Work-Integrated Learning
Career Readiness through experiential learning
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a type of curricular experiential education that intentionally merges academic learning and practical experiences through structured partnerships between academic institutions, external partners (industry or community) and students. Work-Integrated Learning can occur at the course or program level and cultivates skills and competencies essential for career readiness. These experiences may be paid or unpaid. It is important to note that WIL is an umbrella term and encompasses many different types of learning, each with their own distinct intentions and learning outcomes.
Types of Work-Integrated Learning
Community-Service Learning
Community Service-Learning (CSL) offers students the opportunity to be placed with a not-for-profit community partner as part of their studies, working in collaboration with the organization to drive positive change. CSL students critically reflect on their community experiences, deepening their engagement with academic learning. Notably, while CSL exists under the WIL umbrella, the nature of “work” in this experiential learning context is unique whereby students contribute meaningfully within the community and enrich their capabilities for participating in the socio-political landscape of their communities.
Co-operative Education
Includes alternating or internship models. For alternating models, students alternate academic terms and paid work terms, while for internships models, students complete several co-op work terms back-to-back. In both models, work terms provide experience in a workplace setting related to the student’s field of study.
Mandatory Clinical Placement
Work experience completed under the supervision of a registered or licensed professional (e.g. preceptor) in any discipline that requires practice-based work experience for professional licensure or certification. Practicals are generally unpaid and given the supervised setting, students do not typically have their own workload/caseload.
Field Placement
Students complete an intensive part-time/short-term hands-on experience in a setting relevant to their study. Field placements may not require supervision of a registered or licensed professional and the completed work experience hours are not required for professional certification.
Internship
Consists of one discipline specific (typically full-time), supervised, structured, paid or unpaid practice placement. Internships may occur in the middle of an academic program or after all academic coursework has been completed and prior to graduation. Some internship programs are not academically tied.
Benefits
- Navigate professional and/or community environments
- Work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Apply theoretical knowledge outside of the classroom
- Enhance adaptability and readiness for workforce
- Problem solve productively in teams
- Develop outcomes related to: critical thinking, creativity, life-long learning, civic engagement, agency and employability
Recognition + Compensation
Depending on the opportunity, there are different ways in which students can be recognized or compensated for their learning. Students may or may not receive a transcript notation, credit towards a certificate or academic credit for an experience. With respect to compensation, experiences may be paid or unpaid.