Experiential Learning
Learning by doing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to prepare for life after graduation.
Can you offer experiential learning opportunities to the next generation?
Experiential learning happens inside and outside of the classroom
Students connect theory to practice through internships, volunteering or industry engagement to develop 21st century skills and broaden their professional network. From joining student groups to serving within community organizations, our students seek experiences in self-discovery, career exploration and professional development.
By creating a new experiential learning opportunity for a Concordia student, you will access the next generation of talent that can provide a fresh perspective to invigorate your organization. Engaging in experiential learning activities is a great way to change lives and give back to your alma mater! Below are some ways to get started today.
Institute of Co-operative Education
Partner with the Institute for Co-operative Education to help your organization tap into the leaders of tomorrow, while contributing to the success of Concordia and its students.
Complementing the classic Co-op model of three internships alternating with studies, the Institute offers three additional offerings: WIE-CLE (women interns in engineering and computer science, supplemented by a mentorship offering), ACE (one 12-16 month intensive internship), Grad Co-op (graduate level experience), and C.Edge (a flexible single-internship offering).
Beat the Odds (BTO)
Beat the Odds (BTO) is an inclusive internship program that levels the playing field for students who face a variety of challenges: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, being a parent, having a disability, being in financial need, coping as an international student or refugee and more.
Students in equity-seeking groups benefit the most from a paid professional experience in their field of study. Through BTO, they broaden their professional network, gain essential employability skills and access support and mentorship opportunities to better prepare them for life after graduation.
By hiring a student, you will strengthen your organization’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion while providing guidance and leadership as the student builds their self-confidence and discovers their strengths. This helps remove barriers to employment and professional advancement for the students who need it the most.
Contact us to welcome a BTO intern into your world: beattheodds@concordia.ca
Canada Comeback Challenge (C3)
Coach a team of students through an industry challenge.
The Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) offers industry challenges to teams of two to eight students over eight weeks in the fall with a second round in the winter term. Students tackle real-world problems facing employers in Canada’s public, private, and non-profit sectors and compete for a chance to pitch their ideas to an esteemed panel of judges. Learn more about C3.
This role is for you if you’re looking for a professional development opportunity where you can offer expertise in analyzing an industry problem and advise students in developing a solution. A $500 honorarium will be awarded at the end of the term.
Contact the Experiential Learning Office by October 8, 2021 if you’d like to coach a team: experiential.learning@concordia.ca
Fall challenges begin on October 18, 2021. Winter dates will be confirmed soon.
Riipen
Riipen is an online matchmaking platform that has been connecting industry to students and faculty at Concordia University since 2018. Riipen allows you to crowdsource ideas for one of your organizational projects or processes and to search for top talent to join your team.
Here’s how it works:
- Partner with an instructor to have students work on your project for a classroom assignment.
- Post an open challenge online for students to work independently or in self-formed groups. This could be a useful prescreening activity to help you select the right candidate for your organization.
- Post a virtual internship opportunity for students with for-credit internship degree requirements.
Whether you work with students through a virtual internship, as part of a class or by creating a challenge, you can collaborate with talented students on concrete projects.
Visit the employer introduction page for more information.
Contact the Experiential Learning Office to get started: experiential.learning@concordia.ca
Concordia Alumni Connect
Mentoring is a powerful professional development skill that both mentees and mentors can leverage to progress in their careers.
Whether your motivation is to refine your own leadership skills, to share industry or organizational knowledge, or to help shape and develop the next generation, mentoring is a valuable and rewarding experience.
Join over 650 other alumni and become a mentor on Concordia Alumni Connect, our global alumni mentoring and networking platform.
Contact the Experiential Learning Office: experiential.learning@concordia.ca
Visit the Experiential Learning web site for more information.