You can gain work experience while still in university. It is a great way to get a head start in your career and prepare for life after graduation. Listed below are some paid opportunities for students where they could gain relevant career experience.

FSWEP’s Indigenous Student Employment Program

The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is a large-scale student employment inventory where post-secondary students can find employment within their fields of choice in the federal government. The Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity is a program only available to Indigenous students.

Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP)

The Indigenous Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is a paid internship that runs for 12 months for Indigenous youth aged 19-29 living in British Columbia. Selected interns will work in a government ministry for nine months before being placed in an Indigenous organization for another three months. The work includes conducting research, community engagement, policy and program development, negotiations, and more.

RBC Indigenous Summer Internship Program

The RBC Indigenous Summer Internship Program is perfect for students looking for experience within the private sector, an internship with RBC allows students to work in finance, sales and services, IT, marketing, HR, and more. Interns will also be assigned a mentor to help them receive one-on-one teaching.

APTN Internship and Work Experience

An internship with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network allows students to get some hands-on experience in television broadcasting while engaging in Indigenous culture.

Suncor Indigenous Student Program

An Alberta-based integrated energy company, Suncor’s Indigenous Student Program has postings all over Canada in fields such as engineering, accounting/finance, supply chain management, HR, environmental health and safety, and operations.