BY JOSH LOPEZ
GUEST OPINION
Everyone has an opinion about the Canada Summer Jobs program.
There is one thing people seem to forget - finding employment is not easy.
Most entry level positions require at least one year of experience. As students head towards graduation with little to no work experience, they worry about how they will start a career in their field of study.
Thanks to Canada Summer Jobs, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, thousands of students like me can obtain valuable work experience and contribute to organizations and businesses across a variety of sectors.
Last summer, I was fortunate to be offered a position in the communications department at Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, a nonprofit organization that focuses on improving the lives of children and youth. The job was funded through the Canada Summer Jobs initiative.
A non-profit is a unique environment. I worked alongside people with a diversity of career backgrounds and skill sets that have led them to this industry. I also took on many different tasks and gained valuable experience by contributing to the inner workings of the communications and marketing department.
I worked on branding audits of corporate partners, analyzed the marketing efforts of Boys and Girls Clubs across the nation, completed research reports, and wrote content for their national website and social media, among other things.
This type of hands-on experience has enhanced my past skills, as well as taught me new ones, all with the end goal of making me more employable.
Thousands of organizations are granted funding each summer through Canada Summer Jobs. Students can look online to see who has obtained funding and apply for multiple positions.
Making money while gaining quality work experience? It’s win-win.
Canadian students should take advantage of the Canada Summer Jobs program to kickstart their careers, build experience, and contribute to their future.
- Josh Lopez is a Business Communications student at Brock University
