What is WIL?
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) allows you to earn credit toward your degree while getting real work experience. You can learn new skills, meet people in your future career field, and get ready for life after university.
Why join WIL?
Gain real experience
Try out the kind of work you might do after graduation.
Build your network
Meet people and companies who can help you in your career.
Improve your job chances
Employers prefer to hire students who have done WIL.
Getting started with WIL at VIU
Ask your program about the WIL options available to you. There are 150+ WIL courses at VIU.
Speak with your Program Advisor to find what fits your goals.
Use the Experience Hub to see job postings just for VIU students.
Get help with your resume, interview practice, and more at our Career Studio.
VIU students win provincial recognition in the WIL Student-of-the-Year competition in 2024
Loretta Hanson | winner
Learn more about Early Childhood Education student, Loretta Hanson's, practicum with the Tla’amin Child Development and Resource Center:
Sitayesh Malik | honourable mention
Learn more about MBA student, Sitayesh Malik's, summer internship at the Centre for Experiential Learning.
VIU launched new institutional WIL awards with seven student winners
For the first time this year the Centre for Experiential Learning championed a VIU-wide WIL Student-of-the-Year Award. Cash prizes of $200 were awarded to each student as well as formal recognition at our WIL awards ceremony in March 2025. Winners were also submitted for the ACE-WIL BC/Yukon WIL Student of the Year awards for a chance at BC-wide recognition.
These outstanding students have demonstrated dedication, skill, and impact in their WIL experiences across diverse fields - from firefighting and early childhood education to business leadership and student engagement.
VIU's 2024 WIL Student-of-the-Year Award winners
Adrienne Bender - Tourism Management
Adrienne is in her third year of the Bachelor of Tourism Management program at VIU. In 2023 and 2024, she had the opportunity to participate in a WIL experience with the BC Wildfire Service as a type 1 firefighter on an Initial Attack Crew in her hometown, Burns Lake. During this WIL, Adrienne aided in wildfire suppression, building valuable connections within the industry.
"This WIL experience helped me discover what I am passionate about and what kind of career path I plan to pursue." Adrienne Bender
Audrey Lamprecht - Early Childhood Education
Audrey spent twenty years teaching in South Africa. She taught at various elementary schools, a kindergarten, and a diverse abilities school. Audrey's sons chose to study in Canada after an invitation from their Canadian relatives. Following the pandemic, she decided to expand her studies, which led her to the ECEC Diploma at VIU. She completed practicums at several local childcare centres, including Jolly Giant (Selby) and Katie's Korner Childcare.
"The work-integrated learning has given me a higher level of comfort and competence within the practicum setting. It has been especially beneficial to me as I am a mature student who has not studied full-time for many years, and I am new to the early childhood setting in Canada." Audrey Lamprecht
Muskan Chadha - MBA
Muskan is a results-driven professional with an MBA from VIU, where she was honoured as the Top International Student for Semester 1 and earned a place on the Dean's List. Currently, she serves as a Sales Manager at Trane Technologies for the British Columbia region where she was kept on after completing her WIL experience in the summer of 2024. She is committed to continuous learning and professional growth in a dynamic business environment.
"Professionally, WIL has been a game-changer. My role at Trane Technologies strengthened my ability to develop and present HVAC and controls-based solutions, convery leards into opportunities, and manage long-term client partnerships." Muskan Chadha
Esteban LaPointe - Workplace Essential Skills Training (WEST)
From a young age, Esteban demonstrated a remarkable drive for independence and self-reliance. Esteban's academic journey brought him to VIU and its WEST program. Currently in his second year, Esteban has embraced the program's unique integration of classroom learning and practical work experiences. Through WIL, he has gained valuable skills that are directly supportive of his life goals.
"When I was young, I decided that I wanted to work so I didn't have to depend on my parents. Being in a program with WIL is a great career step for me. I have barriers and I still do. It does not mean I am less capable than any other person." Esteban LaPointe
Alison Kuenzig - Tourism Management
Alison is a wine enthusiast and a student currently completing her final year of a Bachelor of Tourism Management at VIU. Alison's experience at The Wine Works in Nanaimo has allowed her to build strong relationships with customers, develop excellent program-solving skills, and provide outstanding service in a dynamic environment.
"My WIL experience at The Wine Works has been a pivotal part of my academic journey. It has allowed me to develop practical skills, gain valuable business insights, and grow both professionally and personally." Alison Kuenzig
Loretta Hanson - Early Childhood Education
Loretta is a recent graduate of the Early Childhood Education program where she participated in a two-year WIL cohort in collaboration with her community, the Tla'Amin Nation. As a result of this experience, Loretta was promoted to an ECE II employee and given a full-time position at Tla-amin Child Development Resource Centre (CDRC). She is currently continuing her studies and obtaining her Infant toddler and Special Needs Educator status.
"I absolutely support and encourage VIU to keep partnering and offering these WIL programs that will create successful, certified employable individuals to be ready for the work force." Loretta Hanson
Sitayesh Malik - MBA
Sitayesh is the Administrative and Systems Associate at VIU's Centre for Experiential Learning and Student Engagement. As a Career Peer in the Career Studio, she supported students in their career readiness journeys. During her MBA internship, she developed a comprehensive onboarding Student Employee Handbook for student staff, collaborating with team members, graphic designers, and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality results.
"It wasn't until I embarked on my MBA journey at VIU that I began to truly uncover what I wanted to do in life. I was still searching for clarity - until I engaged in WIL opportunities that allowed me to reflect, grow, and finally uncover a clear direction for my career." Sitayesh Malik
WIL student stories
Madi Paquette, Bachelor of Tourism Management Student
"Working towards the opening of the Malahat SkyWalk was the perfect opportunity to use the knowledge I gained during my degree - from events planning, to accounting, experimental product design and sustainable tourism."
Oliver Jourmel - Computer Science student
In his second year, Oliver secured a co-op as part of the development team at Seeker Solutions, a tech startup in Victoria BC: "The company was a fantastic experience and gave me something that is difficult to replicate in the lecture hall - a long running group project that you work on for eight hours a day, five days a week, for three months ."
Mel Beaudry — Baking Apprentice
"During my time at Sparkling Hill Resort, I learned so much about the industry. I started my co-op terrified, with very little confidence and not knowing what to expect. After completing my co-op and being hired full-time, I have created my own plating for desserts on the menu, and I’m currently helping with ordering, scheduling and inventory."