WashU encourages your involvement in co-curricular activities such as student groups, jobs, internships, and research. These experiences help you learn and connect with people and issues you really care about, enjoy your time, make an impact, and build a resume of meaningful experiences to take forward. Here are some places on-campus to connect with such opportunities.
Campus Jobs and/or Paid Student Leadership Positions
On-campus jobs can help you build skills and gain important experience. A few resources for finding jobs:
- Handshake (use ‘Washington University’ as a keyword). This includes part-time Federal Work Study positions.
- Flyers on bulletin boards around campus
- Talking with staff and faculty about possibilities
In addition, consider paid student leadership positions. Student leadership comes in all shapes and sizes at WashU. Here are just a few examples of on-campus leadership roles, and the office in which they are housed: (Note: these positions require applications and interviews)
- Residential Life – Resident Advisor (RA)
- Student Transitions & Family Programs –Peer Mentor Programs such as WUSA
- Undergraduate Admissions – Bear Ambassadors
- The Learning Center – Peer Leader with PLTL (Peer-Led Team Learning)
- Center for Career Engagement – Student Intern, Career Peer
- Overseas Programs – Peer Advisors, Ambassadors
Campus Life
Campus Life empowers students to discover and define themselves and their communities through advising, programs and resources. This includes learning how to get involved on campus through student groups (we have 400+!) including sororities and fraternities, events and activities for the student body (WUGO: Calendar of Events). This office also houses undergraduate student government.
Campus YMCA
The Campus Y is a unique student-run branch of the YMCA that serves both the St. Louis and WashU communities. Campus Y has 25 student service and leadership programs to address a variety of issues, interests, and community needs. Students also can propose/incubate new programs. Drop by the lower level of Umrath Hall to learn more.
Office of Undergraduate Research
Has a professor sparked your interest during a course? Is there a project or an area of research that you’ve been excited to explore? As a research 1 institution, WashU is engaged in new discoveries every day. The Office of Undergraduate Research can help you start to connect with this work. Some resources they provide:
- Chat with a WashU Research Ambassador to get started, and for peer mentorship
- Develop application materials; connect with faculty for research assistant opportunities
- Summer funded research programs such as SURGE
- Undergraduate Research Symposia (each semester)
- Research panels, discussions with mentors
Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement
The Gephardt Institute envisions that WashU students are inspired and equipped to contribute to the progress and vitality of communities around the world. They offer a host of programs and funding in the areas of engaging democracy, engaging St. Louis, and leading change.
Bauer Leaders Academy
Bauer Leaders Academy can help you engage in experiential learning, focused coursework, and coaching.
Center for Experiential Learning
The CEL offers a variety of programs to engage in real-world problem solving and build professional business skills as you earn class credit.
The Undergraduate Bulletin
This is the catalogue of undergraduate courses and degrees at WashU. It’s a great resource for exploring courses in areas other than your major or school. WashU is known for cross-disciplinary study and this tool helps guide that academic exploration. You might also check out the Arts & Sciences Course Explorer.
Course: Career Exploration at WashU
GEST 2421 Career Exploration at WashU: Understand Yourself & Envision Possibilities This one-credit, 7-week course guides you through a personal career exploration process to increase your self-confidence and personal clarity, leading to intentional and meaningful career choices. It is designed to help you better understand your interests, values, and strengths as they relate to your college experiences and the world of work beyond. This class is fantastic for sophomores, but open to all who are interested.
Center for Career Engagement
In addition to career education, resources and tools, individual coaching, and employer interaction, the Center for Career Engagement also offers special opportunities such as Bear Treks to explore industries in various cities, the Summer Internship Fund, the Pershing Fellowship in Non-Profit Leadership, and the Chancellor’s Career Fellows Program.
Campus Events
Happenings at WashU can keep you up to date on speakers, exhibits, seminars, performances and other events on our campuses.
Center for the Humanities
The Center for the Humanities offers research fellowships and Studiolab courses for undergraduate and graduate students.
WashU Libraries
The WashU Libraries are a powerful network of academic resources featuring 9 Libraries; vast print and electronic collections; and expert librarians whose priority is helping students find the information they need. The libraries also offer competitions and awards such as the Newman Exploration Travel Fund to support those who explore the world for intellectual and cultural development, the Mendel Sato Research Award, and the WashU Data Viz Competition.