Carleton’s Co-op Program and Innovation Hub partner to provide students the chance to experience entrepreneurship in action
Carleton’s Innovation Hub is one of the newest partners for the university’s co-op education program and offers an exciting placement for students interested in getting firsthand experience in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“This is an opportunity for us to embed a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Carleton,” said Harry Sharma, director of the Innovation Hub. “Students who are inclined to try these out, have a ready-made option which is a part of their curricular program. They don’t 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.”
As co-op placements are paid positions and require coaching and mentoring from the employer, smaller start-ups often don’t 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 Carleton University.
“The ability to work with a university organization is also interesting because as a university we understand students, what makes them tick, what they’re interested in doing, and we have an increased stake in supporting a positive outcome for the students,” Katie said.
The first cohort will join the Innovation Hub from January to April and will comprise of up to 15 students – from programs across the university – who are ready with ideas that can be turned into projects. Carleton students who need to complete an internship as part of their program can also apply to do so at the Innovation Hub.
“The 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,” said Harry.
Students completing placements at the Innovation Hub will have access to – amongst other things – space in the new Nicol Building, 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 mySuccess on Carleton Central 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.