Ways to Get Work Experience

Often called a capstone or consulting project where students work with a community partner to solve organizational challenges with the guidance of instructor(s) for the duration of the course. 

A clinic is practice-based work experience under supervision.

In CSL opportunities, you'll help community-based organizations solve local challenges.

Example:

In GEOG 330 — Water Changes Everything, students worked on promoting public awareness of the water systems in the City of North Vancouver and the importance of making sustainable choices when disposing of wastewater.

Co-op consists of alternating academic terms and work terms in a temporary full-time workplace related to your field of study.

Courses and programs with a co-op option include Outdoor Recreation Management and Tourism Management.

Internships are a structured work experience opportunity. They can happen in the middle of your program or just before graduation.

Examples:

BADM 340 and BADM 440 — Internship experiences are designed to provide a period (120 hours) of part-time, productive employment for students to work within industry, non-profit organizations or government agencies.

Explore career interests in kinesiology, rehabilitation, health sciences, coaching, health promotion, fitness and health in special populations, etc., while identifying and cultivating skills associated with the tasks presented in your placements.

Examples:

• Kinesiology: KINE 397 - BKIN Field Studies I 
• Rehabilitation Assistant: RADP 190 - Practicum: Fieldwork I

In a practicum or clinical placement, you'll practice specific skills related to a profession (Paralegal, Music Therapy, Early Childhood Care and Education) in both paid and unpaid capacities. 

At CapU, programs with practicums or clinical placement options include: 

• Applied Behaviour Analysis (Autism)
• Arts & Entertainment Management
• Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication
• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Education Assistant Certificate
• Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Global Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Health Care Assistant Certificate
• Legal Studies
• Motion Picture Arts
• Music Therapy
• Rehabilitation Assistant Diploma
• Diploma in Tourism Management International
• And more!

Work experience placements are paid, full-time work opportunities for a maximum of 2 terms.

At CapU, courses and programs with work experience options include:

• BADM 345 - Business Work Experience I
• BADM 445 - Business Work Experience II

Work experience where you support other students. This could be as a peer helper or student ambassador, etc.

Research assistantships are where you’re hired by a school to work on research projects with faculty or departments.

A post-credential internship happens after coursework and before graduation. Internships can be of any length, but are typically four, eight, or 12 months long.

Co-curricular CSL happens outside of class. It gives you the opportunity to help your community and a chance to reflect.

Volunteering builds skills while helping businesses that may not be able to afford full-time employees.

Work study is a way for you to strengthen your skills while earning money alongside your program. These positions are paid for with financial aid.

Courses and programs with an externship option include Music Therapy.

Short-term work experience such as job shadowing. This gives you chance to see how different companies operate and build their network.

For example, in MT 330 - Clinical Skills, Music Therapy students take field trips to clinical settings to observe music therapists working with the elderly.

Student jobs on campus including summer jobs, or work as library assistants, etc.

A great way to gain experience is by becoming a student representative on a Faculty and Senate sub-committee, or by being elected to the University Senate or Board of Governors.

The Capilano Students' Union (CSU) offers many opportunities to build leadership experience through student government positions. Elections for CSU positions are held every Fall term.