Mt. A is not just a space for academic excellence, but also a space for professional success. Kaelan Ruddick, Manager of Experiential Learning at Mt. A, plays a crucial role in shaping the career journeys of Mt. A. students.
Ruddick jokingly redefines her title, saying it is better defined as the “manager of experiential programs,” as most of her role surrounds overseeing the various internship programs offered by Mt. A. She outlined other aspects of her job, which include student advising, contribution to career week, aiding in professional development, and workshops.
According to Ruddick, the internships offered at Mt. A are not just employment opportunities, but also serve as personal and professional development. She emphasizes that “the structure of the internship helps students reflect, create meaning, and analyze what they are learning and put that towards academic or career goals.” This structured approach facilitates supervisor feedback, providing students with the opportunity to grow throughout the internship period.
Open to students from all years and programs, as long as they have completed at least one semester at Mt. A, these opportunities are available throughout the fall, winter, and spring/summer semesters. Whether full-time or part-time, the placements align with individual career goals. Most of the internships are hosted in Sackville during the academic year, while summer placements can extend across Canada, offering a diverse range of experiences.
The application process works as follows: students are required to submit an application package, which includes a resume, cover letter, and additional documents, like a transcript or references, depending on the specific internship.
These applications are submitted through the experiential learning online portal. Ruddick encourages students to seek assistance from The Office of Experiential Learning to strengthen their applications, stating “the Office of Experiential Learning is happy to help with this process because we know we can help create a stronger application.”
The timing of the internship application ensures that students have ample time to consider their options. For summer internships, applications open in mid-January from the 15 to the 31, allowing students to contemplate their choices during the holiday break. The application process unfolds in multiple rounds between January and March, accommodating the schedules of various employers and providing opportunities for students to apply throughout the semester.
The Office of Experiential Learning has two distinct internship opportunities outside of the regular programs. The ‘Design Your Own Internship’ program provides funding for unique jobs that might be otherwise challenging to acquire. Ruddick explains, “it is quite wide open,” encouraging students with ambitious goals to apply for funding support.
For those with entrepreneurial aspirations, The Office of Experiential Learning has an entrepreneurship internship opportunity. This includes a video pitch and a pitch competition in front of a small panel of judges for funding. Applications close on January 31. Successful candidates can win internship funding from $3,000–$5,000 or $10,000, depending on their business stage, with the expectation of working on their ventures during the summer, either full-time for the $10,000 or part-time for the $3,000–$5,000.
The emphasis is on the experiential side of university, as Ruddick states, “it is all about the experience side of your university degree, outside of class time.” Mt. A internship and job opportunities, under the Office of Experiential Learning, exemplify the commitment to providing students with experiences that prepare them for the transition from academia to the professional world.
