You can boost your work experience through both curricular and co-curricular work-integrated learning opportunities.
Curricular WIL opportunities
Curricular WIL is part of your courses and is developed and reviewed by a faculty member in collaboration with CapU WIL. WIL allows you to build the skills you developed in class by putting them into practice in a work environment.
WIL includes three key components: faculty, students and partner organizations.
Visit Types of WIL at CapU to see all types of curricular opportunities.
Co-curricular WIL opportunities
Co-curricular WIL opportunities are non-credit. You can approach the Career Development Centre (CDC) to learn more about how to add this type of work experience to your portfolio.
Examples of co-curricular opportunities:
- paid internships;
- summer jobs;
- paid contract work;
- entrepreneurial work;
- community service (unpaid);
- volunteer work;
- student clubs participation;
- charity shows; and
- governance/ committee-related work.
Recognizing WIL achievements
Support your fellow students
Work as a Peer Leader across CapU. Peer leaders support other students. This work can include mentorship, organizing events, facilitating workshops and providing information or academic support.
Departments offer a variety of volunteer, honorarium and student employee positions. See the options for becoming a CapU Peer Leader.
The International Leadership & Mentorship Program (ILMP) is for students who want to support international students. You will run events, get training and get to mentor new international students as they transition to CapU and start life in Vancouver.
Learn more about being a mentor through ILMP.
Work to help the environment
EarthWorks is a CapU initiative with the goal of educating others about complex environmental issues.
Students attending three lectures and one environmental restoration event per term receive an EarthWorks notation on their transcript. Co-curricular credits can also be earned for volunteer work.
Learn more about EarthWorks.
Additional opportunities for involvement
Publishing your research and writing is a fantastic way to share your knowledge and emerging ideas with a broader public.
The Capilano Courier, The Liar, Canadian Journal of Undergraduate Research and the CapU hosted Journal of Childhood Pedagogies are a few local examples of magazines and journals publishing work by emerging writers and researchers.
Connect with faculty in your department for additional ideas for potential publication venues.
The Career Development Centre, ChatLive, EarthWorks and the Writing Centre offer regular workshops to develop, hone and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your courses.
Many of these activities are eligible for inclusion on your co-curricular record, an official summary of your extra-curricular experiences at CapU that you can show future employers.
Capilano Students' Union supports over 30 active clubs.
Whether you join an existing club or start your own, clubs are an excellent way to meet new and like-minded people while developing your organizational skills and deepening the practical application of knowledge and skills acquired in your courses.