For Community Advisor Clélia Tombelle, moments like these define the job.
Every year, dozens of students take on the role of Community Advisor (CA), a position that blends mentorship, crisis response, leadership, friendship, and sometimes a bit of late-night emotional first aid. As applications remain open for just over 60 positions until February 1, two CAs shared what the role really looks like from inside residence life.
“You’re the person people come to. You need to love listening. You become the person residents trust with things they might not tell anyone else.”
Clélia Tombelle
— Fourth-year student in second-language teaching
Clélia describes the CA role as a “job that exists to help people.” New students often arrive with questions, doubts or worries. CAs become the first friendly face they can trust.
Her week includes daily conversations with residents, planning the program, posting event reminders, writing reports and collaborating with other CAs. For someone who loves meeting people, she says the role has been transformative.
“This is my fourth year, and I’ve met more people in one semester than in all my years combined.”
Second-year finance student Amro Amster wasn’t expecting to join the team.
“I was waitlisted,” he says. “Months later they called and asked if I wanted the position. I said, why not?”
His interest in the role came from his own CA, who showed him what the job truly involved.
“I’ve always been a social person. I like solving problems. I felt like I had the natural skills for it.”
Amro Amster
— Second-year finance student
For students who’re not sure whether they should apply, Amro has some simple words of advice.
“Try. You have nothing to lose. And if you’re accepted, that’s amazing.”
What CAs actually do
Most students don’t know what a CA is when they first arrive on campus. Amro compares it to “a camp counselor, but for university.”
CAs are trained to support students through a wide range of challenges — burnout, academic stress, alcohol misuse or mental health concerns.
They also plan monthly community events that bring students together. Some are small gatherings while others, like apple-picking outings or trivia nights, are planned for students across all residences. They also rotate through “duty shifts,” staying in residence from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., doing building rounds, ensuring safety and checking in on students.
How the role changes you
Both CAs say the job transformed them. For Clélia, it meant becoming more organized, gaining confidence and strengthening her communication skills, especially in English.
“My community is mostly Anglophone,” she says. “I had never spoken so much English before. Now I can hold long conversations easily.”
“I pay more attention to non-verbal cues now. Before, I didn’t always notice when someone said they were fine but clearly wasn’t.”
Amro developed what he calls a “sixth sense” for emotional and behavioral signs. During training, he handled a simulation involving suicidal thoughts, something he found intimidating beforehand.
“Apparently I handled it really well,” he says. “I realized I had skills I didn’t know I had.”
Why it’s worth it
The CA role offers friendships, leadership opportunities and the chance to make a real difference within the student community. It also develops skills that stay with you long after university, from time management and conflict resolution to community building, crisis awareness and empathy.
“It opens you mentally,” Amro says. “You meet incredible people from different backgrounds and perspectives.”
“It’s a job you never regret,” adds Clélia. “You make an impact you don’t even realize.”
Ready to join the team?
Applications for Community Advisor, Peer Support, and Team Lead positions are open until February 1 at 11:59 p.m. Peer Support and Team Lead roles require prior experience as a Community Advisor at the University of Ottawa. Start date is August 14, 2026, with dozens of positions available across residences.
“Tentez votre chance,” Clélia says. “You won’t regret it.”