THE PATH TO STUDENT AND CAREER SUCCESS WITH SENECA POLYTECHNIC

The Path to Student and Career Success with Seneca Polytechnic

Introduction
Mr. Guescini is the Dean and President of Seneca Works at Seneca Polytechnic. He discusses the differences between a college, polytechnic, and university in Canada. He also shares what his department does, the services they offer, and the importance and benefits that students receive through Seneca Works.

1. What is the difference between colleges, universities, and polytechnics?

• Colleges: Colleges in Ontario are publicly funded and were established 55 years ago to meet employers' needs, respond to changing work environments, support the economic and social development of their local and diverse communities, and, most importantly, help Ontarians find and keep employment.

• Polytechnics: Polytechnics share the same principles as colleges and are similarly noted for their applied learning approach and involvement in both research and education. Polytechnics generally do not offer trades.

• Universities: Universities have been around for many years and focus on academic and theoretical subjects (e.g., math, English, history). They offer bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees. University education is broader and less specialized than polytechnic or college education. Universities engage in research and contribute theoretical knowledge in various fields.

2. What does Seneca Works do, and how does it benefit students?

Seneca Works is the department within Seneca Polytechnic that offers students career planning advice, mentoring, business networking, job skills development, work-based experiential learning, and full-time and part-time employment opportunities.
Seneca Works helps students secure full-time and part-time jobs, as well as the best CO-OP options in their field of study. Additionally, Seneca Works provides workshops on resume building, job search skills, and LinkedIn optimization.

3. Seneca Polytechnic is taking student support to the next level

Seneca Works reflects Seneca Polytechnic’s commitment to its students by developing a more strategic approach to experiential education and career development.
Seneca Works’ goal is to connect students with industry and bridge the gap between industry and education. While Seneca is already recognized as a leader in this educational space, Mr. Guescini believes more can be done to attract and retain students and ensure they are career-ready upon graduation.

To that end, the Seneca Works team is implementing a new strategy that focuses on enhancing Seneca's capacity in three critical areas:

1. Experiential learning
2. Career-ready programming and skills development
3. Entrepreneurship and industry engagement

4. What are some of the services Seneca Works offers its students?

• Experiential and Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Currently, most Seneca students have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning, and by 2026, all students will.

• Career Skills Development and Programming: Led by Sheila Bruce, this pillar provides career education and skills development support for current and prospective students and upcoming graduates.

• Entrepreneurship and Industry Engagement: The third pillar aims to develop students' entrepreneurial skills and strengthen relationships with industry partners.

5. What is Work-Integrated Experiential Learning (WIL)?

Mr. Guescini describes experiential learning as a broad range of activities that expose students to hands-on learning, often delivered by industry professionals. Examples include interactive simulations, project-based coursework, and field experience.

Experiential learning also includes Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), such as practicums and internships (CO-OPs).
WIL requires three key participants, according to Mr. Guescini: the student, the academic institution, and a host employer or industry representative who provides the student with a job opportunity and feedback on their performance.