SASKATOON — Kelsey Morris has learned a lot during her last few years as a student but if she had to share one lesson it might be to always throw your hat in the ring. Morris grew up in Kindersley and moved to Saskatoon to attend university before deciding that she wanted to pursue a more practical education. She became interested in health care during the pandemic and wanted to do something meaningful to contribute to society. At a COVID vaccination clinic put on by Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, the young woman entered a $25,000 draw for a scholarship and won—just the motivation she needed to apply to the program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Morris has now finished her program but before graduating last June she applied for another opportunity. “I learned about the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) internship in an email,” she says, “and the position piqued my interest. Although my program was unrelated to sustainability, I have a personal passion for the subject. I was excited to hear that Sask Polytech was doing sustainability-related work and I thought, ‘Why not apply?’”
Morris was the successful candidate for a four-month CICan Career Launcher Impact Internship with Sask Polytech’s sustainability research facilitator, Alasdair Morrison, and began working with him this past Fall. “The internship gave me a chance to explore a new subject and potential path,” says Morris, who received $10,000 in internship pay over the term.
Morrison and Morris met to discuss her goals as well as his research needs, ultimately focusing on a project exploring food security for Sask Polytech students. Assisting Morrison with preparing surveys for data research, gathering information about were a few of the tasks she tackled during her time as a CICan intern. “This experience gave me a taste for research,” she says, “and it’s made me want to go further in this direction. I love all the analytics, breaking data down after a survey, looking at different demographics, etc. It’s all so interesting. I have been learning a lot from Alasdair.”
Morris had the opportunity to attend CICan's National Indigenous Education Symposium (NIES) in Regina during her internship, an experience she found valuable. “The symposium was both exciting and inspiring,” says Morris. “There are a lot of good things happening nationally for Indigenous youth that will alter the way our education is delivered, with more on land teaching and being able to stay connected to our communities."
Morris’s CICan internship term ended but she is still doing some paid work for Morrison. “Kelsey was a big help and proved herself during her time as a CICan intern,” he says. “It made her a natural choice when I had another project that I needed assistance with. I’m glad to be able to keep her on to do some more work.”
student Manpreet Kaur also learned about a Career Launcher Impact Internship opportunity through her Sask Polytech email. The international student from India says she didn’t have a clear idea of what she was getting into but was seeking a new experience. Kaur’s internship position had a diversity focus, assisting Paula Lindain, Sask Polytech’s equity, diversity, inclusion and indigenization (EDII) and student research coordinator, to advance projects in that area.
“The CICan internship wasn’t directly related to my program but I learned so much during my time working with Paula that will undoubtedly benefit me in providing care for a diverse population in the future,” says Kaur. She assisted with developing guidelines for the Student Applied Research Showcase, facilitated sessions at an EDII Café, generated ideas for events such as Mental Health Awareness month and other activities aimed at promoting the concept of EDII within the Sask Polytech applied research community.
“Manpreet made an outstanding intern,” says Lindain. “She displayed a remarkable eagerness to learn about equity, diversity, inclusion and indigenization, coupled with a genuine curiosity. Always open to sharing her ideas and personal perspectives, she made a significant impact during her time with us. Her perspective on the barriers to inclusion for Sask Polytech students, which she presented at an EDII Lunch and Learn, was both well received and insightful.”
Kaur also contributed to Lindain’s student engagement outreach, helping to share the benefit of her experience with other students while undertaking her internship. “One memorable experience was our trip to Prince Albert campus where we promoted applied research opportunities to students,” shares Lindain. “Manpreet’s exemplary performance during this event highlighted her unique insights into student experiences at Sask Polytech.”
“Being a CICan intern gave me valuable financial support,” says Kaur, “but it also was a significant boost to my confidence and communication skills. Overall, the experience really contributed to my personal and professional growth, and for this I feel so fortunate.”
Kaur is currently in her final semester and will complete her program in June. “My first goal is to get my practical nursing license and start working in the field. I also plan to apply for the Registered Nursing program next year.”
In the meantime, research has also caught Kaur’s interest and she is considering undertaking a project about gamification in post-secondary education. “I’m gathering information and exploring whether I can balance it with my upcoming exams and clinicals,” she explains. “If possible, I may present at the Applied Research Student Showcase in Regina in May.”
Morris is still considering all her career options. True to her nature, she threw her hat in the ring for a second internship she learned about during her time as a CICan intern. She has just started a leadership-focused internship with a national organization advocating for Métis women and girls, Les Femmes Michif Otipimisiwak. “I will probably work as a medical laboratory technician at some point in the future,” says Morris. “Just not quite yet.”
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— Submitted by Sask. Polytech media relations
