“One of the most important things I've learned about my work term as an Undergraduate Psychology Intern at Millard Health, is what it actually means to be a Psychologist. Entering my work term, I was naive; however, after a few months, I was pleasantly surprised with the amount I had learned about what it takes. The purpose of my work term is to gain relevant experience in the field of psychology, and I cannot begin to express how much I have learned and experienced over the past 9 months. With the wealth of opportunities for skill development available at Millard Health, I have noticed a significant improvement in my communication, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

The connections I have made with others in my field of interest are invaluable. I have no doubt the relationships I have built at Millard Health will carry well past the end of my work term. I would advise new AWE students entering a position like mine to network. You work alongside professionals in the field you want to pursue, so don't be afraid to ask questions and build those connections. I have met so many fantastic people throughout my work term and I will forever be grateful for the knowledge they have passed down to me.

I have no hesitation in recommending the AWE Program and this internship. I have learned so many practical skills and valuable lessons that I wouldn't have learned in the classroom. So, if you are interested at all, I would 100% recommend applying to AWE! You won't regret it.”

Ethan is a fourth year Honors psychology student. In the future, Ethan hopes to enter a graduate degree in Clinical Psychology, where he can receive training in Psychological Assessment. In his free time, Ethan enjoys spending time with his family (which includes 17 animals on his farm), playing sports and traveling.

“The most valuable aspect I learned, and I am continuing to experience, is the transferable skills that I have been developing and polishing during my work term. My time and project management skills have evolved dramatically throughout the last couple months. I am in a supportive environment, with a fantastic team, that guides me along the way in my projects and tasks. I find that my interpersonal skills, especially with my communication skills, have been improving as well. I believe these skills will be valuable wherever I go, such as my future career and academic paths. 

One thing I would like to share to upcoming AWE students is that you have so many valuable skills and experiences to bring to the table. At first, it may seem intimidating to write and brush up a cover letter and resume, and then apply for jobs and do interviews. However, I believe that student work opportunities are amazing as they provide so much insight to what type of person you are, especially in the workforce.”

Yoojin is in her fourth year of Psychology through the Faculty of Arts. She is passionate about community based practices that uplift and support people. She will be going forward in her degree by changing her minor to Human Ecology with a special focus on family dynamics. She will be pursuing more community service learning courses to further enrich her experience in university. Otherwise in her free time, she likes to rollerblade in the River Valley.

“My experience at Millard Health has been eye-opening and filled with many opportunities for growth, both on an academic and personal level. I am responsible for administering and scoring psychometric tests, facilitating biofeedback relaxation services and leading group relaxation classes. I have worked with a variety of clients on different programs, such as Traumatic and Cumulative Psychological Injury, post-COVID, persistent pain and Brain Injury. I have also had the opportunity to participate in and co-facilitate psychotherapy groups. This internship has helped bridge the gap between learning in an academic setting and in a practical, hands-on setting. It has provided valuable insight into workplace injuries and a future career in clinical or counselling psychology.

One of the most challenging aspects of my work experience has been navigating more difficult interactions with clients. Clients may come in with different backgrounds, exposure to trauma, emotional reactions and tolerance levels. I have learned to set internal and emotional boundaries when meeting with clients, as well as practicing self-care and seeking support to debrief with my supervising psychologist. This is a challenge that I am continuously working on as I am developing different skills over time with increased exposure to interacting with various clients each day at work.”

Vivian is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree in honours psychology. She is a volunteer for the non-profit organization Mental Health Copilots. In her free time, Vivian enjoys crocheting and working out.

“I consider myself very lucky to secure an AWE work term as an Associate Probation Officer with the Government of Alberta. My ambitions are oriented toward psychotherapy work, and the roles in my internship match those of my career goals: clientele work, independent time management, case conferencing, collaborating with stakeholders and even administering the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy! Probation Officers are unique from counselors because we must respond to client needs as well as monitor compliance with a client's Court Order.

My time as a probation officer has included countless lessons and the one that I want to carry with me for the rest of my career life is to '”choose empathy before sympathy". I believe that people need a non-judgmental listener and objective insights with a touch of human connection for them to be open to change. I have a long way to go before mastering motivational interviewing, but there is no better place for me to start than where I am right now.

I would like to thank my supervisor, manager and coworkers for my progress in my professional career. I would also like to thank the AWE team for this amazing opportunity and my family for my well being.”

Lucille is studying Psychology through the UofA's Arts Honors Program. Her research project is focused on psycholinguistics: cross linguistic influence. Lucille enjoys reading, fine art, and some coffee.

“My AWE position as a Planning Work Experience Student with the City of Edmonton's Development Services Branch has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about my career interests and values. This role ensures that residential greenfield development permits are in compliance with the City of Edmonton's applicable zoning regulations. This experience has taught me much about urban planning, urban design and housing and has also provided me with the opportunity to apply and practice the relevant classroom knowledge and skills I've obtained over the years. 

The most important thing I've learned from my work experience is that the role of a Planner includes numerous different functions within multiple different sectors and that there's an urban planning role for anyone who enjoys making cities and communities the nexus of culture, health, inclusivity, vibrancy, energy efficiency and climate resiliency.”

Tahj is a 4th year Bachelor of Arts Co-op degree student pursuing a major in human geography and a minor in political science. He is passionate about learning and uplifting innovative strategies on how to incorporate practical sustainability practices into the development process to support the development of vibrant, inclusive, livable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient neighbourhoods. In his free time, Tahj likes exploring the River Valley and Ravine System, as well as the many other different paths, edges, districts, nodes and landmarks of Edmonton. 

“My work term with PrairiesCan has been challenging yet exciting and I am pleased to see the ways in which the work suits me. Much of my work has involved communicating my research with my team members on a variety of topics, such as Canada's clean energy investment efforts, inclusive economic growth in the Prairies and decarbonization of Prairie infrastructure. As someone whose passion lies with climate-related politics and economic development, the work in this department fits my passions perfectly. Even better, my team members are all very kind people who value inclusivity and accessibility in their communication and work styles. 

For anyone going on a work term with AWE, my advice would be to take advantage of the support systems you have. Your Work Experience Coordinator can help you to advocate for yourself in the workplace, which is especially important as you deserve to work in a setting that values your contributions while encouraging your growth. I also suggest that you go into the work with curiosity and enthusiasm; even if you find the work challenging, that enthusiasm will help you to succeed.”

Daria is in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science and a minor in philosophy. She has a passion for sustainable economic development and diversification, particularly in rural prairie communities like her hometown of Innisfail. When not studying or working, she can be found with her beloved cat Minion or playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends.

"My co-op position was at Elk Island Public Schools as an Urban Planning Assistant.  This job has provided me with the opportunity to work in multiple different sectors of planning with a variety of responsibilities, such as development permit review, data analysis, contract writing and public engagement events. I would highly recommend working for a school board to AWE students who like a challenge and are looking to work on a variety of projects to improve their skill set!"

Shaylin is in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double major in Urban Planning and Political Science. She is looking forward to traveling following graduation and exploring different urban design features around the world.    

“When I first accepted the offer to work with RBC, I assumed it was the start of something I would look back upon as ‘my short stint in banking’. I was an international student without relevant work experience entering a rather technical field in a rather multifaceted role. And then I went to my first day of work.

I work as a Banking Advisor with the Royal Bank of Canada. I joined the team with absolutely no background in finance or economics, worried that I was bringing nothing to the table. My role called for providing financial, credit and investment advice to clients hailing from various parts of society, with various goals, abilities, constraints and risk appetites. Not to mention I had immigrated barely two years prior, with no knowledge of the Canadian economy at all. It was a delight and a relief to find out that the RBC student co-op position came equipped with not just a very comprehensive job-specific training segment, but also career-coaching sessions, volunteering opportunities, optional complementary training, and one-on-one mentorship. 

Quite early in the internship, I started to actively pursue a job in finance as a career goal, and the feeling of being disconnected from my degree never encroached my mind. As I started performing my duties after active training for the first two months, I realized that I was bringing something to the table that could complement the technical training– my attitude, knowledge and skills that I learned throughout the course of my degree. This is something I want to emphasize to prospective AWE students: the beauty of an Arts degree is the transferable skills that come with it. In the end, we bring a fresh perspective, especially to roles that may not be considered traditional for us. The attitude you bring can’t be coached, so don’t be afraid to use that as a major strength in your applications.”

Aakanksha is currently in her final year of her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Psychology and Linguistics. She splits her time between school and her work as a Banking Advisor (intern) with RBC Royal Bank.

Read more about Aakanksha's experience working in a position unrelated to her study here. 

"Working at BSEC has been a very enlightening and positive experience, albeit somewhat of a challenge! Being responsible for student intake interviews, as well as compiling documents from their past psychological and schooling histories, I am given the unique opportunity to support folks with varying levels of trauma and disability within an educational scope. This has provided detailed insight into both how devastating the effects of trauma and disability can be, yet how amazingly resilient these young people truly are. Additionally, I am responsible for supporting the Registered Psychologist in creating assessment reports, which has allowed me to get a firsthand look into the way folks are diagnosed, and what those diagnoses look like in the real world. It has been a great space to sharpen my observation skills, as well as to explore the idea of diversity in symptom presentation. 

As an after degree student, I have collected some work and life experiences that have assisted me in this internship. My advice to new AWE students – particularly to those who are entering the workforce for the very first time – is to make sure you understand the importance of boundaries. This means setting boundaries with yourself, as well as with those around you. The goal of this program is to allow you to gain hands-on experience and knowledge, which means you will make mistakes, you will sometimes need to take your time with things, and you will sometimes fail. Having good boundaries, such as understanding and standing by your mental and emotional limits, will allow you to feel out how much you can realistically take on. That way, when you do inevitably hit a bump, you can manage it with confidence and learn how to overcome adversity in manageable ways. Additionally, prioritizing tasks that help you reach the goals you set for the work term will allow you to get the most out of your experiences and set yourself up for success. Remember to take care of yourself, good luck, and remember: you got this!"

Tiffany is a second year after-degree student in Psychology, with her first degree being a Bachelor of Kinesiology. She loves moving her body, hanging out in nature, and figuring out how people tick.  

"Working as a City Planning Intern at Green Space Alliance has allowed me to experience various aspects of the planning industry ranging from design, community engagement, policy writing and development. One of the benefits of working in the private sector is that I have had the opportunity to work with a range of clients including smaller towns, private developers and the City of Edmonton. Being part of a team of seven planners, I have learned what it is like to work in a close-knit team and a fast-paced work environment. 

I would recommend to all new Arts Work Experience students to push themselves out of their comfort zones and embrace the feeling of being “out of their element”. The best thing that you can do during your work term is to try and learn as many new skills as possible. In my experience, the learning curve can be steep, but with time and an optimistic mindset, you will feel more capable and confident every day."

Mason is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban and Regional Planning, and a minor in Economics. She is currently working at Green Space Alliance as part of an 8 month internship program. Her interests lie in urban design, infill development and sustainable urbanism.

“Working with the Office of the Student Ombuds has given me invaluable insight into the Higher Education professional landscape. I have come to learn how important the Ombuds role is at the university, as our office aims to create a fair and just environment for everyone, and in particular, students. My job as an Undergraduate Ombuds Intern varies day to day– from working with students on appeals to co-presenting on conflict resolution. In addition, I have had the opportunity to work on numerous self-driven projects. The diverse range of experiences garnered from my work term has given me the opportunity to develop skills which will help shape my future studies, and eventually, my career. 

One of the most important things I have learned from my work term was how I can blend my own interests with my work, even if they aren't directly related. Although initially I wasn’t sure how my work at the Office of the Student Ombuds related to a future career in mental health, I quickly found that there were many opportunities to explore my interest within my work term. Additionally, as I progressed through my term, I found new interests which I wouldn’t have previously thought to explore – such as issues around fairness and approaching problems with a systematic approach. My take home message is to keep an open mind when searching for work terms–- even if a work placement doesn’t initially look like something that will match your current interests, you could be pleasantly surprised!” 

Andrew Schultz (he/him) is in his third year of studies with a major in Honors Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. He is interested in mental health and hopes to study Counselling Psychology in the future. In his free time, Andrew enjoys climbing, reading and spending time outdoors.

"One of the most important things I've learned during my placement with the City of Edmonton’s Planning Coordination team is not to be afraid to ask questions. There is so much to learn and it is okay not to know the answers to all the questions! The purpose of a work term is to learn and gain experience. Employers understand that you are a student, and they are always happy to provide the support and mentorship you need. This internship allowed me to observe how planning and municipal politics interact, and the important work planners undertake to build a vibrant and dynamic Edmonton.   

This work term exposed me to a wide range of different planning disciplines that are aimed at facilitating sustainable developments in a city that is soon expected to add an additional million residents. I hope this work term will provide me with a different perspective for when l return to school to complete my degree. Additionally, l hope this placement will better prepare me to join a profession that builds and shapes communities which touch people’s lives every day."

Ethan is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Planning and a minor in Political Science. He is also completing a certificate in Globalization and Governance and in Sustainability. In his spare time, Ethan enjoys spending time with his friends and family and exploring Edmonton.

"Through my work as a Student Economist on the Research and Analytics Team at PrairiesCan, I get to explore issues that matter to the provinces I’ve always called home. I’m able to use both my skills in economics to interpret and use data, and my skills in political science to consider intersectional identities when writing about the data’s implications in a way that non-expert decision makers can understand. Being in a position that has let me see what non-academic research looks like has changed my perspective on the value of my Honors degree and how I can use my research skills in the workforce.

The biggest struggle I’ve had this term has been figuring out the expectations for my work as a co-op student. I knew I was not going to be producing documents that would be sent to Justin Trudeau, but I wasn’t quite sure how much my contributions mattered or how much they would be used. Professional and vague language in job descriptions also didn’t help, but as I got more comfortable with my team I found out how much they truly value my opinion and my work. At my midterm review, I found out I was exceeding their expectations as they never had had a political science student before and really appreciated my different background. To avoid a stressful experience, my advice for new AWE students is to get comfortable with your work colleagues and don’t be afraid to speak up– even if it's to talk about the small things."

Jordan is finishing her 4th year in Honors Economics and Political Science with certificates in Social Science Research and Global Citizenship. In the future, she hopes to gain her masters in public policy research focusing on measuring intersectional impacts and to rejoin the public service.

"Working at PCL has allowed me to discover who I am as a person, thanks to the incredibly valuable connections I fostered with the team. I get to showcase, experiment and re-evaluate ideas based on my own perspective with a creative degree, while also gaining new skills with the help of others that can help me navigate across this ever-changing world. With that in mind, it makes me realize that my passion can be applied to a broad range of situations and that the work I put in transforms into a meaningful contribution for the community around me.

The most important takeaway from my work experience is to keep asking questions and to get clarity from others until you are confident to independently do the work you are assigned to do. When new projects develop, ideas tend to get tossed around while in the process of getting refined. This requires many exchanges of clear communication and feedback until it's polished. In the working world, you may end up getting involved in collaborating with people in different fields of expertise, so it's good to make sure that everyone, including yourself, is on the same boat! After all, the people you work with are more than happy to help you out as someone who's still learning to try new things– which is a feat you should already be proud of."

Victoria is a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student who is majoring in Music and minoring in Art & Design.

“My job involves connecting with international students in the Faculty of Arts and providing them with information, resources and opportunities. This is often accomplished through coaching sessions, which allow me to meet with students one-on-one and help to increase their awareness of the support available to them. I also plan events specifically targeted towards international students in the Faculty of Arts, and write a weekly newsletter to create buzz around upcoming events, opportunities and more! 

It is important that your values align with your workplace. My coworkers and I are similarly passionate about enhancing the student experience and making sure that students are supported during their academic journey. There was a disconnect between students and staff during the pandemic and we aim to mend that disbalance. Because my team and I share this passion to help students, we are able to collaborate smoothly and to support each other during our projects in order to meet our goal. 

It is important to expand your job search beyond your ideal work placement and that you consider all possibilities. When I first joined AWE, I was set on getting a work placement directly related to psychology. I wanted to work in a position that was related to my goal of becoming a counselor. However, I initially applied for this position on a whim because I loved the convenience of working on campus and being involved in the university buzz— even though I didn’t think I was qualified for the position. I was unsure of how this position would tie back into psychology at first. But since my work term began, I have realized how well my education has prepared me for this role. The main aspects of my position involve meeting with students and other faculty members, listening attentively and providing supportive communication, all of which my psychology classes prepared me for."

Dawson is a third-year psychology student in the Faculty of Arts. Outside of work, you can find her exploring the city with Jacklyn, the Arts Work Experience Intern, and with a matcha latte in her hand.

"Working for the Canadian Government as a Research Analyst in the Public Safety Sector has been an incredibly rewarding experience so far. I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of some very important projects that benefit Canadians and create a more resilient nation. My work term started off with some challenges, but my supervisors, David, and Eric, have been very supportive and we’ve developed a great work relationship. I am extremely grateful for them and the Critical Infrastructure (CI) team I work with on a daily basis. As a Fourth Year Honors student who is juggling studying for the Law School Admissions Test and working full time for the Federal Government, I wouldn’t succeed without the unconditional support and guidance from my supervisors and CI team. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my placement, and I am excited to continue this journey, build connections and develop my skills. 

The most important thing I’ve learned throughout my work term is the importance of open and honest communication and adaptability. As I previously mentioned, my work term started off with multiple challenges and the only way I was able to successfully overcome them was through communicating with my supervisors and adapting to the rapidly changing situations. I’ve learned first-hand that not everything goes according to plan so being able to keep an open mind, problem solve and communicate will only benefit everyone. 

Moving forward, I hope to gain an irreplaceable experience, learn transferable skills and create lasting relationships. There are so many great opportunities within the AWE Program and my position and I just hope to gain as much as I can from what it all has to offer."

Sky is a Fourth Year Honors Sociology student who is working towards attending Law School in the Fall of 2023. Some of her interests include travelling, trying new foods, having fun with friends, playing golf and watching sports.

“After four months of working with the University of Alberta as the Arts Work Experience (AWE) Communications and Program Support Intern, I have learned a variety of invaluable skills such as graphic design, editing, writing and public speaking that will support my return to my academic courses. In my position, I get the opportunity to develop newsletter articles, design promotional materials, create social media strategies and communicate with students through emails, one-on-one AWE information sessions and online platforms. I am incredibly grateful that this position allows for creative flexibility and it has inspired me to aim for a career that also allows me to exercise my imagination!

As a Humanities student, I was constantly under pressure when it came to figuring out my career goals. There were many stereotypes around Arts degrees that made me question the versatility of my degree and I was led to believe that I would be stuck with limited career options. But after working behind the scenes with the Faculty of Arts, I have discovered the diverse career paths that are open to Arts students, thanks to the transferable skills we get from our degree programs! It is also never too late to get involved on campus, whether that be through clubs, volunteering, internships, or even saying hi to a faculty member. Exploring your options can open doors to many opportunities that will be valuable to your future. I am passionate about helping Arts students strengthen their confidence in their programs as well as sharing the expansive list of university resources available to them– especially since I was once in their shoes too.”

Jacklyn Rocha is an English student entering her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree. She hopes to further her education in communications and public relations. In her free time, she enjoys reading, karaoke and eating sushi.

"My AWE position has been such a great experience! I get to experience so many different things and I get to try them out as a student, which takes so much pressure off rather than trying these things for the first time once I'm a graduated professional. I get to design materials for web and print, such as branding guidelines and brochures. I do lots of video work including editing drone footage for big companies and I also get to film and edit interviews and promotional materials. I have gained so much experience this summer that I would have never been able to learn from a class!

One of the most important things I've learned from my work experience is that if you're always open to learning new things, you'll never be stuck in your career and you'll always be a valuable employee. I'm always learning on the job and as I've talked to my coworkers and seniors in the field it turns out that everyone else is also learning! This has helped me avoid that imposter syndrome feeling and instead, be humble and excited to learn the things that I don't know yet.

Something I'm hoping to gain from this experience going forward is to build a network of people who have experience in the marketing industry and who have great advice and connections to help me in my career. "

Amie is entering her 4th year in the Bachelor of Design program with a specialization in Visual Communications Design. She is passionate about bridging art/design and the local community. In her free time she loves photography, videography, and documenting the world around her.

"I am privileged to have been working at Ruth as its social media coordinator for almost four months. Ruth is a startup that focuses on the sustainable menstrual care industry. My job consists of running their various social media accounts, content creation and scheduling, email marketing, compiling analytics and understanding engagement, customer discovery research and so much more. Over 12 billion pads end up in North American landfills every year and Ruth was formed as a solution to this problem. By offering plant-based, disposable and eco-friendly pads, we are one step closer to cutting our carbon footprint and helping sustain our planet for many years to come. It has been incredibly exciting to work with a company that shares my passion and vision for the future.

The most important thing I’ve learned from this experience is the power of networking. Upon my acceptance into the AWE, the first thing I did was set up a LinkedIn profile. At that point I already had my resume and draft cover letter ready, so it was easy to jump right in. I got informed about jobs through both LinkedIn and resources from AWE. Even within my job, networking has proved its importance once again. With communications and marketing, you have to really build your network for your business. A huge network presents opportunities for growth.

For fellow international students, my advice is to put yourself out there! Don’t be afraid to apply to that job because the worst that they can say is no. It has not been an easy road adapting to life here in Canada and finding a job is hard. But having that work experience before you graduate is incredibly important. It gives you that edge and helps you stand out."

Anurika is in her 4th year of a Bachelor of Management degree with a major in Business Management and a minor in Sociology. She is also completing a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is passionate about sustainable business and hopes to find a role in management consulting after graduation. 

"As a Compost School Educator for the City of Edmonton, I encourage Edmontonians to reduce waste by doing presentations, coordinating events and engaging with residents at Compost School.  Even though I’ve always been passionate about waste and sustainability, this work term has opened my eyes to Edmonton’s waste system and allowed me to explore ideas and waste strategies that the city has implemented. It gave me a chance to learn about concepts I’ve never studied and opened up a whole new field of interest. My favorite part of this position is the diversity of the work I do. Some days I will be interacting with residents, other days I will be planning workshops, attending meetings or executing events. The variety of work I perform in this position has given me the ability to develop the leadership skills and professional traits that I have not learned in the classroom. 

One piece of advice I would give to new AWE students is to try and apply for jobs outside of your field if the position interests you. I think this is important because it will give you a chance to explore your other passions and even open up other career options in the future. If the position sounds interesting, fun or something that you can see yourself in, apply! You will never know if that field is right or not right for you unless you give it a shot!"

Tina is going into her third year of her Honors Political Science program. She is also earning her Certificate in Sustainability.

 "This year, I have worked with the United Nations Declaration Team in the Strategic Policy Directorate at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. It has been extraordinarily exciting. My team is the policy think tank that supports the Department of Justice in designing policy direction to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the country. I create briefing notes for ministers, attend inter-departmental meetings, design policy and have gotten to know decision-makers over virtual coffee. 

Throughout my work term, I have developed a better understanding of Section 35, Free Prior and Informed Consent, the United Nations Declaration Act and how this all interacts with judiciary precedents. Through understanding these legislative frameworks and how they interact with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, I can highlight gaps in communication strategies and policy through a whole of government approach."

Alyssa D. Schatz is a member of Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation. She is a fifth-year student in Human Geography and Economics with a Certificate in Sustainability. She currently lives in Leduc, Alberta.

“Currently, I am working with the City of Edmonton in the Development Permit Inspection team. I review approved Development Permits and perform on-site inspections in Edmonton's mature neighborhoods, ensuring that Infill Development is being built according to their permits and zoning bylaws. While performing these tasks, I collaborate with developers and community members to make sure Infill Development makes a positive impact in the community and throughout the city.

My work term has me involved and exposed to the processes of Infill Development in Edmonton. As the Edmonton City Plan calls for more Infill Development within our city in the coming decades, I strive to become knowledgeable with the Infill process to propel me into the development industry as a young professional. I also seek to develop relationships within the planning department to broaden my career paths in the future. In the long term, I hope this work experience will help in achieving the city's Infill goal, while creating vibrant and sustainable communities for generations.”

Mon is in his 4th year of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban Planning and minor in sociology. He is also completing a certificate in sustainability. He is passionate about developing sustainable communities that promote health, culture, and inclusiveness. In his free time, you will find Mon cycling through Edmonton's mature neighbourhoods and exploring the River Valley. 

“I am very fortunate to be five months into completing my eight month long work term with the City of Edmonton in the Development Approvals and Inspections branch. My work consists of reviewing and approving site plans and architectural drawings of new greenfield housing in the Edmonton region. It has been a very rewarding and positive experience to learn about the various development applications the City receives and what it takes to make these developments come to life. The City of Edmonton has gone above and beyond to promote a safe and inclusive environment for learning and gaining hands-on work experience virtually and in person. 

I think the most challenging part of my work experience so far has been adjusting to working from home. Starting the work term virtually made it difficult to get to know other people on my team, which made me shy away from asking my team members for help. It took me about a month to get comfortable and to reach out to new people when I had a question. I always had to remind myself that asking questions is okay, especially in a new role. The majority of people want to help and are more than happy to, if you ask! 

I hope I continue to grow as a planner in my role and carry over the new skills and knowledge I gained through this experience into my everyday life and the rest of my university career.“

Marina is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Urban Planning and a minor in Psychology. She is interested in promoting inclusive design within cities and is passionate about advocating for affordable housing. In the future, Marina hopes to travel and work abroad as an urban designer.

"I am privileged to be working as a Psychology Intern at Boyle Street Education Centre (BSEC). I am now more than halfway through my 12-month work term and it has been an enriching experience so far. BSEC is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible educational space, and it has been incredibly rewarding knowing that I am contributing to a safe environment that promotes education, healing and self-growth in our young people every time I walk through the front doors. My responsibilities as an intern include conducting intake interviews, scoring assessments, preparing psychological reports and letters, and supporting the Student Services team while building rapport with students. 

The most challenging part of my work experience was experiencing imposter syndrome. Admittedly, I have made some mistakes. I was a new addition to a team of amazing professionals who have many years of experience. Although I was working in a position that was directly related to my field of study, I felt like I was out of my element and wondered if I was a fraud. I doubted if I was capable of completing my work satisfactorily. I was able to overcome this by separating fact from feelings. I reminded myself of the accomplishments I've achieved so far, and how much I can and will accomplish in the future. I remind myself that I deserve to be here — that I have fairly earned my position due to my own abilities and that I am equipped with the skills necessary to effectively perform any task.

I hope to grow my self-confidence and knowledge going forward. I am excited for the new challenges ahead and I feel confident knowing that the skills I develop during my AWE work term will be transferable to my future career path."

Soph is in her fifth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Anthropology. She is passionate about being an educator as well as empowering and amplifying the voices of minority groups.

"My internship with Edmonton Public Schools has provided me with transferable work skills that will help me in my future studies and career.

As a Planning Intern, I was appointed to the Data and Planning team within the Infrastructure Planning Department. My roles and responsibilities were supporting planning and data collection for stakeholder engagement, collecting and analyzing demographic information, developing and maintaining information systems, analyzing data, monitoring land development relating to student enrollment and assisting the planning staff with special projects. Through this experience, I was able to briefly observe and make traffic recommendations which have steered me toward pursuing a future career in transportation planning.

The majority of my tasks were data-related, where I became more familiar with ArcGIS Pro than I had during my classes. This hands-on experience has provided me with employable skills as I became more advanced in GIS. The most important thing I learned from my internship is that data and planning go hand in hand. Many of my classes are theory-based, so analyzing and working with data took me out of my comfort zone. It was gratifying to see that the results of the data tasks I completed during my internship were used as evidence to make planning decisions related to student enrollment, school capacities and language/academic programs."

Christian is in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in urban planning and a minor in sociology. He is also completing a certificate in sustainability. In the future, Christian hopes to work within the transportation field.

“I am currently a psychology intern with the Evaluation Capacity Network (ECN), a national community-university partnership housed within the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. The ECN formed in efforts to build evaluation capacity in the early childhood field by providing individuals and organizations with the knowledge, skills and tools to evaluate their initiatives. Through their research and evaluation projects, the ECN seeks to improve day-to-day practices, programs and policies for the wellbeing of children, youth, families and communities.

Over the past four months, I have developed skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection, entry and analysis, synthesized research evidence, created diverse knowledge mobilization products (blog posts, interactive modules, presentations, social media content), mentored junior team members, and engaged in various governance committees and research teams. I am excited to continue working and learning with the ECN for the next several months!

The most important thing I have learned during my internship is the power of teamwork. Through AWE, I was able to experience and contribute to a professional, collaborative work environment. The ECN is an interdisciplinary team of researchers, students, practitioners and community partners who work together to develop and implement various projects. Everyone brings a unique perspective and a different set of knowledge and skills. The collaborative work environment stimulates creativity, connection and opportunities to listen and learn from colleagues. Even if we aren’t always like-minded, we are all like-hearted and passionate about the work we do!”

Jenae is in her third of studies in honors psychology with a minor in linguistics. She is interested in developmental psychology and hopes to becomes a Pediatric Speech Language Pathologist in the future. Jenae also volunteers in the GLAD lab as a research study coordinator and at the Center for Autism Services in Edmonton. 

“My co-op experience with Millard Health Workers’ Compensation Board is well aligned with my career goals involving holistic health care. I work with a multidisciplinary team that treats clients with physical and mental health concerns.

From what I have learnt so far as an international student in the Canadian work environment, I would encourage everyone to not miss opportunities of networking. Since it's a different culture, the experience can be nerve-wracking at first. But know your strengths and play by them. Even though there are some disadvantages of being an international student, always remember that you bring something unique to the table. 

The most challenging part of my work experience was to manage compassion fatigue. I wish more people knew about it. It means “the cost of caring for others or for their emotional pain, resulting from the desire to help relieve the suffering of others. It is also known as vicarious or secondary trauma, referencing the way that other people's trauma can become their own.” It is very important to practice self-care that works for you (whatever that looks like). Do not shy away from taking breaks. Most importantly, do not feel guilty for not feeling empathetic all the time."

Jashan is in her fourth year of studies in honors psychology. She volunteers at the Edmonton Distress Line and International Students Association at U of A. In the future, she hopes to conduct research in the field of neuropsychology. 

"Working as a Student Planner at the City of Edmonton on the Zoning Bylaw Renewal Initiative has been an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience so far. My colleagues at the City are awesome people to work with as they are very welcoming, supportive, and fun to be around. I have been working on a wide variety of tasks to support the team on this multi-year project, including drafting zoning regulations, jurisdictional research, presentation preparation, report writing and SketchUp modelling.

The most important thing I've learned throughout my work term is the importance of teamwork and communication. As a result of supporting the team on this massive group project, I've learned that effective teamwork is achieved when everyone on the team is using their unique skills and experiences to produce the best results. Communication is also crucial, especially when working remotely, which has been the case for most of my work term so far.

The advice I have for AWE students is to really understand what your strengths and interests are because you can use these to your advantage to not only land a job, but also to be impactful in your role. My advice for student planners specifically is to develop a diverse network of connections because they can help you navigate the extensive field of urban planning and help you get your foot in the door for potential job opportunities."

Trevor is in his fourth year of Urban and Regional Planning. He is completing a certificate of sustainability at the U of A and is an accredited LEED Green Associate. He is interested in planning, architecture and urban design. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, mostly hockey and gold. 

"The Office of the Student Ombuds (OSO) at the University of Alberta hosts three interns each year, two at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level. As an Undergraduate Ombuds Intern, I have worked directly with students on various appeals and proceedings related to a vast array of university policies. As a result of working with the OSO, I have developed a deep understanding of the inherently multifaceted nature of fairness, including substantive, administrative, relational and equitable fairness. I have found this job immensely rewarding and I can say without a doubt that it has helped me to better understand the university as a whole and it has inspired me to take a new route in my future studies. 

The most important lesson I have learned during my work experience term has been the importance of prioritizing self-care. Often in my classes I would work myself until the point of severe burnout. While working in the Office of the Ombuds, I have been able to develop balanced working habits and strategies to ensure that I don't reach the point of burnout again. As this role is service-oriented and involves working directly with students during high-stress situations at the university, I have learned meaningful strategies to help others with stress. I now have a better understanding of the supports that are available for students and myself."

David Draper is in their fifth year of studies with a major in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. They are also pursuing certificates in Sustainability and Community Engagement and Service-Learning. David is currently one of two Undergraduate Ombuds Interns at the Office of the Student Ombuds at the University of Alberta.

“My co-op experience with the City of Edmonton’s Open Space Strategy team has been rich and meaningful. Between May and December 2020, I undertook research to support strategic planning of Edmonton’s river valley and ravines, reviewed park space availability in central Edmonton neighbourhoods, and assisted with wildlife image processing through a North America wide wildlife research project. I was also able to present a workshop to my unit based on my lessons from an Indigenous Planning course I took in November. I’m really grateful for what this internship taught me about municipal governance and long-range urban parks planning. One of the biggest takeaways for me from this semester is the pace and diversity of work that exists within municipal planning. 

Before starting my City of Edmonton co-op, I assumed public sector planning was slow-paced and monotonous. From my perspective as a student, development approvals and policies seemed very gradual. Since becoming an ‘insider’ with the City, I’ve realized this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m continually impressed by the professionalism, intentionality and hard work from all corners of the organization. Teams across different business areas are willing to step up and help on a variety of issues. If you’re a planning or human geography student who likes fast-paced, collaborative work, you will find it working in public-sector planning. I know I found it.”

Liam is completing his fifth year of studies with a major in Planning and a minor in Economics. He is also completing certificates in International Learning and Interdisciplinary Leadership (through the Peter Lougheed Leadership College). In his spare time, Liam enjoys running, skiing and exploring Canada’s great outdoors.

“My work experience as an Interpretation Officer and Coordinator for Elk Island and Prince Albert National Park's Learn-to Camp teams has already been so rewarding. Access to Parks Canada locations and the outdoors as a whole often comes with many barriers for new Canadians, minorities, and English language learners. I have been able to share my love of the outdoors with people who face these barriers by simultaneously being a student, representing Parks Canada, and working and coordinating directly with settlement organizations across the country. My work experience with Learn-to Camp has allowed me to assist with removing these barriers and I get to hear about incredible experiences from people who are discovering their love for the outdoors.

The most important thing I've learned from my work experience so far is that no matter your academic background, you'll be able to apply the knowledge and skills you gain in your studies to an employment sector you're interested in, so long as you're passionate about what you're doing. I found this position myself and although my academic background in anthropology, zoology and palaeontology may not seem overtly relevant, it has allowed me to bring forth some unique perspectives and ideas that have already enhanced Learn-to Camp's operations and programming. I credit most of this to my genuine enjoyment of both what I am studying and what I do for work. I cannot stress the importance of following your passions enough!”

Jonelle is completing her fourth year of studies with a major in anthropology and a minor in biological sciences (with a focus on zoology and paleontology). She is currently working on a research project in paleontology under Dr. Corwin Sullivan where she is attempting to identify and classify a lower leg bone found in northern Alberta from a Cretaceous diving bird. In her spare time, Jonelle is probably camping, hiking, kayaking, on a road trip, or doing a combination of these things. 

"My co-op experience with the City of Edmonton has been essential to my academics and future career goals.

I hadn’t realized how much my classes had prepared me for hands-on experience during my work term. All the planning legislation I studied and many of my assignments have directly related to the work I did. I want to highlight that school isn’t just about getting a good mark, but also gaining the knowledge the professors carefully teach. It was very gratifying to see that the classes I have taken provided me with a great foundation to begin my career.

Through my position as a Planning Work Experience Student, I worked in the Development Services branch, reviewing development permits where I interacted with people of all different backgrounds. Because of this, I was able to gain many different perspectives on city planning in Edmonton.

I think the most important takeaway from my experience is not to be afraid of talking to people. I learned something from every interaction I had and the more people I spoke to, the more knowledge I gained. Everyone has their own stories about how they ended up in the career they have today, and their stories really helped me figure out where I wanted to go with my planning degree. My co-op at the City of Edmonton was a welcoming environment where I could explore my skills in the real world and it also gave me the opportunity to network with many different professionals who helped me develop those skills."

Courtney is in her fourth year of her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in urban planning and a double minor in anthropology and art & design. She is also completing a certificate in sustainability. In the future, Courtney hopes to become a planner and make a difference in the built form of Edmonton through policy and engagement. 

"Working as the Communications and Program Support Intern for Arts Work Experience has been such an engaging and rewarding experience so far, especially when it comes to my confidence in a professional environment. My work involves communicating with students via email, video chat and social media, spreading the word about AWE around campus and online and writing newsletters. I also get a unique perspective of all the work that goes on behind the scenes to make AWE a success! 

Before starting my work term I thought I wanted a position that aligned with my career goals in psychology, but I quickly realized that accepting this position was one the best decisions I’ve ever made, even if it doesn’t directly relate to psychology. I have developed transferable skills that will benefit my future career, such as creative writing, data organization and public speaking, while also discovering new passions and interests! The most important thing I’ve learned from my work experience is that career paths are not linear, and taking a more skills-based approach to my studies will allow me to work in a wide variety of disciplines. AWE has already made me more confident in my ability to find work after graduation and I can’t wait to see what the rest of this work term will bring!"

Claire is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Psychology with a certificate in social sciences research. In her free time she enjoys alpine skiing, biking and spending time at the lake.

“I am proud to have been part of an amazing team at the Edmonton Transit Service. There are many people putting in long hours every day, working to make our city a better place. I served as a Customer Care and Engagement Coordinator, and my responsibilities included researching ways to make transit safer, coordinating outreach events across the city and assisting projects regarding the new Arc Card and Bus Network Redesign. 

The most challenging part of my work experience was my frustration for not working in a position that was aligned with my career goals (law enforcement).. I thought I was wasting my time and that I was not making any professional progress in my career. The truth is, this co-op was one of the best uses of my time. I was able to network, learn more about the industry and — most importantly — develop transferable skills. My biggest advice to students is to trust the process. You will get where you want to be with hard work and consistency. Also, be happy and keep your chin up. Being optimistic really does have an impact on your work and outlook.”

Evan is a third year student completing a double major in Economics and Sociology. He is also completing certificates in Community Engagement and Service-Learning and International Learning. Evan hopes to one day become a detective for the Edmonton Police Service. 

"I learned so much during my co-op position with the City of Edmonton. While working for the Zoning and Development Services team, I was able to apply information from my courses to zoning bylaws and other planning legislation and gain hands-on experience. This allowed me to experience the day-to-day responsibilities of an urban planner and gain a solid understanding of the planning profession. 

The most challenging part of my work experience was the COVID-19 pandemic. I started my co-op in January of 2020 but my in-person time in this role was cut short. The transition was challenging but I quickly adapted to working from home. I overcame this challenge by frequently communicating with my team about responsibilities and tasks and making a daily work routine for myself. 

My advice to AWE students would be to stick to a daily work routine and set goals for the day, no matter how small. In a world where you may be working from home, you could start your routine by checking your email and making a list of tasks that you want to accomplish during the day. I also know my routine involves a lot of coffee."

Natalie is a recent Human Geography and Art & Design graduate. Natalie is currently working as a Research Assistant for the Housing for Health Project with the University of Alberta. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys sewing and watching movies.

"Through Arts Work Experience (AWE), I’ve had the opportunity to explore a vast amount of positions that are available to me as an economics major. I am currently working as a Policy Analyst for Western Economic Diversification Canada, which is one of the six Regional Development Agencies that focuses on diversifying the economy of Western Canada. I use my background in economic theory to propose policy recommendations to improve the quality of life of Western Canadians. My focus throughout my work term has been researching and understanding the concept of inclusive growth, and proposing policy to create more equitable opportunities for women and youth.

Before starting my work term, I didn’t think I would end up working as a policy analyst, since I don’t have a strong background in public policy or political science. However, upon entering this position, I learned that our workforce consists of numerous people from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences, who all work together to provide the best possible solutions for Canadians. The diverse nature of public service allows you to bring your own expertise to the subject matter, while also learning different concepts from others. Working in government as a co-op student exposes you to a wide range of resources — online courses, seminars, conferences, etc. — which allows you to learn and develop skills that are directly applicable to your work and your personal development.  Don’t be afraid to venture out into fields that are not a “standard” in your discipline, because you may discover a great opportunity that allows you to reach your goals while learning something new."

Ahmed is currently a fourth year undergraduate student majoring in Economics. His focus throughout his degree has been on mathematical and statistical applications to Economics. In his spare time he enjoys reading and learning about new advancements in the world of technology. 

"I’m ecstatic to be working as a Junior Policy Analyst for the National Security Policy Directorate through AWE. My passion for national security and international affairs began long before my current position, but thanks to AWE, I was finally able to implement them in my industry of passion and grow real, first hand experience in my field.

The most important thing I’ve learned is that networking is everything! Talk to everyone, even if they are much more experienced, and build a professional network that can last long after your co-op position! This means taking the time to get to know your colleagues and supervisors, and maintaining that professional relationship after your position ends. It’ll be incredibly valuable, not just from all their experience you get to learn from, but also - they could potentially help open doors of opportunity for you!

Imposter syndrome is real, no matter what your position is or how experienced you are. I knew I had a lot to bring to the table, but it was hard not to get intimidated sometimes when I was seeing that some of my colleagues had two masters degrees or 15 years of experience! However, I remained resilient and more importantly humble, and eventually I remembered one very important thing: there is a reason why I was hired! If I wasn’t a valuable contribution to the team, I would not have been selected for this position - especially one that is incredibly competitive! That’s something you have to remember as well; imposter syndrome affects everyone. The key is to be resilient even when you feel insecure, to stay humble, inquisitive, and to remember that there is a reason why you are in the position you are in! You have so much to offer!" 

Sumayah is currently a fourth year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Sociology.

"My work includes engaging with Arts international students in their non-academic performance and career development, as well as partnering with other university services such as University of Alberta International to deliver workshops and events. I also write the Arts International Student Newsletter that features all news and resources necessary for Arts international students.

I’ve only been in this position for about 2 months now, so I still have a lot to learn. However, the most important thing I’ve learned so far is the ability to multitask and implement change immediately. I am working in a period of uncertainty, thus the ability to adapt and improvise with my work, given the environment, is important. 

Another big takeaway is being able to witness all the decision-making processes and the work that is done behind the scenes. Seeing how everyone makes decisions with students’ best interests in mind makes me feel grateful to be a student and an intern at the University of Alberta. 

If there is something that I would like to advise new AWE students, it’s to be open minded and accept change throughout your career development. Your career path may not be linear, and you will probably end up working in a field that you never even knew about or one that is completely different from your previous career goals. Never feel disheartened if you are not able to meet your goals, and keep on taking all the opportunities that are given to you. When you are working, a lot of external forces can affect your job and the way you approach your tasks. Be open minded to different ideas and change, as well as be culturally sensitive to other employees who have different cultural backgrounds than you."

Tasha is currently a fourth year undergraduate student double majoring in Economics and Political Science. She is also completing the Certificate in Economics and Management of Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment under the Department of Economics. 

"My position as an intern for the Northwest Regional Office has been very informative, both for my personal and professional development. In general, my work consists of creating media reports about local activities affecting the sector, doing research on regional agricultural and environmental issues, creating databases for local food processors, and supporting my supervisors and coworkers with the files they are allocated. Through my work, I have been learning so much about Alberta and the Yukon’s agriculture, processors, and even about our trade relations with other countries. It has also introduced me to potential opportunities for future employment in a variety of sectors that match my interests and education.

The most important thing I've learned from my work experience is that anyone can do anything- to a reasonable extent at least. I think as Arts Students, some of us may be concerned about what we'll do after we graduate. Will our degrees help us find work, especially in these uncertain times? I have learned that despite the insecurities we may feel, our Arts Degrees do a great job of giving us the keys to adapt to a variety of situations, and provide us with many transferable skills like collaboration and critical and empathetic thinking. Working as an intern for Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada is not something necessarily associated with a student in Latin American Studies and Spanish, but my program has given me the skills to work in contexts not directly related to my degree. I have also realized that many of my senior coworkers come from differing fields and have an Arts degree themselves. It shows that if one is willing to learn, put themselves out there, take risks and work hard, they will get the necessary supports which will open the door to endless possibilities. Your degree can provide the foundation for success and will return to you as much as you put into it."

Nicosia is completing her degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish as well as certificates in International Learning and Community Service Learning. In her free time she enjoys tutoring students, spending time in nature, and hanging out with her family.  

“My time with Environment and Climate Change Canada was such a rewarding and engaging experience. I supported the Mackenzie River Basin Board and contributed to its reports by tracking comments and suggestions made for the Annual Report and State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report, creating graphics and posters, and compiling a list of Indigenous Nations in the River Basin. I was able to take on an assignment researching the measures that different provinces and territories in the River Basin use to respond to non-emergency environmental incidents. I learned so much about policy analysis and public service and I'm grateful for everything I was able to experience.

One of the most important takeaways from my work term was understanding and learning about the different ways my degree can be used. I chose my program in Arts because I wanted to pursue what I was passionate about, despite the concerns I had about what I would make of my degree. Now, having had some exposure to what policy work is like, I have a better idea of how I can use what I'm learning in my studies, I'm more aware of what topics and classes to seek out in order to strengthen my degree, and I'm more confident when job seeking in general. My work term with Environment and Climate Change Canada helped me further my career development in many ways and I feel much more equipped to continue pursuing my goals post-graduation.”

Bezawit has completed her 5th year of studies majoring in Human Geography and Sociology. She is completing certificates in Community Engagement and Service Learning, Applied Social Sciences Research, and Sustainability. In her free time she enjoys making maps and exploring Edmonton with her camera. 

"Through the Arts Work Experience Program, I have been working as a Psychology Intern at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury in Ponoka, Alberta for the last 8 months. I work in a Psychosocial Rehab inpatient facility with an amazing interdisciplinary team of therapy assistants, an occupational therapist, a rec therapist, a psychologist, a social worker, and psychiatric nurses and aides to provide care for clients struggling with their mental health. My regular tasks include running self-report assessments, different cognitive assessments, facilitating workshops, and working one-on-one with clients on different emotional and/or day-to-day goals to better support their recovery during their 6-8 week stay.

I have gained many significant skills, lessons and experiences during my internship but if I were to choose one, I would say that being able to experience and put into practice the theoretical concepts that I have learned in my first three years of university in a real-world, client-centered environment with AHS has been the most important to me. It's been a great learning opportunity to see how research and theoretical concepts in the field of psychology are applied to patient care in a mental health facility. Being exposed to the workforce now through AWE, I am able to gain a more holistic view of the field of mental health and psychology in general, in that I am not only able to understand and appreciate the practice of patient care we provide, but also the importance of research and everything I have learned in my degree so far that compliments this practice."

Bikalpa is an Honours Psychology Student. He currently works for the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury as a Psychology Intern. 

“Arts Work Experience allows me to work in the most dynamic building in the province: the Legislature Building. Currently, I am working as the Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. This is a fantastic ministry to work in; Municipal Affairs has the best people, a diverse set of stakeholders, and an abundance of topics for me to be a part of. And, being a Political Science major means I’m a political nerd, so getting firsthand experiences with historic provincial legislation such as the Recall Act and the Local Authorities Elections Amendment Act has been incredibly exciting!

The most important thing I have learned on the job is humility. It’s okay to start out not knowing everything - in fact, it’s expected. Working in government means that there is never a dull moment and every day is unique. I’ve been working in Municipal Affairs for almost a year and not a day goes by that I don’t have the opportunity to learn from my colleagues. The Legislature Building is a community and everyone is here to support everyone else.

The best part of my job is that I get to help make an impact on the everyday lives of Albertans. Municipal Affairs receives daily emails from constituents asking for help with their local infrastructure, flood relief, red tape reduction ideas, or their upcoming municipal elections. Going forward with my work term—and my future career—I hope to continue helping Albertans share their experiences and ideas with our provincial government.”

Emily Briand is a Political Science major and a Psychology minor. She currently works for the Government of Alberta as the Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. 

"Arts Work Experience has been an incredible opportunity and I am so glad I made the decision to join. I am currently in a co-op placement with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), specifically with Citizenship. There are certainly many challenges involved with working during a pandemic, but my work term so far has nevertheless been very interesting and enjoyable. As a student, working in a professional setting, and for the Government, has been a unique and valuable learning experience. I am happy to be able to directly contribute to important work, such as accepting files, scheduling citizenship events, responding to client emails, and much more. As well, I would say one of the most exciting parts of my job involves assisting with citizenship ceremonies and being able to witness so many people become Canadian citizens. It is a day our clients will likely never forget - the culmination of their journeys to becoming citizens - and I have the privilege of playing a small part in that intricate process of citizenship. I know that all of the experiences I have gained during this job are things I will never forget.

This co-op position provided me with the opportunity to take things I have learned in university and apply them outside of the classroom. There is no doubt in my mind that the professional skills I have developed - such as communication, technical knowledge, networking, etc. - will be very helpful in preparing me for a career after university. I encourage all Arts students to consider AWE, as this co-op has done so much to advance both my personal and professional growth. I would like to say that working with IRCC and for the federal public service has truly been an honour." 

Jordan Wong is an Honors Political Science student with a minor in Economics. He currently works with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada as a Citizenship Assistant. 

"Arts Work Experience has given me the opportunity to utilize my degree in a unique way. In my position at Work Nicer I facilitate member programming, as well as leading both member onboarding and offboarding sessions. I am currently taking on our Member Stories project where we will interview and feature members within the Work Nicer community. On a daily basis I also assist with administration, sales, and operations projects.

Work Nicer Coworking is a community that highly values a positive member experience and it is my main focus to support this. A wonderful aspect of this position is that I am working for and with entrepreneurs every day. I work physically at the Edmonton location and connect virtually with the Calgary team through platforms like Slack and Zoom.

The advice I would give to new or potential AWE students is to look outside of the conventional job opportunities typically available for your program of study. For example, it may seem hard to connect a history degree with a member experience position in a Coworking startup but at its core I am utilizing the aspects of what I love most about studying history. I am constantly researching, writing, interacting with some amazing people, and collecting the stories of member's entrepreneurial journeys. I would encourage Arts students to look at Intern positions within startups because you are able to gain a wide range of experience, witness how much a business drastically changes as it grows, and gain insight on the pains and successes of the entrepreneurial lifestyle." 

Cassandra Pryer is a Honors History student with a minor in Sociology and a certificate in International Learning. She currently works as a Member Experience Specialist and Happiness Advocate at Work Nicer Coworking. 

"It has been 10 months since the pandemic brought changes to our work environment, yet in my opinion, we still do not have an exact formula for 'how to productively work from home.' From my experience as a remote intern at an International IT company, I found it difficult to get into the headspace I needed, become productive, and complete tasks.

Over-communication is one of the main things that I am learning during my co-op term. This means finding a common day and time to meet with clients and colleagues from different time zones to provide each other updates and keep one another accountable. I am grateful for the power of online communication channels, as I am able to personally chat and video call with my colleagues, CEO, and CTO on a daily basis regardless of how many kilometers away we are from each other. By over-communicating, not only am I building a better relationship with the team, but I am also able to find the motivation to work from home, as I know that I am not alone." 

Sophia Iligan is a first generation Filipino-Canadian immigrant. She is an AWE student, a Psychology Major, and a Spanish and Drama Double Minor. She currently works for CodexWorks Technologies as a Business Development Consultant.

"Arts Work Experience gave me the incredible opportunity to work with the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) as a Junior Project Officer. Looking back, what is most striking is that I did not feel like a student at the Agency. Whether I was working on technical reviews of environmental impact statements, doing Indigenous consultation, or learning the intricacies of project management at the Federal level, I always felt like I was part of the team. This meant that there was a steep learning curve when I started my position, but the payoffs for that were unquantifiable. Throughout my term at the Agency, I had the opportunity to talk with Indigenous leaders from across the Prairies, to write an analysis report on a project for the Prairie and Northern Region, and to be a part of a team that won the Agency's President's Award. At the end of my term, I was able to continue to work with the Agency in a casual position.

I think that the biggest benefit from all of these experiences has been being able to apply the theoretical knowledge I've gained from my degree in the real world. Not only does this better prepare me for future jobs through the skills and professional development I recieved, but it also gave me a new perspective to consider as I returned to my studies. Having experience with consultation efforts first hand has been very enlightening in a degree program that focuses on the political intricacies of the relationship between the Canadian state and the Indigenous peoples on this land." 

Christian is in his 4th year of a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science with a certificate in Indigenous Governance and Partnership. Christian was an AWE student on a work term in 2019. 

"I am nearing the end of my first semester in my AWE position and I have been enjoying it so much! My position allows me to build relationships through working one-on-one with clients and applying the technical skills I would otherwise just hear about in lecture or read about in textbooks. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to gain experience outside of the classroom before completing my undergraduate degree!

I would encourage new AWE students to consider what they hope to gain from their future placement (ie. new skills, experiences, networking opportunities, etc.) and use that to guide your applications. Keeping what you are hoping to gain in mind will help you find the positions you are most interested in, and allow you to tailor your applications. For me, I knew I wanted a position in the Healthcare realm that allowed me to work with clients, and that struck a balance between technical, knowledge-based skills and interpersonal, communication-based skills. I've found all that and more in my position!" 

Emily Young is an Honors Psychology Student currently working as an Internship Assistant in Neuropsychology, Cognitive-Perceptual, and Clinical Psychology at Zone Performance Psychology. 

"Joining the AWE program has worked in my favor more than I thought it would. The level of support and understanding I have received from my AWE coordinators in every step of the job search, from receiving an offer to being a full-time employee has exceeded my expectations, even more so given the obstacles set by the pandemic. The breadth of resources available has prepared me for a competitive labour market, for which I will forever be grateful for.

As a student advisor for the Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), I had the chance to experience a unique experience within the federal government having worked for innovative Western Canada Growth Strategy (GW) team along with several COVID-19 centered projects. The most important thing I have learned over the course of my work experience is the importance of diversification in an economy, especially one plagued by a pandemic. Grow West is about growing jobs, exports, and the economy across the four western provinces. The current pandemic has all shown us the extent to which its ripple effect can impact and damage not only the economy but people's lives as well. Being part of a team that contributes to helping Canadians recover from this ordeal, while learning lessons to help diversify the economy is a great experience and I look forward to pursuing a career in a sustainably responsible environment." 

Jean Bruce is an Economics Major and International AWE student currently working for the Grow West team as a Student Advisor. 

"Working remotely for my first co-op term has taught me how valuable it is to work with supportive team members. I'm proud and lucky to work with a team of experts in Aboriginal law who share in our funny internet connectivity problems and make time to communicate with each other. Our relationship with other departments has brought me personal and professional experiences that I couldn't get elsewhere. Our unit is small and we often have helping hands in each other's projects, so virtual coffee dates and meetings are frequent. The folks in my unit feel like a work family even though I only virtually met my team a few months ago.

The greatest challenge as a settler and co-op student for Indigenous Services Canada is working through my positionality. I support claims analysts and management with research, report writing, and information requests. I bring my values as an advocate for Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and justice to my work. I also recognize that I'm a third generation settler working for a government built on a history of settler-colonialism and violence. Working with legislation like the Indian Act further depicts my situationality and I'm grateful to learn about the reconciliation efforts in my department. I'm also able to take advantage of cultural education and learning opportunities in Aboriginal law through my department to confront these histories and continue to develop my understanding of my situationality." 

Meagan McLay is a settler residing in Amiskwacîwâskahikan on Treaty 6 territory, traditional lands of First Nations, the territory of the Papaschase, and the homeland of the Métis nation. She is an AWE student and Criminology Major and currently works for the Claims unit at the Lands and Economic Development department at Indigenous Services of Canada. 

"I am a little over a month into my work term, and Pivot has already proven to be the most dynamic and challenging workplace I've ever been a part of. From the rapidly changing nature of the project, to the frenetic pace of the research, I've had to adapt quickly and rethink how I'd previously viewed work. Taking my work term one day at a time has helped me to enjoy the process much more, and be conscientious of what I've learnt as I go along. The result has been an informative and enriching experience thus far.

At Pivot I'm tasked with leading a team of six as part of a Canada-wide research initiative into what youth value most in their cities. One of the most challenging aspects of this position has been continuously finding ways to keep my team engaged with the work, particularly in a virtual environment. All of us come from different academic programs, and one of the most rewarding experiences for me has been getting to know my coworkers on a personal level, learning their interests and figuring out how to best relate them to the work we do.

Similarly, many of my most valuable learnings have come from my fellow Edmonton-based Team Leads. With most of them being more experienced than me in regards to research, social activism, and community work, I've been exposed to a great deal of new perspectives which have taught me to think critically and problem-solve much more effectively. I'm excited for the challenges that will present themselves as the project progresses, and I'm confident that I'll be leaving this work term as a much more skilled, capable, and critical individual." 

Sameer is a Political Science Major currently working as a Team Lead at Pivot 2020. 

"From the start, my experience with the AWE program has been nothing short of brilliant. The level of proactive guidance and support shown by my AWE work experience coordinators in every step of my job search, application, and interview process made it an incredibly seamless experience. By leveraging the professional development resources available in AWE along with the efficient coaching from my coordinator, I was able to successfully brand myself for my employer.

One of the most important things I've learnt from my work experience so far would be understanding how important it is for each of us to do our part in supporting the community, especially during this pandemic. There is a growing sense of financial uncertainty among individuals as we navigate the effects of the current global economic crisis. Through my role as a Client Advisor for RBC, I am able to provide frontline proactive financial advice and support to clients in their pursuit to regain financial wellness in their lives. I am grateful to have this opportunity to share in RBC's commitment to supporting the financial recovery of our communities, and I look forward to learning more as I pursue a career in socially responsible banking." 

Nabil is an Economics Major currently working as a Client Advisor for Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). 

"Working with the Government of Alberta on the Site Rehabilitation Program (SRP) has given me great insights into Public Service operations, and I am fortunate to be able to leave an impact. Being a part of a program that helps companies within Alberta stay afloat during the COVID-19 crisis has been a great source of motivation each day at work.

My position with the Ministry of Energy requires me to generate grant agreements for applicant companies, review and process payments, and manage statistics that later go to the Deputy Minister of Energy. Although at the beginning it was challenging to step out of my comfort zone, I have been able to push my boundaries and take up new roles and responsibilities.

As an international student, I find myself fortunate to have landed a job that allowed me to experience a professional Canadian work environment. It has helped me meet and learn from many insightful people, expand my horizons, and give direction to my career decisions." 

Ramya is an Economics (Honors) Major and a Political Science Minor currently working as a Site Rehabilitation Program (SRP) Grant Analyst. 

"Working from home was a sudden transition. There were talks in the office about possibly not coming in for a while but I didn’t expect such a quick shift. I’m working for Indigenous Services Canada, with the Additions to Reserve unit. The pace of things was definitely slow, as I didn’t have system access for a couple of weeks and most of my tasks depended on them. Of course, my team has been very understanding and accommodating of this. In critical times like these, our unit is considered non-essential so we have been moving slow due to limitations but our files are still moving forward and we are continuing to hold meetings through calls. Communication is a key factor that our team focuses on and rather than everyone falling into silence, our team has been having weekly meeting calls for everyone to update each other and check up on general well being. Working from home of course is far different from what we could be doing in the office, but our unit has been doing its best with what we can.” 

Cindy Kwon is a Political Science Major currently working for Indigenous Services Canada. 

"My work experience has been amazing! I’ve developed my communication skills further and learned new skills along the way. Even working from home, I still feel connected with my team in a virtual space, though it is a different feeling than bumping into someone in the lunchroom. I do get distracted (see photo), but moments like these remind me to take breaks. You lose track of time so quickly when you’re seated in the same place for hours.

I’ve even taken up some new hobbies to make my apartment feel more like home. I’ve learned how to propagate basil and grow more, so I always have fresh basil at the ready!" 

Kassandra is a Psychology Major currently working as a Compliance Promotion Student for the Government of Canada. 

"I think it goes without saying that starting an internship remotely has been an interesting experience. I am five weeks into a one-year work term and I will continue to work from home for the foreseeable future. Other than fighting the temptation of distractions and having to stay productive, I do genuinely enjoy working from home. Yes it sucks that I haven't been able to work with my supervisors in person, but we are in constant communication. Reminding myself that I am not just working from home but rather at home during a pandemic trying to work has been really helpful. I think this can be applied to everyone during this time. Whether you are a student, doing volunteer work, or leaving your house every day to go to work it is important that you don't compare what you are doing to what you did prior to COVID. We are living in extraordinary times.

I am beyond grateful to have a job during this time, let alone a job that will help further my career as a young professional. Being a student at the U of A is one thing, but being a staff member is completely something else. From behind both curtains, not only am I able to understand why some policies are in place for students but I am also able to voice student perspectives to the faculty. This role has taught me a lot about empathy and perspective. I am excited to continue to learn new things and I can't wait to see what the rest of my work term has in store for me!" 

Nathaniel is a Political Science and Economics double major beginning a one-year term as the Student Recruitment, Engagement, and Communications Intern for the Faculty of Arts. 

"Working from home is an experience I did not anticipate. However very little about this internship has gone how I would have expected. After having to evacuate the building in the middle of my interview, pushing the start date back a semester, and the onset of a pandemic, I was beginning to convince myself this opportunity was just not meant to be. Now, I am honestly just grateful this experience was still an option. I am trying to appreciate this opportunity, both the pros and the cons, even though it means I am working from home and is not how I envisioned it. I have come to realize that there are still some very valuable lessons I am able to gain, even though it is not a traditional workplace.

I am finding it helpful to treat my day as I would if I was working in the office, just with a much shorter commute. In an effort to maintain a routine I still work regular hours and take normal coffee and lunch breaks. I do my best to get dressed into more than just lounge wear, and to work at a table or my desk, instead of a couch or my bed (although some days my effort does not go as well as I would hope). I have found these little strategies very helpful in both getting the most out of my internship experience as well as navigating this trying time." 

Sara is currently taking part in the Internship University Undergrad Program as a Student Labour Market Researcher, with Labour Market Information (LMI), Service Canada. 

"While I’ve been very fortunate to have found a job during these tough times, this new climate hasn’t been without its challenges. Having to differentiate between work and home has been a big adjustment for me. I share a small house with three of my friends so the only space that is my own is my bedroom. My desk serves as my work desk, makeup desk, and (when I’m craving some alone time) my dinner and Netflix table.

Working from home really tests my self-control and motivation as well. As I’m not  surrounded by co-workers to help keep me accountable and since I have to set my own deadlines, I am entirely responsible for myself. Thankfully, I’ve been developing lots of skills that help. For example, I have three different calendars (1 virtual, 2 physical) containing various tasks, meetings, and deadlines to help with my time management and planning.

I’m now about one month into my year-long work term. In a short amount of time I’ve met so many amazing people, learned so much about my position and the inner workings of the university, and my own development has grown exponentially. While having to work from home is less than ideal for me, I’m definitely leaving my work term with a whole new set of skills." 

Sharon Gong is a Psychology Major working as the International Student Engagement Intern for AWE this year. 

"Being stuck at home has given me time to work on some projects I had been planning for a while. The first was making my best attempt at growing a beard, which turned out to be patchy and underwhelming. The second was to paint my room, which meant that for several days I camped out in the living room with our dog, Meile. After moving the furniture back into my room and setting up my workstation I have learned that it doesn't matter if I am working on the living room floor, or working at my desk, there are always ways that I can be productive.

This is my third work term with the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada department. I work with the Lands Management team as part of the Lands and Economic Development Directorate. My primary task involves monitoring land instruments on First Nations Reserves in Alberta, but I also perform other functions such as data analysis and research. Working from home has created significant obstacles in teamwork and communication, but I am finding that I still have all the resources I need to do my job: I consider myself lucky as I am already familiar with my team and my work tasks, and I feel comfortable communicating with my colleagues even though we are all working remotely. Things have been business as usual, except I get to wear my Patriots jersey and bucket hat.” 

Seth McDermott is an Economics student entering the final year of his undergraduate degree. He currently works for the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada department, with the Lands Management team as part of the Lands and Economic Development Directorate.

“Starting this position in the middle of a pandemic wasn’t really what I had envisioned. I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t enjoy being able to go to work wearing pajama pants, but I do miss the day-to-day interactions with strangers and the connections I would have had with people if I was working in an office everyday. Even though my favorite part of my internship so far has been doing Information Interviews, and meeting new colleagues virtually, Zoom and Google Meet video chats get tiring! Plus, my ever-so tempting bed is just upstairs, and my at-home coworker (pictured with me here) is entirely unhelpful.

However just being a part of something with a regular schedule has given me motivation to do things like get out of bed before noon and not play Animal Crossing all day. Making myself keep to a schedule has been a very healthy way to stay motivated. I have also learned to not focus so much on how productive I can be right now, as this is not a normal time! Each day I try to take a moment to let myself relax. I go for a walk, maybe even make the drive to go to the River Valley, which has been a place of solace and community for me, even with social distancing. Doing that helps me to clear my head and refocus myself for the work day. It makes me more engaged in my work, ready to apply different concepts and learn new things.

Working as the Communications and Program Support Intern already feels very rewarding, even after only a few weeks, and I cannot wait to find out what the rest of this work term will bring!" 

Sydney is a fourth year English student beginning her year as the new Arts Work Experience Communications and Program Support Intern in the Faculty of Arts.

"Working from home has definitely been an experience. After working through the 2019 Chuckegg Wildfire and being evacuated with the Beaver First Nation Band during my first work term, to now working through the COVID-19 pandemic this year at Indigenous Services Canada, I can say I am a resilient worker! Being self-isolated, I am unable to communicate directly with my team everyday.

However, my passion for helping First Nations communities has helped me move forward with my work; I am committed to making a difference. During this time, I even created a career statement: "I am dedicated to working with the First Nations of Canada throughout my career. In doing so, I wish to do my part in promoting reconciliation for all Indigenous tribes around the world who have faced cultural/historical oppression and the effects of colonialism. I hope to showcase the cultural diversity and resiliency Indigenous communities have through my work, as well as being an Indigenous person. Finding that place of passion and being a dreamer helps me get through my work, regardless of the situation!" 

Johnny is working for the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada as a Treaty Annuity Payment Clerk under Treaty Annuities, Indian Monies. 

“My anxiety around the whole situation has been very high. I can’t stand uncertainty at the best of times, and the fact that everyone on this planet is going through the same thing is both comforting and terrifying. Working from home has definitely helped - it’s nice to work in a familiar, comfortable environment that I know is safe. ⠀

That being said, the transition hasn’t been without stress itself. Because so much of my job involved working with clients face-to-face, most of my daily tasks are now gone and it took a while for me to get used to doing other work-related things that don’t involve clients. So instead, I’ve been working lots on my research project, as well as developing new materials to integrate into client programs once things return to normal. Now, I’m starting to like it - I mean, it’s awesome being able to work in leggings and slippers! ⠀

My advice for everyone when dealing with this stressful time is to keep a routine (but be flexible at the same time), find ways to stay active, and make sure you’re connecting with family and friends in more ways than just texting and Snapchatting. Oh, and Animal Crossing - lots and lots of Animal Crossing.”⠀

Katherine is an intern at the Millard Health Centre where she is completing a 12 month work term. ⠀ 

"Since everyone in my family is home right now, the best place for me to get my work done is in my bedroom. My room is small and I still want it to be a place where I can relax after my work is done, so I set up a "privacy curtain" to separate my work space and the rest of my room. This has also been helpful since a large part of my job is meeting with students, which I am now doing online. My curtain is not the most stable structure (it is an old bed sheet held up by thumb tacks!) but it helps me maintain privacy with my students and helps make the rest of my home still feel like home.”⠀

Fenya is finishing her work term as an Ombuds Intern with at the University of Alberta.  

“Staying home and working from home have been especially challenging for me because I live in a 200 square foot apartment. I can walk from one end of my multi-functional living space to the other in 13 steps. All of the “working from home” posts that have been popping up in my social media feed tell me to keep a dedicated office space - but that’s hard for those of us who don’t have the luxury of a lot of room! The people and communities who have been hit the hardest by COVID are those located in the world's most densely populated cities. I’ve been paying careful attention to stories and advice from those living in cities with notoriously small housing - cities like Hong Kong, New York, and London. I am feeling very thankful that social media has given me the ability to connect with and seek advice from people with whom I share similar experiences.”⠀

Emma is working as a the Student Communications, Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator with the Faculty of Arts.⠀ 

“I’ve been working from home for two weeks now to practice social distancing. It's definitely been a mental adjustment, especially since I'm not leaving the house at all - so I sleep, work, eat, and have the rest of my day all at home! I have been finding it more difficult to focus at home, so something I've been doing to help combat that is that I have set up a desk space in a room that's not my bedroom. This way, when I'm at the desk I know it's time to work, and when I'm not, I know I can relax! ⠀

I've also been trying to go on a walk every day during my lunch hour (I try my best to stick to my normal work hours!) and that helps me clear my head. I think it's so important to be doing as much self-isolation as possible so that we all stay safe during this time and protect the others around us. But it's also important to take care of yourself and find strategies that work for you to feel motivated and focused in this very unusual time!”⠀

Brie is a third year Political Science student finishing up her position as the International Student Engagement Intern with the Faculty of Arts. 

“As an Associate Probation Officer, I manage a caseload of offenders who are on probation and pre-trial court orders. Clients report to me in person and I make sure they are following all the conditions of their court orders. As probation officers, we are taught to target each offender’s risk areas with the aim of reducing each offender’s likelihood to re-offend. It can be best described as a blend of social work and enforcement. The goal is to help rehabilitate offenders in the community while also maintaining public safety.⠀ ⠀

I am currently 10 months into this placement and I still learn new things every day about how the criminal justice system works. It allows me to expand upon and apply my criminology and psychology coursework to real life situations. ⠀ ⠀

This experience has taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of doing. This position has been challenging and overcoming those challenges has improved my confidence in my abilities and also shown what areas I have for improvement. As someone interested in a future career in criminal justice and government, the work experience and professional connections I am making are invaluable. In addition, this experience has eased some of my concerns about finding work after graduation and helped me better define my future career goals.”⠀

Katrina Yaskowich is a 3rd year Criminology Student who is currently completing a 16 month AWE work term with Alberta Justice and Solicitor General as an Associate Probation Officer. 

“I am currently a month into my Second term with Indigenous Services Canada. After my first CO-OP with Beaver First Nation, I had the opportunity to work for the Federal Government for Indigenous Services Canada. My current role is a Program Assistant in Lands Management; I deal with issues pertaining to Land Designations (zoning), Permits, and Leases that occur on Reserve land. I mainly assist Lands Officers in administrative tasks such as communications with First Nations, drafting letters and documents, organizing information, and acting in roles such as being a Deputy Electoral Officer for a Land Designation! 

Through my job at ISC, I've been able to gain a better appreciation for Treaty, and the sacred intent of Treaty with the First Nations of Canada. Being part Indigenous (to the Lands of Cambodia) myself, I've been able to deepen my passion for Indigenous communities, and really connect with my roots. Working for ISC has allowed me to apply the skills and knowledge that I've learned in the classroom, and obtain meaningful and genuine experiences that will prepare me for the future. I've been able to attend conferences, such as the Knowing Our Spirits Conference, I went to my first ever Sweatlodge Ceremony, I've participated in Pipe Ceremonies, I've been able to participate in Lateral Violence training, and much more. To me, AWE has allowed me to live half of my dream, and to prepare me for my future in Indigenous Community Planning!”⠀ ⠀

Johnny is a Second Year Urban & Regional Planning Student with a minor in Native Studies, and a Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning. He is currently completing his last Arts Work Experience term with the Government of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada. 

"My first nine months as a psychology intern at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health & Brain Injury (CCMHBI) have been hands down the most fascinating and rewarding months of my life. I have been so incredibly lucky to gain real-life clinical experience at this state of the art and internationally recognized facility. ⠀

Every day, I get to work directly with a phenomenal multidisciplinary team of highly-trained mental-health professionals. I run intake and discharge assessments, have one-on-ones with clients, co-facilitate groups, input data into statistical programs, help plan & update our program. Sometimes I even get to be a part of some intake interviews if I have time! I have loved every minute of it.

The amount of knowledge that I have acquired on numerous mental illnesses is extensive. I can now apply principles learned in textbooks and lectures to real life. I truly feel that I have found my passion and niche in life.⠀

This internship has opened my eyes to just how diverse the scope of mental health and illness is. It has shown me the monumental impact that severe cases of mental illness can have on lives. I realize now how invaluable real-life clinical training is to being an effective and competent mental-health professional. The skills that I have learned in this internship will help me hugely in my future career in psychology. I still find myself in awe of the magnitude of empathy both clients and employees show towards the fight for mental health. I am grateful everyday for being gifted this amazing opportunity and can’t wait to learn more!"⠀

Mataea is a 3rd year B.A. Honours student at the University of Alberta. She is a Psychology Intern at the Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury and is completing a 14 month internship. She looks forward to getting her degree and eventually her Masters in Psychology so that she can work at a facility like Centennial Centre in the future. ⠀ 

“I have had two internships through AWE, both of which challenged me tremendously and have elevated my curiosity to solve societal problems that appear as unsolvable on the surface (so far, this has included issues of accessibility and poverty). My most recent experience took place at the City of Edmonton in the Housing and Homelessness section. Our role in solving homelessness is to create the conditions of success to develop more affordable housing in the city. That said, the portfolio is large, urgent, and politically charged. I felt positively challenged every single day and I had the support of a motivated team. I believe my expectations for the level of care, thoroughness, and empathy toward my work have been raised to levels I did not perceive before. ⠀

I must say, however, that there were plenty of failures, set-backs each week that have taught me so much about myself, what I currently tolerate, and how I may move forward to be more useful to the people around me. Even though university courses have lots of opportunities to fail and learn, internships have aided me more directly in learning about how I collaborate with others, and how I take responsibility in the work setting to move a team or idea forward. AWE has directly shaped who I am today and has set me on a bright path forward, soon-heading out of university and into the world.”

Cooper Csorba is in his fifth year in the School of Urban and Regional Planning. He recently completed an 8-month internship with Housing and Homelessness at the City of Edmonton as a Planning Student. There, he collaborated with a dynamic team of planners, social workers, and analysts to help address the supply gap of affordable housing and work toward a number of initiatives and programs to solve Homelessness in Edmonton. Over the internship, he helped by building materials for public engagement events, gathered evidence through research to inform city council decision making, taught other City of Edmonton sections on the current state of Homelessness, and built a methodology for a new database to keep track of all affordable housing units in Edmonton. 

"As a writer and an English student, I never felt sure what the right path would be for me after completing my degree. In my work placement, I get to use my creative skills in new ways that I never expected. Using skills from my degree like research, writing, and time management has made me far more confident in planning a career after graduation and in marketing myself as an employee. I now know that I’m prepared to be successful."

Katy DeCoste is an Arts student majoring in English at the University of Alberta. She works as an intern with the Faculty of Arts. She is a published poet, sings in the university choir, practices yoga, and loves to bake. 

"I think the most rewarding part about working as a Work Experience Student with Service Canada is that I have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of all Canadians. Through this work term I have been able to refine my time management, and attention to detail skills while helping Canadians receive their benefits. I have had the opportunity to learn about different career paths and opportunities within the Public Service sector and I'm looking forward to hopefully transitioning into a full-time role when I graduate."

Dylan Nixon is a fourth-year English Major at the University of Alberta. He spent his first work-term in Service Canada's Benefits Delivery Department through the Federal Student Work Experience Program. 

“I started my college years at home in Montreal, as a Liberal Arts and Political Science student. After having received my diploma from CEGEP, I continued on with my undergrad as a second-year Urban Planning student.I soon realized how hard it is to find an accredited Urban Planning program, also offering paid work experience, in Canada. Just like that, I moved across the country for the opportunities UofA had to offer, especially AWE. 

The leap of faith was by far the most rewarding decision I’ve made for my academic and professional growth. The world of refining resumes, cover letters, interview prep, networking and “developing industry knowledge” was new to me. From the start, AWE coordinators continuously took the one-on-one time to help make my transition effortless. A year into my move, I was selected for an internship with the City of Edmonton. I’m 3 months into my term and I feel like I’m finally gaining a well-rounded understanding of my field; it’s inspired enthusiasm and an invaluable sense of security in my abilities.”

Inderjit Chhina is a 4th year Arts student at the School of Urban and Regional Planning. She is currently completing an 8 month internship with the City of Edmonton as a Facilities Planner for the Parks and Roads Services Branch. Inderjit is also a Research Assistant for Dr. Agrawal's pan-Canadian study exploring municipal planning decisions and human rights. She looks forward to further building her exposure to the various sectors that exist in Urban Planning and finishing up her degree in 2021. 

"When I first started working with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, I was very nervous because I am not an expert in this field, but that did not hold me back from being able to do meaningful work. I am having an amazing time learning about the Environmental Assessment Process and being a part of something that is important to me. Arts Work Experience has allowed me to gain experience in different careers and understand the diverse opportunities available for people with Bachelor of Arts Degrees."

Jocelynn Proulx is a Criminology major at the University of Alberta. She is completing a work term as an Assessment Officer and Consultation Analyst with the Government of Canada, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. 

"I am so grateful for this opportunity to work with Children’s Services. Through AWE, I have developed a deeper understanding of government legislation, policy development, and program evaluation. I’ve also gained practical experience with data visualization, data analytics, using programming languages in a workplace environment. I am still only halfway through my internship experience, but I feel like there is still so much more to learn. Thanks to the AWE program, I am absolutely ecstatic to see what the future has in store for me."

Mark Soriano is a Psychology major at the University of Alberta. In his spare time he enjoys visits to the Art Gallery of Alberta, going for nature walks, and volunteering in supportive listening agencies. He is a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and de-stigmatizing discussions around mental illness.