Student Opportunities

The following LIMITED TIME opportunities have been shared through the weekly emails: 

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Nokia - Future Tech Program FOR GRADE 11 students

Future Tech is a paid summer internship program designed for Grade 11 students who are interested in exploring careers in technology and engineering. The program provides students with early exposure to the workplace, hands-on learning, mentorship from industry professionals, and an opportunity to build foundational skills that support future education and career pathways. Internship opportunities are offered in onsite, hybrid, and remote formats, depending on role and location.   Applications are due no later than Monday, February 16th.

Students are required to follow the below steps to apply: 

• Step 1) Please carefully review the details, requirements, and instructions: Link to see details and instructions 

• Step 2) If student is interested and eligible, they may submit their application using this link: Link to apply
  
  

Inquiries related to the Future Tech Program must be directed to the program inbox at Future.Tech@nokia.com 

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Horatio Alger Scholarship FOR GRADE 11 students

The Horatio Alger Association of Canada  offers 150+ scholarships of up to $25,000. 

Applications are due by March 31, 2026.  Additional information can be found on their Scholarship page.  Please do not hesitate to reach out at canadascholarships@horatioalger.ca with any questions about the application process.

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Stantec and the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation Scholarship

Stantec and the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation have partnered to provide four $5,000 awards to graduating OCDSB students entering a STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, or math) post-secondary program at the college or university level. This award aims to provide financial support to students from historically underrepresented groups, including racialized individuals, Indigenous peoples, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, women, and persons with disabilities. Applicants will also be considered who are from military families, who face economic barriers in pursuing post-secondary education, or who are the first members of their family to attend post-secondary studies.  

There are four awards valued at $5,000 each. In addition to the financial award, recipients will be invited to attend an Ottawa Senators hockey game in April with a guest of their choosing.

The application period is now open with a deadline of March 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.  

More information about the award can be found on the Education Foundation of Ottawa's website including the Laserfiche application form that students can access using their OCDSB email account and password. 

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Youth Employment Services (YES) - This Way ONward (TWO) Program

The Youth Employment Services (YES) is offering a This Way ONward (TWO) Program, offered in partnership with Old Navy for 2026.  This program provides youth ages 16–24 with free virtual job readiness training, helping them develop essential retail skills and pursue meaningful employment.

February Workshop Schedule (Virtual | 4:00–5:00 PM):

• February 2: Welcome Session

• February 3: Customer Service and Sales Skills

• February 4: Conflict Resolution

• February 5: Résumé and LinkedIn

• February 6: Interview Skills

Participants receive pre-employment training, ongoing career coaching, and job search support. Graduates of the program are eligible to be referred to seasonal and Brand Associate positions at various Old Navy locations across Ontario, and will also gain access to bonus workshops and guest speakers throughout the year.  The goal of the program is to help youth build skills and confidence through real-world work experience.

If you are able to attend all sessions, please apply using the link below 

Link to Online Application: Youth Employment Services YES - This Way ONward (TWO) 2026 Application – Fill out form

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One Week Mini-Course Program at Carleton U & Ottawa U

Mini Courses Program takes place this year from May 4 - 8 and is open for students in Grade 8 - Grade 11. Programming is available to view on the website at Mini Courses Program.  The cost is $200 + tax.

Each course runs five hours a day, Monday through Friday. Courses start at 9 AM and end at 3 PM, with one hour for lunch. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the general information on the website, including the FAQ. The registration period will run from January 19th to February 17th. Students are encouraged to select up to 10 mini-courses of interest. Please review course descriptions carefully prior to submitting your final choices as some are intended for specific grades only. Results of the initial random placement process will be available February 20th 2024 .    An orientation and information session will be held at each participating university on Sunday, May 3rd.  All orientation information will be posted on the Mini Courses Program website in April and will be emailed to the student email address indicated in the registration. 

Students who attend the Mini-Course program are responsible to make up any work that they miss at school.

The OCDSB is not participating in the mini-course program, so students need to sign up independently.   Here are the instructions for students who would like to participate:

• Register online using https://www.minic.ca/register/heocymkQgol6bkU/9QU1FZ7rnJSV.  This includes selecting courses and providing payment

• Upon registration, the "approval process" as required by the University will be done centrally.  Please note that we are not vetting or checking for suitability, but approving on a first-come, first served basis for the first 1000 registrants.

• Advise Canterbury High School of your registration into the Mini-course programs for attendance tracking.

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Select Aviation College

Select Aviation College invites high school students and their parent(s) to come explore our facilities and College!

When: Saturday, February 14 from 1 - 4 PM

Where: Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport - 1717 Arthur-Fecteau Street, Gatineau, Quebec

Come meet our team, talk to our student pilots, discover our modern facilities, and see our planes and helicopters up close

Sign up for free here!

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Winterlude - After Slide Evening

When: February 6 & 7 from 6 - 10 PM

Where: Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau

As part of the 48th edition of Winterlude (January 30 to February 16, 2026), we are proud to present the very first edition of the After Slide Evenings, a free event tailored for teens aged 13 to 17. Organized in collaboration with Igloofest and Commission jeunesse de Gatineau, these parties will offer a festive and safe winter atmosphere with an energizing vibe that appeals to young people.

Program Highlights (FREE)

• DJ performances 

• Illuminated Ferris wheel 

• Snow slides 

• 360° camera 

• Unlimited coffee and hot chocolate (Tim Hortons) 

• Hot soup (AdoGatineau)

Bonus:

• Exclusive souvenirs for the first 200 participants

• A retro-themed winter costume contest with prizes up for grabs

These evenings are designed to give teens their own way of enjoying the Winterlude festival, fostering a new tradition centred around youth.

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Canterbury High School - Upcoming Travel Opportunity in the Social Science Department for March Break 2027.

Are you interested in seeing the Canadian Battlefields sites from World War 1 and World War 2 in France and Belgium? Starting with a 2 day stop in Paris, and finishing with a 3 day stop in London, England, we visit some of the most well-known places you’ve learned about in your history classes– Vimy Ridge, Somme, Ypres, Juno Beach-  and we get an up close look at monuments to Canada’s role in both these wars in the 20th Century.

If you’re interested, please see Mr. Saikaley in the Social Science office and / or Room 205. We are recruiting now until we fill our available spaces.

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Young at Art 2026

The 2026 Young at Art application is now available here: ottawa.ca/youngatart. The deadline for artwork submission is Thursday, March 26th,  2026, at 1 p.m.  

What’s new in Young at Art 2026? 

1. New art medium category: Film and video  

2. More artworks on display: Two runners-up will be selected in each art category to expand this year’s exhibition and increase opportunities for youth artists. 

3. Post-secondary Young at Art bursary (senior category): For the first time, senior participants (ages 16 to 19) who provide proof of enrollment in a post-secondary Creative Arts program (visual, media, design, etc.) will be eligible for a $500 bursary. The award will be given to the highest-scoring eligible senior artist, based on the selection committee’s evaluation. This bursary can be awarded alongside other awards, offering additional support to young artists as they advance their artistic journey.  

Timeline and location  

Works selected for Young at Art are displayed for exhibition in a community gallery in the spring. Once the exhibition is open, there will be a vernissage at the gallery to celebrate the artworks and talented young visual artists.

• Deadline to submit: Thursday, March 26, 2026, 1 pm 

• Selection committee meeting: April 2026 

• Exhibition: May 14 to June 8, 2026 

• Vernissage: Thursday, May 28, 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 pm 

• Location: Shenkman Arts Centre, Salons A and B of Trinity Art Gallery  

• Artwork pickup: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 4:30 to 6 pm at the Shenkman Arts Centre 

Follow the Young at Art Instagram account for updates on the 2026 program. Award-winning artworks will be featured on the account beginning in June.  

Applicants will be notified in mid-April if they are a selected artist.  

If you have any questions, please contact YAAEH@ottawa.ca. 

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YMCA - SWSE Program (Summer Work Student Exchange Program)

The YMCA - SWSE just opened applications for Summer 2026! 

The Summer Work Student Exchange is a 6-week national exchange that allows youth ages 16 - 17  to get work experience, explore a different province, and improve their second official language. The cost of the program is $200.  Students stay with a family in the province they go to. Similarly, the student’s family is matched with a youth that will come to Ottawa and stay with them. During the 6 weeks of the program, students work at a not-for-profit where they will be paid (minimum wage). During the weekend and some weekday evenings, the youth will do group activities with the local coordinator to explore their new community and get to know other exchange students. 

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Her Path Project 

Her Path Project is a student-led virtual mentorship program that connects university and college students with girls aged 13–18 who are interested in STEM, healthcare, and related fields. Our goal is to help girls work toward their education and academic growth by connecting them with mentors who can share insight, experience and practical advice about pursuing studies and careers in science, medicine and health-related fields.  Founded in Ottawa, Her Path Project is run by university students who are passionate about helping younger students reach their educational goals and explore future opportunities in STEM and healthcare.   

How it Works: Girls ages 13-18 complete a short mentee sign-up form and each mentee is matched with a mentor studying in a related field.   Mentor and Mentees meet once or twice per month (online ) to discuss: 

• Study tips and academic planning 

• Choosing university programs or courses 

• Career paths in STEM and healthcare 

• Goal setting, organization and motivation.   

Her Path Project helps girls move from interest to action by providing real conversations, relatable mentors and academic guidance.   The program is completely free, virtual, and designed to be flexible around students’ schedules.

Mentee Sign-up: https://forms.gle/9gaeJgFzdwGAuKCh8

Questions: herpathproject.info@gmail.com

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Ontario Youth Orchestra Applications (for June - August 2026)

Program Dates: Mid-June to Early August 2026

Location: Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo Campus

Important Dates

October 1: Applications Open

February 1: Auditions Due

March: Orchestra Announced

Application Fee Schedule

Regular ($75) October 2nd – November 30th, 2025

Final Fee ($100) December 1st, 2025 – February 1st, 2026

Find more information and apply here

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NROC RC - The Social Spot 

A FREE neuro-affirming social skills group for teens in Grades 9 - 12 to learn and practice skills in navigating social situations with confidence.  

See poster below!

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Enriched Support Program (ESP) at Carleton University

ESP is a program which assists students who have the academic potential to succeed in a university setting, though whose grades are not necessarily reflective of this. The program offers various supports such as access to mentors, student advisors, academic coaching, and facilitated workshops, in order to assist students in achieving their academic potential.

Oftentimes, ESP students are those whose grades do not meet the requirements to gain initial admission into an undergraduate degree program. By completing a year in ESP, students are given the chance to complete credits that will count towards a degree program and later apply to gain admission into that program. Feel free to explore here for more information about our program.

Follow @carleton.esp on Instagram!

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Bridge to Campus

Bridge to Campus  is a student-led, non-profit organization that helps high school students across Canada build connections with university students, as they prepare for the transition to post-secondary education. Ever since we launched the organization, we have been able to pair mentees from Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and beyond with mentors who share personalized advice on applications, scholarships, campus life, and career pathways.

Our Services (All free of charge)

1. 1-on-1 Mentorship: Students are paired with a university mentor who provides tailored guidance and support on university applications, admission essays and ask any questions that they may have. This year, our mentors will be from McGill University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo and Queen's University. This service is completely online, and meetings are conducted through platforms such as Zoom. Sign up before the September 22nd deadline.

2. Themed Webinars: Interactive panels with current university students covering topics such as university applications, choosing the right program, financial aid, dorm selection and more.

3. Essay Review Service: Online essay review service where your students have the opportunity to submit their scholarship essay to be peer-reviewed by our pool of mentors across the university students we work with.

We understand the importance of protecting students’ privacy and ensuring safe online interactions, so we have created a Privacy Policy, which outlines the measures we take to safeguard high school students participating in our services. This includes strict guidelines for mentor–mentee communication, protocols to protect student information, as well as procedures to be in place in case of mistreatment.

Learn more about the organization at www.bridgetocampus.net. 

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YMCA -YWCA - Newcomer Youth Leadership Development Program

The YMCA-YWCA Newcomer Youth Leadership Development program is looking for Youth aged 13-25 -  especially youth who have permanent resident, refugee or CUAET* status .

They hold events, activities, workshops and sessions for youth. Click here for more information.