Work experience (work-integrated learning)
Employers: If you're looking to hire or offer a work experience to an NSCC student, visit employer and industry collaboration for details.
Most of our programs combine classroom learning with on-the-job learning, and graduation is often dependent on the successful completion of a work experience.
There are five ways to get work experience:
- Field experience
- Co-operative education
- Internships
- Professional practice
- Sea time
Field experience
Field experience gives you the chance to participate in a workplace setting related to your field of study.
- Opportunities can be paid or unpaid and last 5 to 8 weeks.
- More than 100 programs offer field experience.
- Most field experiences are during the spring, although schedules vary by program.
Co-operative education
Co-operative (co-op) education is a credit course completed between your first and second years of study.
- This paid, full-time work experience lasts 12 to 16 weeks.
- Co-op represents one full credit and regular tuition/fees applies (view tuition, fees and costs).
- More than 50 programs offer optional co-op.
- Three programs include mandatory co-op: Business-Hospitality, Business-Tourism and Culinary Management.
- Our co-op program follows Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada (CEWIL) guidelines.
- If you successfully complete co-op, you'll have the co-op designation reflected on your transcript and diploma.
Internships
Two NSCC programs include an internship: International Business and Oceans Technology.
- This paid opportunity takes place during the final term of your program and lasts approximately 14 weeks.
Professional practice
Professional practice placements allow you to apply your knowledge and skills required for a professional license or designation.
- Opportunities are unpaid and vary in duration from a few weeks to a few months.
- Professional practice is offered in the majority of our health programs.
Sea time
Sea time allows you to apply your knowledge and skills required on board a vessel.
- Opportunities can be paid or unpaid.
- Duration and term (fall/winter/spring/summer) varies depending on the program.
- Many of our marine programs have a sea time requirement whose guidelines are set out by Transport Canada.
- Sea time can be completed on board Canadian and international merchant ships.
- International Students are responsible for securing their own sea time.