Best Practices

Here are practices that some departments and agencies have used to attract students and to provide them with positive, appropriate, and valuable work experience.

Preparation

• Recruit early. Remember, you're competing with private sector employers.
• Match skills to job requirements.
• Ensure the assignment reflects what the student was told to expect.
• Equip your students with the tools and resources that they need to do the job.
• Inform your staff of the role of students in your organization and how to utilize their skills for best results.

Liaison

• Provide students with an orientation session about your organization.
• Introduce students to their colleagues.
• Invite students to attend team meetings to promote learning and inclusiveness.
• Develop a mentor system to provide students with guidance.
• Maintain open and direct lines of communication, so that students have the security of knowing exactly where and how they contribute to your organization.

Motivation

• Develop students' abilities and talents by offering training and progressive assignments.
• Provide networking opportunities.
• Develop a structured learning plan. Use the learning plan to define what the student should accomplish during their work term. See examples of model learning plans for high school and post-secondary students.
• Offer performance feedback and suggestions, and remember to include positive comments.