Learning by doing
In the 2020-21 academic year, over 140 Mount Allison students completed internships with approximately 60 of those receiving support from Future NB/Future Wabanaki. Many of these student positions were based in New Brunswick, working with local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations.
“Mount Allison is thrilled to be a post-secondary partner with Future NB,” says Rebecca Leaman, the University’s Director of Experiential Learning and Career Development. “This support allows us to work with students and community partners to create internship opportunities that help enhance our students’ undergraduate experience and help prepare them for their future career paths, right here in the province.”
primary goal is to position New Brunswick as a place where all students and employers can access rich learning opportunities and new ways to collaborate with one another, through experiential education. RBC Future NB Week, taking place Jan.24-28, seeks to celebrate some of the recent student internship opportunities in the province and raise the profile of local initiatives and partnerships.
Two Mount Allison students have spent part of their university experience as interns at two of Sackville’s most well-known non-profits — Live Bait Theatre and Open Sky Co-operative.
Music and drama student Rowan White is working as a Virtual School Tour Online Actor this fall and winter term with Live Bait Theatre. White received funding from Future Wabanaki for the internship.
“My internship is working as an actor and technician with Live Bait Theatre. It has really surprised me how many things working in theatre lends itself to. I’ve worked Front of House, backstage, onstage, and pre-production,” says White. “The confidence my employers have in me has really inspired me to try more, and I have enjoyed all aspects so far.”
Originally from St. John’s, NL, White now calls New Brunswick home. They are active in both community and campus theatre initiatives and is involved with the MASU, the University’s Indigenous Advisory Circle, and the executive of the Indigenous Students Support Group. White also works at the University’s Music Department as a concert technician.
“I've loved making theatre with my friends here. Lots of the locals are wonderful creators and getting to meet and work with them has been such a pleasure,” says White.
Third-year psychology and biology student Emily Escoffery worked with Open Sky Co-operative as a program intern last summer. Escoffery’s internship was supported through Future NB.
“I learned about the importance of community-based programming in mental health initiatives during my summer at Open Sky,” says Escoffery, who is from Charlottetown, PE. “I investigated the role that nature plays in therapeutic programming and increased my awareness of trauma informed approaches in psychology. This first-hand experience enhanced my leadership and communicative skills, within a professional context while developing various professional skills.”
Escoffery volunteers on the Psychology Society’s executive as well as some peer support programs and works as a TA.
With the help of Future NB, Escoffery says she was able to take initiative in her own learning, integrating classroom theories into practice and has gained a deeper understanding of her own future career goals. Getting involved in her community, both through the internship and other activities was key.
“If I have learned anything from Open Sky, it is that the people we meet influence our growth. University is a time where we see a lot of growth,” she says. “Don't be afraid to get involved and make connections.”
The first-round of 2022 summer internship applications is now open for Mount Allison University students in . Follow Mount Allison’s Office of Experiential Learning and Career Development on Instagram (@mta_experientiallearning) for more opportunities and profiles of student internship experiences, supported through Future NB and Future Wabanaki, as well as many generous donors at Mount Allison.
