into the WILderness

We're back with the third and final chapter in the CEWIL Conference Chronicles! A 3 part series of short episodes recorded live during the 2025 CEWIL Canada Conference in Hamilton, ON. Spoiler alert if you didn't look at the runtime, this one isn't short! It's not everyday you get to sit across the recording desk from someone who currently works in a role you once held. On this episode I sit down with Jason Causarano, Experiential Education Coordinator for the Faculty of Mathematics and Science at Brock University, to chat about the ways he has been growing WIL at the Grad level of Science education. As a trained biotechnologist, he draws on the pivotal decision to pause his own Master's studies in favour of gaining industry experience - an experience that now fuels his commitment to shaping meaningful, real-world learning opportunities for today's graduate science students.Guest: Jason Causarano, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON"Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

We're back with part 2 in the CEWIL Conference Chronicles! A 3 part series of short episodes captured live during the 2025 CEWIL Canada Conference in Hamilton, ON.On this episode I sit down with published experiential education researcher and fellow podcaster, Dr. Bill Heinrich. Many impromptu talks in hotel lobbies, conference presentation halls and dinner conversations finally lead to us hitting the record button on 28 minutes all about reflective practice!Check out Bill's Podcast; Mindset in MotionGuest: Bill Heinrich, Director of Mindset, Symplicity"Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Welcome to the CEWIL Conference Chronicles! A 3 part series of short episodes captured live during the 2025 CEWIL Canada Conference in Hamilton, ON. On this episode I sit down with long time friend of the show, David DiPietro as he prepares for his conference presentation on The Innovation Mentorship Program - an annual experiential learning project where NC students, faculty and staff, collaborate with local high school students to provide real world solutions to industry partners. It's an extremely innovative way to help combat the ever growing challenge of post secondary enrollment.Guest: David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, Niagara College, ON"Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

It's been one year to the day since the last episode dropped and I'm thrilled to announce we're back for Season 5! To celebrate the National Day of WIL, we've got a special episode queued up with 4 absolutely outstanding and inspiring students. Tune in and listen to their stories, hear about their WIL journeys and share in their accomplishments this year.Guests: Phoenix Seelochan, University of Toronto // Yui Mikuriya, University of British Columbia // Quinlin Lawrynowicz, Sheridan College // Ediah Jauforally, Sheridan College"Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

To celebrate the National Day of WIL, we're back with Season 4! I'm kicking off this season by diving deeper into the stories of CEWIL Canada's 2023 Students of the Year. First up is Jayde Medland (College and CEGEP, Co-op), who is a recent graduate of Algonquin College's Interactive Media Design program and is currently a Communications Officer with Natural Resources Canada. On this episode we dive into Jayde's journey from first year Psych student to passionate media enthusiast. It's a road filled with uncertainty, change, discovery and support. Guest: Jayde Medland, Communications Officer, Natural Resources Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Sept. 26, 2023 marks 50 years for CEWIL Canada. From its origins as CAFCE in 1973 with a small group of passionate individuals to the leading organization on all things Work-Integrated Learning in Canada, it's been a journey. It's important to reflect on these 50 years, celebrate the successes and identify where positive change can be made. You don't exist as an organization for this long without earning the trust of your members and the people you serve. On this episode I sit down with Stan Chung to talk about building trust, the importance of the "check-in", aligning equity in strategy and operations, colonial power structures in higher ed. including a mindful critique of land acknowledgements, and how to enact change through indigenous informed EDI. Guest: Sae Hoon "Stan" Chung "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

It's been almost two years since I got my boots dirty in the Ag-tech industry and chatted all things agriculture with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). Joining Jennifer Wright on this episode is Sean Rudd, co-founder of Korotu, a software company that turns remote sensing data into actionable nature-based solutions that are helping to combat climate change - it's A.I. revolutionizing farming, one crop at a time. We also explore skills translation, challenges in the industry and encouraging students to think beyond their degree titles. Guests: Jennifer Wright, Executive Director, CAHRC // Sean Rudd, Co-Founder & CEO, Korotu "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Live from the 2023 CEWIL Conference in Halifax, NS, I sit down with Cara Krezek and Anne Marie Fannon fresh off a feisty debate in their session about making changes to the way CEWIL Canada accredits cooperative education programs in this country. The crux of this discussion focusses on two main points, ensuring a student ends on an academic term and the notion of part-time co-op. Guests: Cara Krezek, Director, Co-op, Career and Experiential Education, Brock University, ON // Anne Marie Fannon, Director, Work-Learn Institute, University of Waterloo, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Live from the 2023 CEWIL Conference in Halifax, NS, I sit down with Julia Zhu, Associate Director of Cooperative Education at Brock University to explore how she and her team are taking co-op beyond the work term. We chat career competencies, skills translation and debrief her session on building a sustainable staffing model to support this enhanced approach to cooperative education. Guest: Julia Zhu, Associate Director of Cooperative Education, Brock University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Live from the 2023 CEWIL Conference in Halifax, NS, I sit down with Cherine Zananiri, Director of Experiential Learning and Co-operative Education at Concordia University to talk about their Beat the Odds Internship program - an inclusive and flexible internship program that levels the playing field for students in need. Guest: Cherine Zananiri, Concordia University, QC "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Live from the 2023 CEWIL Conference in Halifax, NS, I sit down with Cora Dupuis, Co-op Coordinator at Brandon University and Ph.D. student in Educational Studies at Brock University who is researching what we know (and don't know) about Co-op Supervisors. We chat about existing research in this area, what motivates someone to become a co-op supervisor and what institutions can do to better prepare first time supervisors. Guest: Cora Dupuis, Co-op Coordinator, Brandon University, MB "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Live from the 2023 CEWIL Conference, I sit down with one of our sponsors, Elina Chow, Founder of Jot Tech - a networking app that lets you build strong relationships and eliminate the post conference admin work of laying business cards on a table trying to remember who each belongs to. On this episode, we discuss the origins of the platform, how it can fill a need with today's student and other areas where the platform can be of value. Want to connect with Elina directly, find her on Jot by clicking here: https://app.jotjotjot.ca/qr/elina Download the Jot app today: https://onelink.to/wyhr59 "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

It's National WIL month for us here in Canada with this year's theme #WILinternational - tag it in your posts!! That means another virtual flight for me and this time my boarding pass lands me in Wollongong, Australia where the weather is lovely this time of year. On this episode I am joined by the wonderful Michelle Eady, Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of Wollongong Australia. We chat institutional frameworks for scaffolding WIL across degree, what's changed in the world of e-teaching and I pose the question "Is Higher Ed is prepping teachers to actually build WIL into their future classrooms or not?". Michelle's extensive background with Indigenous communities also provides invaluable insights on engaging with Indigenous students, building frameworks, having conversations and the most important aspects of WIL for everyone. Guest: Michelle Eady, Associate Professor, Wollongong, AU "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Just over a year ago, I looked into Canada's tourism and hospitality industry to find out how it was trying to recover and the role that WIL played in getting more students and new grads into this sector. Fast forward to today and it's still very much in a state of recovery, but in a better place than it was in early 2022. I am joined once again by Joe Baker to discuss Tourism HR Canada's role in the national conversation. On this episode we talk the return to in person business events, the rise of hotel and restaurant alternatives, and how to achieve a sustainable workforce in the future. I also share my deep frustration with home delivery ice cream. Guest: Joe Baker, Tourism HR Candada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

How do you celebrate the career of someone who has spent 36 years in the wilderness that is Work Integrated Learning? You dedicate an entire episode of your WIL podcast to them, that's how! On this episode I am joined by the one and only Scott Davis, who, after 36 years at the University of Waterloo is trading in his office for an Adirondack, his parking spot for a bike trail and his daily dose of meetings for some R&R. When you go from student to employee at the same institution, after a lengthy career you have a lot of stories to share and today we relive only a handful of those memories. He’s helped students navigate their career journeys for over three decades, aided in a marriage proposal for a former campus recruiter and even fell in love with, and married, a colleague. Most importantly, he was on the very first episode of this show! Today we chat early day challenges in WIL, involvement with multiple organizations and what lies on the road ahead.  Guest: Scott Davis, Retired, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

There’s something to be said about gaining actual experience in your field of study prior to graduating. It’s helpful on a number of levels; do I like this? Do I dislike it? Do I have a full understanding of what’s involved in this industry/sector? Are there other avenues I could explore or paths I could take? With some disciplines, it’s extremely difficult to get answers to these questions without WIL. There is perhaps no better example than in Psychology. You can’t sit down and assess patients as a student, you need certifications. It’s challenging, you end up working in those offices, but on the peripheral. Well at StFx in Antigonish, NS, they’re saying…not anymore! On this episode I explore an innovative WIL program where students in StFX's Applied Forensic Psychology program partner with the Correctional Service of Canada to obtain first hand experience working in their field. Guest: Ryanne Chisholm, Practicum Coordinator, Applied Forensic Psychology, St. Francis Xavier University, NS "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

As we near the end of 2022, I am joined once again by my amazing co-host Charlene Marion to recap the year that was! It's our very own top 10, CEWIL style. Tune in for a quick recap of our favourite highlights from the last 365 - all of which can be summarized in one word, EXCITING! There's a ton for me to be thankful for this holiday season, including the amazing team at CEWIL Canada and to all of you for continuing to listen and engage. Here's to a great 2022 and an even better 2023, we'll see you in the new year! Co-Host; Charlene Marion, Executive Director, CEWIL Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Since Feb. 2021, CEWIL Canada has been distributing funding nationwide through The CEWIL iHub! It operates as a centre of expertise that provides grant-based funding to enable and promote curricular work-integrated learning (WIL) focusing primarily on industry projects, entrepreneurial WIL, field placements and service learning. This partnership with the Government of Canada's Innovative WIL program includes $16.3 million to grow WIL across this country! So to kick off a new series of episodes, I will be sifting through the iHub vault and sharing the stories and WIL opportunities that have been created by some amazing WIL practitioners. Have you ever wondered if you could study Biology, learn everything you can about human cells, viruses, disease, pack your lab coat in your backpack and head into the studio to help design...a video game??? On this episode I uncover the backstory that went into developing Cells at War, a collaborative educational biology-based video game project from George Brown College and McMaster University students. By bringing together students from multiple programs, different years of study and a wide array of skills, an innovate WIL opportunity was born. Guests: Rosa da Silva, Associate Professor of Biology, McMaster University, ON // Jean-Paul Amore, Program Coordinator for Entertainment Programs, George Brown College, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

It's not a secret that non-profit organizations (NPOs) stand to benefit from engaging in WIL just as much, if not more, than their for-profit counterparts. However there are a significant number of challenges that often emerge when partnering with NPOs or that prevent the partnership in the first place. This is further complicated the farther you get from a metropolitan hub that houses some NPO "head offices". What about Indigenous NPOs? Another layer of complexity. Add this all up and you've got quite the investigation on your hands - how do you navigate WIL in the Non-Profit Sector in Northern Canada? My guest this week just happened to do her PhD dissertation on that exact topic! On this episode we discuss partnering with NPOs, how to better prepare them for WIL, how to better prepare your students, the role WIL plays in prepping students for the future, and the role Indigenous NPOs feel they need to play. All this and I accept the fact that I will never play water polo. Guest: Dr. Amelia Merrick, Acting Dean of ACCESS and Continuing Education, College of New Caledonia, Prince George, BC "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

When I kicked off Season 2 I mentioned I would be joined by some co-hosts to get into the weeds on some more opinion driven topics. After some technical difficulties and scheduling conflicts, I am pleased to welcome David DiPietro back to the show in the co-host seat. Fresh into his new role as Manager, Business Development at Niagara College, David joins me to have an honest conversation about our preference when it comes to optional or mandatory WIL. Sure, there's room for both, but we each put our foot down and make a stand. We cover different WIL types and different scenarios, exploring pros and cons of each, faculty implications, student perceptions and everything in between. Whether you're looking for validation on your own opinion or looking for a reason to yell at your radio/phone, tune in to find out our thoughts on the topic. Guest: David DiPietro, Manager, Business Development, Niagara College, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

A few episodes ago I went International for the first time and sat down with Dr. Trevor Gerhardt. On that episode he introduced me to an alternative learning pathway called Degree Apprenticeships – I said, why don’t we have these in Canada? Some things have an odd way of timing out as literally two days later I’m reading an article in the Toronto Star about how Degree Apprenticeships could solve Canada’s tech shortage. I’ve since brought up the concept with people in multiple industries including Electricity, Tourism, Manufacturing and Agriculture – their response is all the same; Where do I sign up for this? Well today we get answers to those questions, today we talk about Canadian Degree Apprenticeships or Work-Integrated Degree Programs. Read more about Work-Integrated Degree Programs by clicking here Guest: Dr. Jane Goodyer, Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

For many practitioners in the WIL space there’s an underlying goal that by participating in WIL, students will discover a passion and/or find their way into the world of work. Strong evidence of this exists in co-op but other forms of WIL don’t have as direct a link. Now every once and a while it happens, a student connects with a community partner, and project, an internship host and an opportunity presents itself where that experience turns into a full time gig. On this episode I sit down with two guests from St. Thomas University (STU). One, a former student who turned WIL into a workplace and the other the Manager of Experiential Learning and Career Development who was once an International Student herself. Together we chat about the WIL journey of a student, using elective courses to explore options and long haired cats. Guests: Kelly Green, Marketing Coordinator, The Gaia Project // Clara Santacruz, Manager of the Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development, St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

I've often heard stories about this WIL utopia where students from any program, any discipline can unite in one curricular course, work together, obtain course credit and benefit their community - all while developing and strengthening their skills, setting them up for their future after graduation. Turns out this ideal scenario exists at York University and it's called C4! On this episode I sit down with Danielle Robinson, Associate Professor and Co-Founder of C4 - The Cross-Campus Capstone Classroom to talk how it was built from the ground up, how she obtained faculty buy-in, what a typical semester looks like and much much more. If you're into innovative WIL, don't miss this one!! More info on York U's C4 can be found here Guest: Danielle Robinson, Associate Professor, York University, Ontario CA "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Late September is the official launch of Recruitment SZN on post secondary campuses across the country. The reasoning behind why students select a school is one of the great mysteries of our time...well, not really, there are trends. So I wondered, where does Work Integrated Learning fall on the priority list of a prospective student? How do schools leverage WIL during the recruitment window, or do they? How can WIL practitioners better "sell" their WIL programing? If everyone is marching to the beat of the same drum, how can you separate your institution from the others? These things keep me up at night!! Joining me on this episode is Matt Melnyk, Director of Student Recruitment at Brock University. Matt is a seasoned vet in the student recruitment space and gives me the honest answers I've been searching for. Tune in to find out the secret to using WIL to recruit students! Guest: Matt Melnyk, Director of Student Recruitment, Brock University, ON, Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

A first for the show - I'm going across the pond to London, England...well figuratively speaking. Canada is a big country and has some pretty amazing people, but we aren't the only ones doing cool and innovative things when it comes to WIL. This week I sit down with Dr. Trevor Gerhardt, Lead Academic on Work Integrated Learning at Pearson College and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy to give us a snapshot of WIL in the UK. Trevor shares his passion for work integrated learning, experiences growing up in South Africa, degree apprenticeships, organizing an unconference and why he thinks his podcast is better than mine. Guest: Dr. Trevor Gerhardt, Lead Academic on Work Integrated Learning at Pearson College. Check out his podcast here to explore the intersection between work and learning. "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

When it comes to WIL and students, statistics/trends tell a story, and a complicated one at that. It’s a summation of their perceived reality of the world around them (educational factors, internal factors, external factors). They put this all together to help inform what they will do when they walk out the door of your PSI for the last time. On this episode I sit down with Graham Donald, Founder and President of Brainstorm Strategy Group to discuss their work sorting and sifting through the numbers to tell the Career Development story across the country. What are students telling us? What are some emerging trends with WIL? How does this translate to industry? And most importantly, why does it matter? We also discuss why Career Development offices are taking a back seat to other areas on campus and what we learned in Grade 10. Guest: Graham Donald, Founder and CEO, Brainstorm Strategy Group "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife 

WE'RE BAAAACCKKKK!! Season 2 kicks off in style with my new part time co-host Charlene Marion. On this episode we explore the concept of adding work integrated learning to prep courses like those seen in cooperative education programs. We talk about why this has been shown to increase retention of students, challenges around students finding their own opportunities, exposing students to WIL early and whatever else popped into our heads on this morning.  "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Explaining experiential learning and work integrated learning is not as simple as one may think. The approach and way you do it must be tailored to your audience; students, faculty, employers, community partners. On this episode I dive into how we talk about WIL and uncover an approach that is resonating with students - at least those born before the year 2002. Is it possible that the three critical components of experiential learning, academic content, an authentic experience, and reflection can be closely linked to three highly powerful magical objects? Guest: Sarah King, Director of Experiential Education, University of New Brunswick, NB "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

25,000+ students, 7100+ employers, 60+ countries. The University of Waterloo boasts the largest cooperative education program in the world! We're going big to kick off National Co-op and WIL month here at CEWIL. On this episode I explore how Waterloo grew from its co-op roots in 1957 to the machine it is today. It hasn't come without its fair share of changes and challenges including a large department reorganization and my guest walks me through how his team navigated this journey. We also chat about co-op fees, the emergence of virtual work terms, virtual site visits and the future of cooperative education. Guest: Ross Johnston, Executive Director, Cooperative Education, University of Waterloo, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

I've discussed a number of barriers to work-integrated learning on previous episodes, but this one gets to the very core especially when it comes to course-based WIL. Faculty members and instructors typically hold the keys to their own courses and introducing a new WIL component takes time and thoughtful consideration. It also can require assistance, from another staff member, a community partner or a combination of the two. On this episode I dive into a handful of barriers that presented themselves at a research-heavy institution when the goal was set to get 100% of management students at least one WIL experience before graduation. Apologies to Matt Damon, we ran out of time. Guests: Christine Arsenault, Managing Director of Management, University of Toronto Scarborough, ON // Dave Fenton, Lead Industry Partnerships, Innovation and WIL, University of Toronto Scarborough, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

It's the age old question...well maybe not "age-old" but it's been floating around for a while; does the number of work experiences and WIL opportunities lead to greater employability in students? This week I revisit the topic of competency development and my guest helps unpack some of his latest research in the attempt to answer that question. Is it an exact science? Does more WIL mean more job opportunities? Or is it deeper, more complex than that? Is it, perhaps, more deeply rooted in lifelong learning and the notion of quality over quantity?  Guest: Dave Drewery, Senior Research Associate, Work-Learn Institute, University of Waterloo, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Despite all the planning and expectations ironed out well in advance, there are times when a community partner or employer situation just isn't working out. Sometimes you can ride it out until the end of the course or work term, but other times require an intervention and in some cases, a termination of that relationship mid project or mid work term - often an tough conversation to have! On this episode my guest and I explore multiple examples of when this has happened to us and offer up some strategies and best practices if you find yourselves dealing with this difficult situation. Guest: David Di Pietro, Senior Experiential Education Coordinator, Brock University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Irish novelist Samuel Beckett once said "Words are all we have", well on this episode I dive into one of those words that seems to be a fixture in the Work Integrated Learning space; Placement or Placements. Starting with the definition of the word and moving along to why this word can lead to assumptions, misunderstandings and potential issues, especially when it comes to Co-operative Education. So let's take a leap forward and stop using this word...just like the leap my guest took while bungee jumping in New Zealand! Guest: Robert Wooden, Director of Management and Career Services, Dalhousie University, NS "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

WE'RE BAAAACK! It's our first episode of 2022 and we're picking up right where we left off. This week I sit down with Trucking HR Canada to talk about the recent federal vaccine mandate on Canadian truck drivers, the 23,000 job vacancies across trucking and logistics, student talent opportunities and improving HR best practices across the industry.  For more information about Trucking HR Canada and their funding opportunities, check out their website.  Guest Angela Splinter, CEO, Trucking HR Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

We've discussed external barriers to WIL, but we've never taken an inward look at institutions when they become the barrier. That changes today! On this episode I'm joined by Charlene Marion - Director of WIL, CEWIL Canada to have an open an honest conversation of our experiences in the WIL space and how post secondary institutions can become the barrier to new and innovative types of WIL. It's not all doom and gloom though, we dive into many highlights and ways that WIL champions have navigated around these barriers to make an impact on their students and communities. "Fallen Leaves" - Electric Wildlife

Growing plants in your backyard is something, growing careers in the agriculture sector is something else! On this episode I sit down with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to talk about their AgriTalent program and the Ag-tech industry. We chat about the challenges finding good talent, the intense labour shortage the industry is facing, and how to expand student awareness to other parts of the sector. For more information on the AgriTalent program and funding check out their website. Guests: Jennifer Wright, Director Operations, Programs and Partnerships, CAHRC // Colleen Coats, VP of People and Culture, Farmer's Edge "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Prior to March 2020, remote work terms were a rarity, an exception to the norm. Fast forward 20 months and they have become a staple in co-op programs across the country. On this episode we explore the assumptions, realizations and new realities of remote work terms; how they have reduced barriers to access and levelled the playing field for students. While there is no black and white solution, we discuss best practices, new hybrid models and how trust in your employees is critical to the entire process. Guests; John Daggett - Manager, Co-operative Education and Career Success, Georgian College, ON // Ryan Larouche - Talent Partnerships Consultant, Brock University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

At CEWIL we have defined 9 types of curricular WIL. While they all look a little different at each institution, there is consistency at the core of each type. This episode dives into the world of Community and Industry Research and Projects (CIRPS) to explore best practices, cultivating and nurturing community relationships and discovering what makes this type of WIL so interesting and innovative. We also have a healthy conversation about pet ownership and how many shoes is too many shoes! Guests; Ashley Nguyen - College Innovation Network Coordinator, College of the North Atlantic, N.L. // David DiPietro - Senior Experiential Education Coordinator, Brock University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Championing the end-to-end career of environmental professionals is no small task. On this episode I sit down with ECO Canada to talk about their Student Work Placement Program, training and mentorship and the value of obtaining program accreditation. For more information on ECO Canada's SWP Program and funding check out their website Guests: Sarah Casorso - Senior Manager, Employment Programs, ECO Canada  // Yana Jay - Senior Manager, Marketing & Sales, ECO Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

CEWIL Canada has seen a lot of changes over the past two years! As the organization prepares for it's Annual General Meeting (AGM) it's time to reflect back on these changes and look forward. On this episode I sit down with the current President and President-Elect of CEWIL Canada to chat about challenges, rewarding moments, insights for those looking to get involved, celebrity cooking and e-gaming. Guests: Cara Krezek - CEWIL Canada President, Director, Co-op, Career and Experiential Education, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON // Dr. Matt Rempel - CEWIL Canada President-Elect, Director, Career-Integrated Learning, Sheridan College, Oakville, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

If you want insights into an industry that literally keeps the lights on in this country - this one is for you! On this episode I sit down with Electricity HR Canada (EHRC) to talk about their Empowering Futures program, discuss the unique competency framework they have developed, and take a deep dive into the electricity industry and the vast array of opportunities that exist for students and new grads - they don't stop at the meter! For more information on the Empowering Futures program and funding check out their website. Guest: Mark Chapeskie, VP of Program Development, EHRC "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

At CEWIL we have defined 9 types of curricular WIL. While they all look a little different at each institution, there is consistency at the core of each type. This episode dives into the world of Community Service Learning (CSL) and Community Engaged Learning (CEL) to uncover some of the truths behind this type of learning, explore the nuances of the terms themselves and question if they are truly a type of WIL or not.  Guests; Dr. David Peacock - Director, Community Service Learning Program, University of Alberta, AB // Rhianna Nagel - Community Engaged Learning Coordinator, University of Victoria, BC "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted a number of industries across the country and the tourism & hospitality industry is near, if not at the top of that list. The challenge now is how to address the labour crisis this industry is facing. On this episode I sit down with one of the newest Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) partners, Tourism HR Canada, and talk funding opportunities, COVID impact, empathy, workplace culture and most importantly - where WIL fits in this industry. For more information on the Propel program and funding check out their website or watch their most recent webinar. Guest: Joe Baker, Director, Tourism HR Canada "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

WIL often leads to the development of new skills or the strengthening of existing ones. The challenge for students is realizing this in the moment and taking the time to reflect. On this episode we explore the challenges that arise for students when trying to articulate skills and competencies on their resumes and during interviews, exploring solutions and different strategies for WIL practitioners and educators along the way.  Guests; Kerri Zold - Manager, Career Development and Experiential Learning, University of Windsor, ON // Laura Fyfe - Skills Translation Coordinator, Brock University, ON "Fallen Leaves" by Electric Wildlife

Join Dan Lonergan as he takes a deeper dive into the world of Work Integrated Learning (WIL).  Before diving into WIL, we take a step back and talk about what WIL is, what it means, who’s involved, and what it means for industry and WIL partners. Guests Dr. Nancy Johnston - Past President of WACE, former Vice Provost, Students, Simon Fraser University, BC // Scott Davis - Faculty Relations Manager, University of Waterloo, ON "Fallen Leaves" - by Electric Wildlife