Campus Volunteer Opportunities

The Berkeley Aging Cohort Study The Jagust Lab is inviting healthy adults age 70 and older to participate in a study investigating how cognition changes over time.

During the course of the study, participants are interviewed and given a brief physical examination. Participants will also take a series of cognitive tests measuring memory, problem solving, and other thinking abilities.

Participants will be invited back at 1 or 2 year intervals to repeats these tests, providing researchers with a better understanding of aging and increased ability to diagnose and treat future patients. Participants may also undergo PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to study the brain’s metabolism and protein deposits as well as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans that take pictures of brain anatomy and structure. These scans will be compared to those of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to help researchers understand pathology.

Please note that study participants will not receive direct feedback on their performance and brain images. Those not presently in good health, who have had history of neurological or psychiatric problems, or who cannot speak English proficiently should not volunteer for the study. When calling to volunteer, a research associate will ask interested participants a series of questions to determine eligibility. Participants will be compensated $40 for taking the cognitive tests. Participants will also be paid for undergoing brain scans. Learn more about the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study at http://jagustlab.neuro.berkeley.edu/ or contact the lab at (510) 643-6609.


Berkeley's Early Childhood Education Program
Volunteer in the classrooms assisting the teaching teams in caring for the wonderful children in the program. Four centers within walking distance of the University and one center at the University Village in Albany, serving children 3 months to 5 years. For more information send email to ecep@berkeley.edu, or visit the website at: http://ece.berkeley.edu/  Download a volunteer application 


Cal Alumni Association

Whether you want to come back to campus for the first time in 20 years, reconnect with classmates, build a stronger connection with the University, or make a difference in students’ lives; the Cal Alumni Association is a place where you can do it all!
http://alumni.berkeley.edu/volunteer
http://alumni.berkeley.edu/volunteer/interest-form


Cal Performances
Currently, Cal Performances utilizes over 200 volunteers as ushers at performances. If you would like to add your name to the list of potential future volunteers, please email volunteer@calperformances.org. You may be contacted in the future when Cal Performances needs more volunteers.

http://calperformances.org/support/volunteer/


Decision-Making Research Subject Volunteer Pool
Have you ever wondered about how you make decisions? The Moore Accuracy Lab in the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley is looking for participants to participate in a decision-making research study. They are interested in finding out if decision-making changes across different age-groups, and your participation will help them piece together a more complete picture.

If you are interested in participating in this study, sign up at: https://berkeley.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bw2Pqzur5hhyEND. If you have any questions, please contact Julia at 510-642-8639 or jprims@berkeley.edu.


Greater Good Science Center
Volunteers play an essential role at the Greater Good Science Center with everything from publicity to event staffing to editorial assistance.  We are looking for volunteers who want to contribute to the greater good by providing research and editorial assistance; helping us use social media; maintaining our website; fundraising; and producing multimedia content.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/get_involved/volunteer


Lawrence Hall of Science

The Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley Public Science Center is looking for individuals interested in giving back to the community  and having fun while sharing their passion for science, engineering, math or technology. We are looking for enthusiastic people to facilitate various programs. Volunteers assist families in design, building, and testing of rotating engineering challenges in our Ingenuity program.  Volunteers can also facilitate in the main exhibit area, interacting with the public and engaging guests of all ages and backgrounds in hands-on activities associated with STEM as  well as participating in special events. Volunteers who are interested in environmental sciences can also support our Outdoor Nature Lab engaging the public in explorations and observations of natural ecosystems. 

We are also looking to include future volunteering opportunities in our Biotechnology Learning Lab and  the Animal Discovery Zone.

Through joining our program, volunteers have the opportunity to:

  • Give back to their community
  • Gather valuable experiences which would allow them to explore different career pathways and could also contribute to build their resume.
  • Develop valuable skills that include public speaking and customer service, self-confidence and leadership, patience, adaptability and flexibility to manage multiple assignments under changing conditions, and the ability to plan, problem-solve, organize, and prioritize work 
  • Learn about engaging and communicating science to the public and making an impact
  • Find a safe way and a place to socialize with other individuals and build interpersonal relationships
  • Enjoy the benefits of experiencing a learning environment with staff, UC Berkeley students, and other adults from all around the Bay Area.

Ideal candidates must apply here and be able to attend the Mandatory Orientation and  demonstrate a passion for science, technology, engineering, math, or education and/or be interested in working with the public.


Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology recognizes the valuable contributions made by volunteers toward its mission of preservation, interpretation, research, and understanding of its collections. To learn more, visit click here.


UCB Psychology Research Subject Volunteer Pool
If you are interested in participating in research through the Department of Psychology at UC Berkeley, click here to find new and ongoing studies that are in need of participants.  Each study is administered independently and may have specific requirements for participation. For more information on the study or to volunteer to participate, please contact the lab directly.


UC Botanical Garden

The UC Botanical Garden has a thriving volunteer community. Our volunteers are essential to educating the public, maintaining the collection, growing plants for sale, aiding in research, staffing the Garden Shop, and helping with special events. The UC Botanical Garden welcomes volunteers in most departments.

Most volunteer positions require the ability to work at least once a week for a minimum of 3 hours between 9 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday.  Exceptions include volunteers who work in the Garden Shop (3 hour shifts AM or PM, twice a month), Ambassadors (2 hour shifts, once a month minimum), and Special Event volunteers (ad hoc). The Garden Shop, Ambassador and Special Event volunteer programs are available seven days a week. 

We ask volunteers for a 1 year commitment with the exception of the Ambassador Program which can be shorter-term if needed. We ask all volunteers to become Garden members and to renew your membership each year. Volunteers are eligible to purchase memberships at the UC affiliate rate.

Visit the Garden's Volunteer web page to learn more about each volunteer program and to fill out an interest form. 

University Section Club: Since 1927, the University Section Club has encouraged a sense of community on the Berkeley campus. Welcoming newcomers and reaching across departmental boundaries from all corners of the university, it has been a catalyst for friendship and for service.  The Section Club offers a variety of  "sections" or interest groups which are the heart of the club- from languages to tennis, to birding to photography. Their number and activities are limited only by the imagination and energy of the members.  Volunteer activities include welcoming and supporting students, international scholars and their families. Fundraising activities, dues and donations support philanthropy to students which include emergency grants, financial support for student groups and programs, and two endowed scholarships.