Join ASSET
The Alumni Student Support Engagement Team (ASSET) provides a rewarding and meaningful volunteer experience for Alumni. As an ASSET member, you will volunteer directly with students and other services on campus to positively impact the mental health and well-being of UAlberta students.
ASSET volunteers:
- Have supportive and caring conversations with students, in person or virtually
- Provide information/referrals to mental health support services available on campus
- Engage with students at various events throughout the year (note: events are not occurring on campus currently, but we hope we'll be able to volunteer on campus next year)
- Work with our campus partners, such as the ACCESS network, Career Centre and Dean of Students Office, to deliver mental health programming and check-ins
- Reduce the stigma around accessing mental health supports
- Contribute to a caring campus community inclusive of students, staff, faculty and alumni
- Receive training in Mental Health First Aid, helping skills, grief and loss, suicide prevention and self-care that will both prepare you for this role and be useful in your everyday life.
- Get to know fellow alumni and and be able to support each other, create new friendships and expand your network.
- Access meaningful and rewarding volunteer experiences with students.
- Contribute to the growth and direction of the ASSET program.
- Receive a certificate of completion following each training session. Letters of reference can be provided after the completion of one year with the ASSET program.
- Leadership roles will be available to those who continue with the ASSET program beyond one year.
Volunteer must be a University of Alberta graduate.
In addition, the following skills are required to be successful in this volunteer position:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- The ability to build rapport, engage in non-judgemental active listening and demonstrate empathy
- The ability to work both independently and cohesively with other members of ASSET
- Excellent organization, communication (verbal and written) and time-management skills
- A strong understanding and respect for privacy and confidentiality
- It is important to be comfortable and have the technology to attend meetings or volunteer in an online environment (i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
In order to be successful in the program, volunteers will be required to complete mandatory training.
- Commit to at least one (1) year volunteering with the ASSET program. Year commences after the completion of training.
- Complete the necessary training requirements
- Submit a Police Information Check
- Volunteer at least four (4) hours per month during the academic year NOTE: Most volunteer opportunities will be during daytime hours and will currently be online but move to on-campus when it is safe to do so
- Abide by the ASSET Volunteer Code of Conduct and Alumni Volunteer Handbook policies and procedures at all times
- Attend monthly meetings with other ASSET members to network, share resources and help plan future events (meetings will currently be online and move to in-person when it is safe to do so)
July 1
Applications open
August 31
Applications close
September 1-14
Program coordinators will review applications and select those to proceed to an interview. The number of those who proceed to interviews will depend on the number of applications received.
September 15-29
Interview period
September 30
Final decisions made. New ASSET volunteers to begin their training in October.
Why did we develop the ASSET program?