STUxRBC Internship Scholars Make an Impact this Summer
The Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development’s STUxRBC Internship program successfully launched this summer, giving four students the opportunity to earn professional experience, clarify career goals, gain perspective, and develop transferable skills.
The STUxRBC Internship scholarship allows students to propose their own internship placement with an employer of their choice anywhere in Atlantic Canada. Each student is awarded $9000 to cover full-time wages for a 14-week period, and a stipend to help with housing and travel.
A Life-changing Experience
Recent STU graduate Rachelle Wilby gained a full-time position with the organization where she completed her placement.
“It changed my life,” said Wilby, who worked with the Crime Prevention Association of New Brunswick this summer.
“I really enjoyed that this program was focused on your career goals,” said Wilby. “It prioritized what you were studying or what you are interested in doing after school.”
The self-led nature of the placement allowed Wilby to follow her own interests and passions, which developed into a full-time career.
Gaining Experience in the Field
Another RBC Scholar, fourth-year student Minahil Fatima, worked with immigrant and refugee youth at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton. She created a program for students in their final year of high school who are looking to develop professional skills.
Fatima said she wanted to help newcomers consider all their career options after high school through her placement.
“I created a 6-week program, with activities ranging from resumes and cover letter workshops, university visits, financial literacy workshops, food handling—all skills that can strengthen their resume before they start university,” said Fatima.
The internship allowed Fatima to gain concrete experience in her field as an honours student in International Relations.
“Now, when I’m applying to grad schools, I can say that I created something completely from scratch that was a success.”
Clarifying Career Goals
Fourth-year student Pablo Costa said his STUxRBC internship with the New Brunswick Multicultural Council was a clarifying experience.
“I really enjoyed my placement. I love the people, I love the connections that I've made, and it also has helped me clarify where I'm going next,” he said.
As a French major, Costa applied his learning during his work with French communities. He took part in conversation circles and language classes with newcomers to the province, as well as administrative work. He said the internship taught him more about his work preferences.
Costa said he learned he loves the social aspect of his work and wants to work directly with people in the future.
“I love teaching and I love learning."
Because of this experience, Costa has shifted his future graduate school plans.
“I’m really glad that I got that experience now, so I know that I'm not going to apply to a program that I won’t be fulfilled in, '' said Costa. “During university it’s all about exploring and trying a lot of things.”
Eye-Opening Opportunities
Second-year student Emily Bessey chose to go to Prince Edward Island for her internship as the Child Life Programming intern with Camp Triumph, a summer camp for children who have a parent or sibling living with a chronic illness or disability.
Bessey described her experience as “eye-opening and insightful.”
She developed programming and resources to better support campers and their families year-round. She said this internship allowed her to “gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of chronic illness on children, as well as learn important skills such as problem solving, communication, and creative thinking.”
These opportunities were facilitated thanks to the RBC Future Launch initiative.