Work-Integrated Learning

What are the qualifications and expectations of work-integrated learning?

What to Expect

A Humber Faculty of Social and Community Services student can fill any entry-level role in an organization and work across a broad range of fields. Our programs teach a unique balance of practical, workplace-ready skills and advanced theoretical knowledge. The benefit to employers means shorter learning curves and greater results.

Student Expectations

Our students expect a meaningful challenge in their field experience position and to work on projects that directly relate to their field of study. They want the opportunity to prove themselves and to gain skills in a practical, real-world employment situation. Field experiences should offer the chance to hone a student’s interpersonal, communication, problem-solving and analytical skills, all the while providing support and feedback.

Duration of Field Experience

Our programs are designed to follow the academic calendar; students enter the field in September, January and May and can be one semester to two semesters in length depending on the program. Degree students have the option of completing field experiences on a part-time or full-time basis while diploma student have specific days of the week set aside to attend field experience. Our Field Experience Advisors will advise students on the best timelines to complete field experience.

What is required from the employer?

1. A readiness and interest to take on the responsibilities of educating a Humber Polytechnic student.
2. An ability to provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful work that is directly related to their course learning outcomes.
3. A commitment to providing an experienced mentor who will make time to adequately carry out the necessary functions of an Agency Field Supervisor, including weekly feedback, goal setting, evaluating performance and signing timesheets.
4. Ensuring a safe work environment where Human Rights and the values of self-awareness, compassion, inclusion, respect and integrity are upheld.
5. Agency staff that will encourage students to participate in the organization’s operations, through activities such as attendance at staff meetings and participation in committee work as well as service delivery where appropriate.
6. An adequate workstation or area where students can be included in the work environment.
7. A willingness to accommodate students with disabilities and special learning needs; to consult with Humber’s Accessible Learning Consultants when required.
8. Providing students the opportunity to complete placement hours before the end of the school semester.
9. Keeping students apprised of whether or not their performance is satisfactory throughout the course of their placement by providing constructive feedback concerning their strengths and areas that require improvement.
10. Where appropriate, to be willing to problem solve areas of concern with a Humber Representative and the student.

Unpaid and Paid Field Experience

Work-integrated learning positions facilitated through the Faculty of Social and Community Services are unpaid, however, students can work with their Field Experience Advisors to assess whether exiting paid employment can be used as their field experience. Students who are paid employees working with an organization and/or in a role that meets the learning outcomes required by the course and program can request to have their employment considered as a formal field experience by the Field Experience Advisor.

Post your Opportunity

The Field Experience Advisor will work with you to create a job posting outlining what students can expect to be doing in field experience with your organization and what qualifications and skills you are looking for. Students will review your job posting among others, and select their top choices.

Resume Review

Field Experience Advisors help the search for both you and students by pre-screening and matching students to their top field experience choices before we connect them to you. You will have the opportunity to read through select resumes of applicants and choose whether to invite students to interview with you. You can also ask that we drive all interested students to connect with you without pre-screening, or ask the Field Experience Advisor to assign students to you if you do not want to review resumes. Let us know your preference and we can help.

Interview Process

If you would like to host several students from a program or across various programs in the Faculty of Social and Community Services, we have access to classes and meeting rooms that can fit your needs to interview students at the Humber Lakeshore campus; we are happy to coordinate this for you. However, most employers use their own facilities and coordinate meeting students for interviews on their own.

Workplace Safety and Insurance

As with all non-paid student field experiences, we require our students and employers to complete the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University declaration of understanding. Our Field Experience Advisors help facilitate this process, which is meant to protect everyone by verifying workplace safety and insurance information.

If The Fit Isn't Quite Right

Our field experience students are treated like any other employee in an organization. If the fit isn't right, please feel free to contact the Seminar Instructor/Faculty Advisor and we work together to determine the best course of action. We are confident that we will find you the right student for the job, but if there is a problem, we will help you deal with it on a case-by-case basis.