Let’s Talk Teaching: Meet Nadine Gerhardt

Every year, the Student Internship Program (SIP) gives students the opportunity to supplement their in-class studies with work-integrated learning experiences.

Over the course of their undergraduate degrees, SIP students are given the chance to integrate paid work experience for 4, 8, 12 or 16 months into their studies. This experiential learning helps prepare students for careers in research, industry, and more by providing opportunities to bolster both their hands-on skills and their resumes. 

Over the past 18 months, for students engaged in work-integrated learning through SIP, the challenges of the first work placement of their scientific careers were accentuated by COVID-19—and none of those students felt them more than those in the medical field. New psychology graduate Reihaneh Abtahi (’21 BSc) was one such student that faced those challenges head on.

The incredible SIP program—and the opportunities for students that it creates—would not be possible without the staff behind it, including Nadine Gerhardt, Student Internship Program advisor. Meet Nadine, and hear from her on supporting student growth,

What do you love about your field?

I support students as they sign up for and find placements in the Science Internship Program. I love helping students find internships, and I am always so happy when I hear they have been hired into a full-time position after graduation with the company where they completed their internship.

What should students who are interested in this topic know?

The internship is a great way to explore what you want to do after graduation. It also helps bridge the course work you do in class with a real-world work environment.

Tell me about your passion for teaching. What inspires you?

Having students excited to be working and doing what they love in university and applying it to an internship.

What is one thing that people would be surprised to know about you?

I am Dene and my band is from Fort Simpson.

Favourite thing about working at the Faculty of Science?

I love how excited our students are about science. They are always so eager to learn and open to so many possibilities—it’s truly inspirational.

Curious to learn more? Find more information on teaching and learning in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Science.