The Benefits of Internships:

Why University Students Should Say Yes to Work Experience

Internships are an essential part of a university student’s journey, offering a multitude of benefits for those willing to embrace them. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable work experience, develop new skills, network with professionals in their field, and make informed decisions about their future careers.

Practical Work Experience

Internships provide university students with an opportunity to gain handson work experience that they may not get in a traditional classroom setting. By working alongside professionals in their chosen industry, students can learn about the day-to-day operations of a company and gain insight into what it takes to succeed in their chosen career path. This type of real-world experience is invaluable as it allows students to apply the knowledge they have gained in the classroom to real-life scenarios.

Network with Potential Future Colleagues and Employers

Building relationships with professionals in your chosen field can be a valuable asset when seeking employment after graduation. Interns can use their time in the company to ask questions, seek advice and learn from others already living their chosen career paths. Connections are precious currency, especially in this age of connectivity. Work hard and make a good impression and you will reap the benefits of your internship.

Develop New Skills

During an internship, students may be given tasks that challenge them and require them to learn new skills. For example, they may be asked to work on a project that requires them to learn an unfamiliar computer program, or they may be given the responsibility of managing a team of individuals. These types of experiences can help students build their confidence and give them a competitive edge when entering the workforce.

Make Smart Decisions About Your Future

While working in a company, students may find that they enjoy certain aspects of the job or industry more than others. This experience can help students make informed decisions about the types of jobs they would like to pursue after graduation.

Kristen O’Neil

AHPS ‘19

University of Calgary; Accounting Co-Op

Internship: Heartland Generation, Commerce Summer Student

I will be working as a commerce summer student on the Battle River Carbon Hub project, an exciting energy transition project that is moving from coal power to 100% hydrogen-fueled power. When completed, it will be Canada’s first large-scale facility to integrate hydrogen production, carbon sequestration, and clean power.

Quinn Patterson

AHPS ‘21

University of Toronto; Rotman School of Management - BCom, Finance and Economics Specialist

Internship: Cenovus Energy

Cenovus is a Canadian-based, integrated energy company with operations that span Canada, the United States, and the Asia Pacific region. They work across the full oil and natural gas value chain - in exploration, production, refining, transportation, and retailproviding products that power our communities.

During my internship at Cenovus, I will be doing analysis of accounting and financial data to help aid in decision making in their joint venture partnerships.

After university, I want to get into investment banking, with the ultimate goal of hedge fund management. Eventually I’d like to launch a public company.

Caleigh van Leenen

AHPS ‘22

Western University

Internship: University of Calgary Research Intern

I will be interning at the University of Calgary working under Dr. Dave Campbell, a specialized endocrinologist who specifically studies the hormonal imbalances and problems of diabetes. He runs a clinic and lab called the Campbell Lab, where I will be working as a student researcher 30 hours a week! Dr. Terry Saunders-Smith is my research director and she coordinates many of the projects within the lab. Personally, I will be working on the homelessness project, which looks at the correlations between homelessness and diabetes, and the lack of resources and funding given to those in need. I will also be working on the FoodRX program, which looks at the links between our diets and nutrition, and diabetes. I am one of only three undergrad students working at the lab.