Real-world Experience

Seneca believes in creating great student experiences that provide enriching learning opportunities — both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes immersing yourself in the workplace as part of a work term or field placement or expanding your skillset by studying abroad. These enriching experiences will give you an edge when you enter the workforce or pursue further studies.

Work-Integrated Learning

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) will give you a chance to put into practise the skills and knowledge you have gained in the classroom. Many of our programs offer an optional work term for qualified students, while our degree programs include a mandatory work term.

Heather Hyde spent a summer working as an events co-ordinator at the Air Canada Centre (currently Scotiabank Arena) during a co-op work term in the Business Administration – Marketing program. As part of the live events team with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, she spent four months working on events for musical acts like Britney Spears, the Foo Fighters and Kid Rock, and gained valuable industry experience.

While studying in the Honours Bachelor of Commerce – International Accounting & Finance program, Reynold Choi pursued his co-op work term at a prestigious Toronto accounting firm where he filed more than 300 returns for clients. This experience led to him being hired upon graduation and then moving to an accounting associate position at the renowned firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

Sue is a graduate of the School of Early Childhood Education and works as a supervisor at an agency that supports women and children in having violence-free lives. “Graduating from Seneca propelled me to success. My program not only offered in-depth exploration of theories and concepts relating to supporting children and their families, I also was able to build practical skills through my placement and co-op experiences.”

Field Placement

Some academic programs include field placements that are typically unpaid but provide an opportunity to gain essential experience in the workplace. During your placement, you will also build a network of professional contacts within the industry and enhance your resumé — both of which will be invaluable resources upon launching your career.

Natalee Johnson completed her field placement for the Early Childhood Education program at Springdale Public School in Brampton, Ont. After graduation, she was hired on as a registered Early Childhood Educator for a full-day kindergarten class. She was partnered with a teacher in a classroom of 20 students to watch over their social and emotional development.

Sharron Spencer is a graduate of the Social Service Worker – Gerontology program. “Seneca’s program not only taught me the theoretical content that I needed to become a working professional in my field, it challenged me to grow personally. The practicum portion of the program helped me to develop the practical tools needed and gave me hands-on work experience. The faculty is supportive and works with students to encourage success and continues to be a valuable resource and support after graduation.”

Study Abroad

Studying in another country can be an incredible experience with new environments, fascinating cultures and life-long friends. As a Seneca student, you can earn credits, complete your co-op requirements and receive financial support while you participate in a global opportunity.

Reecha Patel is a graduate of the former Tourism – Services Management (Flight Services) program. During her studies, she also participated in the Mobile Intensive Learning Experience. "There is only so much you can learn from textbooks, classroom lectures and the Internet. These things will surely broaden your academic knowledge. However, if you want to learn about life, nothing is more enriching than travel. What you learn through real-life experiences is endless and incomparable. It is one thing to be taught something and the complete opposite when you experience it."

Seneca Innovation

Seneca Innovation supports the applied research, innovation and entrepreneurship activities at Seneca. We are here to help enable the innovation economy and community well-being by providing practical solutions to real-world challenges.

Applied Research

Our applied research program is relevant to industry, driven by faculty, and focused on students. Seneca ARIE is the single point of access for industry and/or community partners who wish to engage in economically, socially and educationally relevant collaborative, applied research projects with Seneca faculty and students. We help our partners access Seneca resources, including the expertise of highly qualified personnel (faculty, staff and students), research infrastructure, and funding opportunities, many of which are available only through collaboration with Seneca.

Entrepreneurship

Solving real world challenges with venture and design thinking

HELIX is dedicated to developing the entrepreneurial mindset. We accomplish this by providing knowledge, mentorship, sessions, workspace, access to like-minded peer community, and experiential opportunities. HELIX focuses on two important outcomes:

1. The development and launch of successful, scalable and sustainable, young entrepreneur-led ventures.

2. Nurturing the entrepreneurial mind set to allow participants to become intrapreneurs and innovate from within companies.

The HELIX space is physically located at Seneca’s Newnham campus but it runs programs at the other Seneca campuses, as well as in the broader Toronto and York Region community. There are no fees to the programs HELIX runs and it does not take any equity from startups.

The two stage HELIX program begins with the INNOVATION Strand, which is a series of entrepreneurial workshops and sector-specific support activities. The next step is the ACCELERATION Strand, providing further opportunity for dedicated enrolment in HELIX incubation activities and mentorship

New Ventures Pitch into ACCELERATION

On December 2, 58 participants of HELIX’s Fall 2019 INNOVATION Strand pitched their venture ideas into ACCELERATION.

HELIX Coaches and Mentors joined the event adding their expertise in support of the new entrepreneurs. These HELIXers started their ACCELERATION Strand development activities in January 2020.

First Peroples@Seneca

A Place of Activity and Growth

People from all nations – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – are welcome to our events and to use our services. We offer our services to students in culturally appropriate ways to create genuine understandings and to learn more about Indigenous Peoples.

What We Offer

At First Peoples@Seneca, we offer advisement, study spaces, tutoring, cultural and social events, resources, clubs and more.