business Directory
- Canada Newswire
- Geomatics Canada
- Charity Village (Non-profits)
- Contact Canada (Pharma & BioPharma)
- Globe Investor - Company Snapshots
- GoGeomatics
- Profit 100
- Mississauga - Business Profiles and Facts
- Report on Business: Top 1000
- Strategies: Company Directories
- Ontario Environment Business Directory
- Halton Business Directory
- Company Research Tip Sheet
- Life Science Ontario
Job Search Sites
Selected list...
General
- Adzuna
- Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network
- Glass Door
- Indeed
- Job Bank
- Jobs.ca
- Keyobi
- LinkedIn (job search)
- LinkedIn (salary)
- Magnet / Aspire
- Monster Board Canada
- Neuvoo
- Settlement
- Simply Hired
- TalentEgg
- Workopolis
- Wow Jobs
- Zip Recruiter
Academic and University Jobs
- Canadian Association of College & University Student Services
- University Affairs
- University of Toronto
Accounting
- Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
- BDO Dunwoody
- Deloitte
- Ernst and Young
- KPMG
- PriceWaterhouseCoopers
Arts, Media and Entertainment
- Culture Works
- Jeff Gaulin's Journalism Job Board
- Mandy-Jobs in Film and Television
- Media Careers
- Media Job Search Canada
- Playback Magazine Careers
- Work in Culture
Biology/Chemistry/Research
Business/HR
Environment
Finance and Insurance
- BMO Financial Group
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- CIBC
- Financial Planners Standard Council
- HSBC
- Insurance
- Insurance Works
- Laurentian Bank
- RBC Financial Group
- Scotiabank
- TD Financial Group
- Toronto Financial Services Alliance
- Manulife Financial
Government
- City of Brampton
- City of Mississauga
- City of Toronto
- Government of Ontario
- Public Service Commission of Canada
Hospitality and Tourism
Information Technology
Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations
- Canadian Public Relations Society (Career File)
- Fresh Gigs
- Strategy Online (formerly Marketing Magazine)
Not for Profit/NGO
Political Science
Public Administration
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Careers
- Federal Government Jobs
- Institute of Public Administration of Canada
- Ontario Public Service Jobs
- City of Mississauga
Science
Social Services
Internships
Selected list...
- Career Edge Internships (for recent graduates only)
- CIDA International
- Global Affairs Canada - Development
- GoinGlobal - Access GoinGlobal through CLNx by looking on the left menu under the “Resources” heading for GoinGlobal.
- IAESTE
- Jobs at Public Service Commission of Canada
- Katimavik
- Ontario Legislature
- Ontario Internship Program
- Ontario Government jobs for People Under 30
- PEY: Professional Experience Year
- Services for Youth
Part-Time and Summer Work Opportunities
Selected list...
- Career & Co-Curricular Learning Network
- Workopolis
- Federal Student Work Experience Program
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Young Canada Works
- Parks Canada
- City of Mississauga
Work Abroad
It’s important to do some research about employment laws and visas before you apply for any international opportunities. Here are a few places where you can do the research...
- Canada World Youth
- International Experience Canada
- CIDA Int'l Youth Internship Program
- Dave's ESL Cafe
- GoinGlobal - Access GoinGlobal through CLNx by looking on the left menu under the "Resources" heading for GoinGlobal
- Go Abroad
- Go International
- Overseas Jobs
- SWAP
- Youth Challenge International
- U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
- Centre for International Experience | International Education Centre
Need More Info?
Don't forget to check out our career resource library located in DV 3094 for an abundance of information related to your work search.
If you're a UofT student who graduated more than two years ago and are wondering about career services available to you, please visit http://alumni.utoronto.ca/services/career-services or check out the SHAKER Professionals Group.
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