Record-setting summer for student job placements
Posted: July 18, 2017 6:00 a.m.
Students Clarissa Hoostie (l) and Crystal Norris are a part of the Full Circle Summer Student Internship program at the Aboriginal Career Centre. Photo by Rae Graham - U of R Photography
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There’s no such thing as a summer slowdown at the University of Regina’s Career Centre.
Co-op and internship job placements are on pace to surpass last year’s numbers.
The Centre has placed a record 382 students in summer job positions. Overall for 2017, the numbers look good as well.
“Placements have been trending very well,” says Kevin Fiessel, Manager of the U of R’s Career Centre. “We are currently at 761 placements for 2017 versus 772 in 2016. We still have about six more weeks to place student for the fall, so we should go above last year’s placement numbers.”
Students are being placed in a variety of job sectors in Saskatchewan and across Canada.
“We have a number of computer science and software systems engineering students working at eHealth Saskatchewan this summer,” says Fiessel. “We also have an actuarial intern student working at Manulife in Toronto. McCain Foods in Carberry, Manitoba, also hired one of our computer science students. AGT Foods in Regina has employed a marketing student for the summer as well.”
Students Clarissa Hoostie and Crystal Norris are a part of the Full Circle Summer Student Internship program at the Aboriginal Career Centre.
Norris is entering her fourth year with the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program.
“Working with the Aboriginal Student Centre has helped me in terms of gaining transferable skills related to my career goals and objectives – public speaking, event planning and assisting students are all important in teaching,” says Norris.
The job placements also mean much-needed income for students.
“Gaining this employment experience has been valuable because not only am I able to earn an income over the summer months, I am also able to work in the comfort of my own school while gaining new work experience. So far things have been great,” says Hoostie.
The U of R has a long record of success helping students gain meaningful workplace experience while earning their degrees. The University established the first co-operative education program in Western Canada in 1969.
“Employers love the programs,” says Fiessel. “They often speak of the ‘new energy’ co-op and interns bring to the workplace. In general, employers love having students around for many reasons, including transfer of knowledge and succession planning.”
In return, students are building a solid foundation for success following graduation.
“Given the tighter labour market and increasing costs for students, there is no greater value these days than having a great job upon graduation. The Co-op and Internship program gives students the best chance at landing a job in their chosen field after University,” says Fiessel.
Students considering working this fall are encouraged to visit the Career Centre located in room, 163 in the Riddell Centre. Starting in September, applications will be accepted for the January work term.
Are you looking to take a break from studies and gain valuable work experience? Contact the Career Centre here.
Are you an employer? There are students available for employment. Please visit here for details.
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