EDGE offers a unique way to ignite students’ work experiences

Celebrating work-integrated learning (WIL) month

By: Matthew King (he/him)

The desire to create meaningful volunteer opportunities for science students led Arianna Poon (she/her) to the EDGE program. The 3B Honours Science student knew her peers in the faculty wanted to make an impact in the science field. She used her EDGE work experience to make it a reality.

What was it like working in an EDGE experience?

At first, it was a transition period. I had to focus on my academics and my other commitments. I felt actively committed to the EDGE program because I knew it required me to work a certain number of hours. The best part is, because of how flexible the EDGE program is, you're actively thinking about it in your spare time.

You also have the time and the flexibility, which is really why I love it so much. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature. I thought, “I'm doing this EDGE experience or EDGE milestone, oh my gosh, this relates to my professional development (PD) course.” It gives you a higher level of reflection into the working field.

Why would you recommend others take part in the program?

I think a lot of students, who don't have the co-op option, think of this as a great chance to have the ability to say, “I wasn't a co-op student, but I did have these experiences.” There are many aspects you don't think about until you're in it.

EDGE provides such a perfect way of gaining experience. One where it gives you enough guidance with the PD courses highlighting the things that are useful. It also allows you to reflect on your experience and take it to the outside world.

 

- ARIANNA POON, EDGE STUDENT

What attracted you to IgNITE as your EDGE work experience?

IgNITE’s premise is that it's an opportunity for science students who are eager to go into the research field or graduate programs. However, it's kind of a "catch-22" situation — to obtain experience, you must have experience to begin with, and it gets hard that way.

IgNITE provides an opportunity for students to take initiative, do the research themselves and compete. That really motivated me to go into the organization. As a science student, I thought that there were not many organizations that provide opportunities to undergraduate students who are eager to learn. IgNITE welcomes students who want to take the initiative to go into the field.

Igniting the passion for others

Bianka Bezuidenhout (she/her), is the co-founder of IgNITE and a second-year medical student at the University of Toronto. Bezuidenhout was Poon's employer throughout her EDGE experience.