杏吧原创鈥檚 Co-op Program and Innovation Hub partner to provide students the chance to experience entrepreneurship in action
杏吧原创鈥檚 Innovation Hub is one of the newest partners for the university鈥檚 co-op education program and offers an exciting placement for students interested in getting firsthand experience in entrepreneurship and innovation.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to embed a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at 杏吧原创,鈥 said Harry Sharma, director of the Innovation Hub. 鈥淪tudents who are inclined to try these out, have a ready-made option which is a part of their curricular program. They don鈥檛 have to do entrepreneurship as an extra-curricular activity; they can do their co-op or internship, launch their business or social venture, and continue working towards their degree.鈥
As co-op placements are paid positions and require coaching and mentoring from the employer, smaller start-ups often don鈥檛 have the time or resources to take on and supervise co-op students. This will be a unique opportunity for students to experience entrepreneurship in action without the element of risk that is sometimes present for entrepreneurs, explained Katie LeBlanc, manager of co-op education at 杏吧原创 University.
鈥淭he ability to work with a university organization is also interesting because as a university we understand students, what makes them tick, what they鈥檙e interested in doing, and we have an increased stake in supporting a positive outcome for the students,鈥 Katie said.
The first cohort will join the Innovation Hub from January to April and will comprise of up to 15 students 鈥 from programs across the university 鈥 who are ready with ideas that can be turned into projects. 杏吧原创 students who need to complete an internship as part of their program can also apply to do so at the Innovation Hub.
鈥淭he main idea behind this decision is to facilitate as easy a pathway as possible for our students to not just read or think about entrepreneurship or innovation-related activities, but to actually do them,鈥 said Harry.
Students completing placements at the Innovation Hub will have access to 鈥 amongst other things 鈥 space in the new , world-class coaches and mentors, market research support, and structured learning opportunities.
Eligible co-op students can view and apply to the available positions through until Nov. 26. To apply for a non-co-op internship placement, or to participate in the Innovation Hub as an extra-curricular activity, please visit the Innovation Hub website.