Early Career Development Through Micro-Work-Integrated Learning Experiences

Abstract

Employers expect post-secondary students and recent graduates to be increasingly career ready, even for their first internships. To support career readiness, institutions are developing innovative Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programs. Our study showed that a one-week structured career development experience entitled Micro-ExP yielded positive results for participants. This program provided valuable insights into the efficacy of WIL programs for post-secondary students with no or limited prior work experience. The findings highlight the positive impact of students’ participation in a WIL program, irrespective of their field of study, on their skills development, job search confidence, and career readiness.