Ensuring work experience can be gained before actually entering the workforce is becoming a vital component of the University of Lethbridge’s core values.
Work integrated learning is a flexible way for students to earn money, work experience and knowledge, all while maintaining a fulltime student status.
However, students are not the only beneficiaries of this program, at least according to Stacey Gaudette-Sharp, academic director of the Career Bridge Centre for Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development at the University of Lethbridge.
“There are very few things in life where everyone benefits, where it’s a win-win-win-win,” said Gaudette-Sharp. “Work integrated learning is one of those amazing things in life where everybody who participates benefits.”
She says students, who are the focus of the program, will get true industry experience that is directly related to their major while also earning a paycheque.
“A student in our program will never be fetching coffee or making photocopies, they’re doing real world work and they’re being paid for that work,” said Gaudette-Sharp.
The work integrated learning positions, or co-ops, are either four or eight month deals, which means students can supplement their income during the summer by applying for an industry related job and not worry about affecting their studies. Alternatively, students can take a year off their classes to work a co-op while remaining a fulltime student officially.
“(Students) shouldn’t get overwhelmed and we do a lot of work with them to try to ensure that they are sequencing in their co-op work terms at a time that works for them within their program plan,” said Gaudette-Sharp.
As well, she says the University is also searching for ways to help the employers who have teamed up with the school to create the work integrated learning opportunities.
“(We) provide access to information around how to access wage subsidies and providing some services in terms of helping them with administrative aspects of recruiting,” said Gaudette-Sharp.
The new president of the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Digvir Jayas, says students will learn vital skills, both academic, professional and personal, via work integrated learning.
He says this is because work integrated learning is at the heart of the university’s liberal education philosophy, which is, in a nutshell, the broadening of a student’s horizon.
“Work integrated learning does contribute to liberal education,” said Jayas. “… (Which) creates the holistic development of the students.”
This broadening of the horizon’s idea is shared by a student currently enrolled at the university and simultaneously taking advantage of the work integrated learning program.
Holly Dalton spent the summer working with Tourism Lethbridge and she says the program offered her the ability to understand her own vision for her future.
“Because of my co-op experience, it has provided me with renewed focus for my university education,” said Dalton. “Students can realize that it is or isn’t something that they want to pursue, so for me, I realized that I love working with the community and a career in tourism or anything culture related, like a local museum, would be a great fit for me.”
Furthermore, she says the work integrated learning program enables students to meet potential future employers.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to gain experience in their chosen field,” said Dalton. “It’s also great for networking and meeting industry leaders, as I have been doing this summer through my work with the Indigenous Tourism Advisory Committee. This is (an) experience I can take with me and build on and I’m hoping it will help me stand out for future employers.”
However, even with this high praise and beneficial remarks, Dalton says there are certain improvements that could be made on the work integrated learning program.
“I would rate it an eight out of 10. If you can get a job in your chosen industry, it’s absolutely great and very rewarding but there’s a lack of co-op jobs for certain industries like heritage and cultural management,” said Dalton.
Even so, she says there are still only a few negative aspects to the program, but the downers are significant.
“Sometimes co-op jobs are not available to just students, they are also open to the public,” said Dalton. “You’re still competing for entry-level positions with people with 20 years of experience.”
She says this contributed to her losing out on a position that she personally valued very highly and would have transformed her career path.
“I lost a job that would have absolutely propelled my career and would’ve been a great start,” said Dalton. “I lost it to somebody with 20 years experience who is not a student.”
Despite her setback, Dalton still fully recommends students pursue work integrated learning.
Cycling back to the university ethos of liberal education, Dalton says it is vital to learn as many skills as possible while in university and working in a co-op.
“Even if you can’t get a job in your chosen industry, it’s great to try new ones and to learn different skills. Everything students learn will help them in the future when they enter the workforce after graduating,” said Dalton.
Adding to her support of the idea of work experience, Dalton says employers would rather see a student who has completed work integrated learning than one who has not.
“I know that a lot of businesses and organizations value your experience more than they value your degree,” said Dalton.
For more information on the University of Lethbridge’s work integrated learning program, check out www.ulethbridge.ca/career-bridge.
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