When thinking about university options, many teens and parents are also thinking ahead to career options. A recent study prepared by Academica Group and commissioned by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario seems to point to work-integrated learning as a trend that is helping post-secondary students respond to the changing labour market.
Whether it’s co-operative education, internships or community-service learning, incorporating experiential education into degree programs has benefits for some students–and their future employers. While some of the larger co-op programs are quite well known, most universities offer one or more of these options and are worth asking about, if this is of interest. Perhaps unfamiliar to you, but worth checking out, is the relatively recent “community-service learning”, which involves students doing related work, that benefits a community organization, as part of an academic course.
Even if “work-integrated learning” is not ultimately destined to be a part of your student’s formal program, summer, part-time and volunteer work can also be very helpful to your teen. These types of experiences not only allow students to earn money but to test out a fit with an area of work they’re considering. They are also invaluable opportunities for students to connect with interesting people and learn about and demonstrate skills and interests needed in their futures.
For more information about work-integrated learning and the study findings, read the report here.
