Anna Sophia Vollmerhausen raised some interesting issues in a recent issue of the Charlatan in relation to the School of Journalism and Communication’s apprenticeships program. While we are always grateful for students’ input, some of her points beg a response.
The program is designed to provide our students (undergraduate and graduate) the opportunity to enhance and hone the practical skills learned in the classroom, assemble portfolios, gain practical experience and insight into career options while developing professional contacts. It is not, however, a co-op program.
We work diligently with employers and the university to offer pre-graduation opportunities that fit within the confines of our current degree structures, workplace labour restrictions, and government regulations.
We feel our apprenticeships program largely achieves its intended goals. But we also recognize that it’s not perfect, and the program has its limitations compared with a co-op. That said, however, many paid and/or career opportunities have been realized through apprenticeship placements.
The program is under constant review to identify improvement opportunities within the somewhat restrictive constraints under which it must operate.
Given its complexity, certain misconceptions have arisen about the program. Main among these is that participation in the program is a mandatory prerequisite for graduation, but it is in fact voluntary. While there is a requirement in third and fourth year to meet government insurance regulations, the requirement may be met by other means. In other words, it’s up to each individual as to how they want to handle the requirement.
The number of opportunities available are beyond the control of the school and are a function of the number of organizations willing to become our partners. While this is entirely up to them, the school is constantly striving to expand the number of placements. While the number of vetted offerings (locations, diversity, numbers etc.) may not always match student interest or desired locale, there is always the opportunity to arrange “custom” internships that may more closely match a student’s interests.
The fact of the matter is the apprenticeships program exists and functions amid a plethora of governmental, academic and, yes, corporate and financial considerations.
It is certainly true that many opportunities are unpaid and can be relatively brief. While some employers have expressed interest in longer internships, they have also indicated that they are not in a position to offer remuneration. Paid intern positions typically occur in the summer months as a means to cover permanent employee vacation time. While the apprenticeship program strives to facilitate that process, in the final analysis it is up to each employer to decide on hiring practices. It is equally true that the number of paid summer internships has declined in the last few years, but that is something beyond the control of the school.
Examinations can prove challenging in an academic setting because formal examination deferrals are not granted and scheduling is often not available when setting placements. Should conflicts arise once a placement is set, we work with the student and employer to make accommodations. In a few cases, instructors are able to provide one-on-one assistance. But it should be kept in mind that examination regulations are set by the university as a whole over which the school has no control.
Similarly, missed class-time in interdisciplinary studies can also be demanding. Students on sanctioned placements are not required to attend journalism classes for the period of their internship. Our instructors work with students to rearrange workloads and determine how to handle missed assignments for that class. Instructors in other disciplines are not required to forgive class attendance or assignments, but generally co-operate with students who consult them well in advance.
In short, choosing between a placement opportunity, previous commitments or other priorities is a reality facing many students, and is a valuable life experience.
