Work-integrated learning definitions

Cambrian programs blend academic learning, hands-on training, and community involvement opportunities to help you achieve your ultimate goal – your dream career.

You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios within and outside of the classroom through work-integrated learning. Whether it be a capstone project, co-op, practicum, preceptorship component, or placement, you’ll benefit from a practical, job-related experience before you graduate. Learn more about the differences!

Co-operative education (co-ops) integrates on-the-job work experience with on-campus study. Co-ops are generally four months in duration and will integrate your academic study with on-the-job work experience. It allows you to obtain professional experience in your specific field of study.

This is done by alternating periods of on-campus study with work experience in business, industry, and/or government. Co-ops help to bridge the gap between the classroom and work environments. Typically you alternate periods of experience where you’ll engage in productive work (not just observation) and you’ll receive payment for your work. The work terms are evaluated by both the college and the employer to promote maximum learning on the part of the student.

Mandatory co-ops

Please note the following programs include mandatory co-ops:

• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Chemical Engineering Technology – Lab and Process Control
• Global Business Management
• Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours BBA)
• Mining Engineering Technology

 

Your program may give you the opportunity to gain practical work experience through a fieldwork or placement component. These are unpaid placements and vary in length from program to program.

For you, this means:

• Practical, relevant work experience before graduation – a significant asset in today’s competitive job market
• A better understanding of classroom theory and its applications to the working environment
• Increased self-confidence and maturity
• Increased communication and decision-making skills
• Access to the most up-to-date facilities
• First-hand experience with current policies, procedures, and technologies
• An increased awareness of potential career paths
• Enhanced employment opportunities and valuable job contacts

For the employer, it means:

• An excellent source of graduates with relevant on-the-job experience
• An opportunity to pre-screen potential employees for permanent positions and thus lower recruitment and training costs
• An opportunity to play an active role in the educational process which, in turn, provides better qualified personnel for the future
• An effective means of satisfying short-term personnel needs and freeing highly paid personnel for other assignments

You may be offered a capstone project in your program. This is a culminating project or course where you demonstrate that you have mastered the learning outcomes for your program.

If you have a preceptorship as part of your program, you will be assigned an agency preceptor for one-on-one learning. The learning occurs at the agency site and you are not remunerated.