Career Blog
How do you gain work experience that is relevant to your program of study? Applying for the CO-OP Program is a very common answer that I’ve heard from many people. However, if you were not admitted to the CO-OP Program for some reason, or you are still on the waiting list, do not worry! There are many routes that can lead to success. Besides the CO-OP Program, there are other programs and internship opportunities that allow you to gain relevant work experience during your studies.
Connexions Program
This program is open to students who have completed the common core courses in the first two years of their program. In previous years, students had the opportunity to work at organizations such as Export Development Canada (EDC), Investors Group, Welch Group Consulting, Canada Post Corporation, and many more. These internships offered by the participating organizations are unpaid.
Each work term is one semester-long (12 weeks). Students are required to work a minimum of seven hours per week. By completing the Connexions Program, students will receive 3 ADM units for one of the fourth-year ADM elective courses (ADM 4904). Students are allowed to complete the program a second time with a different organization as another ADM elective course (ADM 4905).
Work-study Program
The Work-study Program is open to all students who are taking at least three courses a semester. This program provides the opportunity for all students to work on-campus part time during the school year and full time during the summer. There is a variety of positions available across different faculties and services at the University of Ottawa such as customer service officer, assistant project officer, and junior information officer.
Telfer BCom Internship Program
This program is open to second- and third-year students who have completed the common core courses in the first two years of their program. Students will have the opportunity to gain work experience at different organizations such as the Department of National Defence (DND), Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). These organizations offer paid internship opportunities.
The work terms are 8-month long and, depending on the employer, may be split over two summers. By successfully completing the Telfer BCom Internship Program, students will receive 3 ADM units for one of the fourth-year ADM elective courses (ADM 4903).
Job postings
If you still could not find a position that matches your interest, check out the job postings on the Career Centre website! There are current positions available for all business students posted all year long. But be sure you keep an eye on the application deadlines.
Have you heard about the Connexions Internship Program? It is an unpaid internship program that allows you to gain experience. This program is an alternative for all students who want to gain experience but who are not enrolled in CO-OP or in the BCom Internship Program. Connexions internships are unpaid, and instead of compensation you will receive three credits, which is equivalent to one of your program courses.
Before discussing it further, let’s look at the Program’s eligibility criteria. As mentioned above, this program is available to any student who is not part of an internship program. Simply put, one of the prerequisites for joining Connexions is not to be enrolled in the CO-OP program or in the BCom Internship Program. Students must also have completed all their common core courses, i.e. their first and second-year courses (although in some specializations, second-year courses may be considered outside the common core). There are, of course, other eligibility criteria such as a minimum CGPA and many others.
That is why you are invited to attend an information session. The information session is mandatory if you are considering this internship program. After the session, you can proceed to the next step: the application process.
Once you are accepted, you can attend the networking activity with all employers affiliated with the program. At this stage, do not get stressed, because employers are looking for a skilled workforce (i.e. you) as much as you are looking for experience. The program includes a large number of employers who are all of interest, whether it is a non-profit enterprise, a start-up, or even a well-established company. To give you an idea, last year's employers included Welchgroup Consulting, the US Embassy, BDO Canada, the City of Ottawa and many others. Employers offer a variety of positions, for example, a finance internship or a marketing internship so there is something for everyone.
Finally, after the networking activity, you can start applying, and, of course, when you receive your internship offer, your Connexions experience begins!
In conclusion, the Connexions Program creates a link between an employer and a student. Both parties are looking for something that only the other party can offer. Beyond compensation, there is much to gain, namely experience, contacts, and above work ethics.