Sitting in a classroom can be pretty boring. Learning the theory and background necessary for work may be essential, yet many students benefit greatly from practical, work-related experience, where they get the chance to reinforce their prior learning, gain new insight, and develop confidence in their growing skills. Programs that connect academic study with hands-on, real-world activities are gaining in popularity, as they not only build students’ expertise but also allow students to more deeply explore their career paths and make industry connections.
These experiential or work-integrated learning opportunities can be found in various forms in Ontario’s university and college programs. When researching potential educational and career paths, consider the extra value of programs that integrate the following kinds of options into their programs.
- Apprenticeships
On-the-job learning forms the basis of apprenticeship programs. Ontario’s many skilled trades programs incorporate paid work experience as the largest component on the path toward career-readiness and certification. Typically, apprenticeship training involves spending up to 80% of the program working and learning from skilled professionals on the job, with the other 20% of learning taking place in class at a college or other training centre. Some college programs offer more in-class instruction followed by a reduced length of time in supervised on-the-job training.
- Co-op Programs
Co-operative education programs are well-established in many of Ontario’s universities. Co-op programs alternate academic study terms on campus with work terms in fields related to the academic program. Because co-op work terms are paid, full-time placements, they provide an excellent opportunity for students to earn money for school while also gaining valuable work experience and connections that will benefit them upon graduation. Generally, students must maintain good grades in order to qualify for the co-op option within a program.
There are a couple of information technology programs in Ontario that take the co-op concept even further, with deep integration into workplace learning. For example, the Dev Degree program partners Carleton University with Shopify, where students earn half of their school credits in virtual learning on the job while also earning a salary. The Digital Technology program at York University follows the apprenticeship-style training format, with students working in paid, full-time positions in technology companies for 80% of their learning and spending only two weeks each semester in the classroom. Heavily work-integrated programs like these are more common in other parts of the world, but are beginning to gain interest here.
- Internships
Some programs include an internship, which is usually a supervised work placement near the end of a program. Internships can vary from a few weeks to a full semester in length, and can be paid or unpaid. They are meant as an opportunity for students to gain professional experience in their field and provide exposure within the industry.
- Practicums / Clinical Placements
Practicums and field placements are also supervised work experiences, but they differ from internships in that they are often essential for licensing or other professional certification in that discipline. They are usually unpaid, and are often incorporated into degree programs in regulated fields such as health, social work and education.
- Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) / Research / Community Projects
Work-integrated learning projects engage students in solving real problems for industry or community clients as part of their coursework. This can take many forms, from relatively simple in-class group assignments to capstone projects to internships. Some programs involve students in applied research projects where they can use their learning to bring innovation to specific challenges in collaboration with community groups, industry or government. Other programs may include structured volunteer projects that meet local needs and provide further learning opportunities within the subject area; these community-based projects sometimes involve travel to other parts of the world.
- Fieldwork / Study Abroad
Fieldwork may take place anywhere; it often takes the form of a “field trip” where student groups conduct study or research work tied to specific courses. Study abroad provides a more immersive experience, where credit courses taken at a sister institution abroad are applied toward the home program. Though different in scope, both of these forms of experiential learning are short-term, intensive learning opportunities that are usually undertaken mid-program.
- Simulations / Incubators / Competitions
Many post-secondary facilities offer experiential learning opportunities on-campus, either incorporated into programs such as business, technology and engineering, or as extra-curricular activities expanding on students’ skills. Virtual or physical simulations can be used for technological training or for exploring case scenarios in a replicated workplace setting, and are often incorporated into the educational program. Entrepreneurship incubators and competitions may offer mentorship and seed funding for students to develop business ideas or social reforms; these kinds of activities may be course-related but optional.
The integration of experiential, work-integrated learning activities that add concrete, real-world practice for students is growing among college and university programs in Ontario. No matter the career direction being explored, it is worthwhile to think about the added benefits of any experiential learning activities on offer when choosing a post-secondary program.
More information about post-secondary programs and choosing a career direction that will work for you can be found in Ready to Launch: Navigating the Transition from High School to Post-Secondary Life. Find out more about this helpful resource at ReadyToLaunch.ca.