Practicing Professionalism

Many students are turning theory into practice through Atkinson’s Experiential Education (EE) program. Since 2006, over 1,000 students and 175 organizations have been matched – working together on a diverse range of case studies and projects that help students prepare for life after graduation.

Students work with organizations on things like developing marketing strategies, addressing critical human resources issues and assisting with projects in the not-for-profit community sector. Atkinson’s latest addition to EE is a paid internship program – students “earn while they learn”, gaining valuable insight from some of the industry’s leading professionals.

Fourth-year Atkinson EE student Mike Fong recently completed an internship at Eloqua – a dynamic marketing firm in downtown Toronto. Fong learned to refine his approaches to handling clients, meeting deadlines and working as part of a diverse team. He worked as a paid marketing specialist, creating marketing campaigns, helping out with brochures, working with databases and conducting follow up e-mails from city tours. One of the main marketing initiatives he worked on while interning was used by Eloqua to help attract people to their booth at a high profile event in Miami.

“Internships are extremely valuable,” said Fong. “Most students have theoretical experience but are lacking the practical experience employers require. Nowadays, employers are looking for the best and brightest individuals to fill employment positions, and they need students who are not just book-smart but who also have the hands-on experience.”

To learn more about the EE program and how you can get involved as a student, visit www.atkinson.yorku.ca/EE