What is WIL?
Increase your employment prospects
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.
See our main WIL page for a full list of WIL types offered at VIU:
Current news
WIL Photo Contest
A picture is worth $100
Each year, WIL students can submit photos taken during their work terms for a chance to win the WIL Photo Contest.
Contest is open to all current VIU students who complete a WIL experience between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2026.
Experiential Learning Awards accepting nominations
Win a $200 award and campus-wide recognition.
Award Categories:
- Volunteer of the Year
- Student Leader of the Year
- Work-Op Student of the Year
Nominations close March 1, 2026
Students can’t self-submit, but you can ask a faculty or staff supervisor to nominate you!
Get started with WIL at VIU
5 steps to add hands-on experience to your degree
- Ask your Program Chair about the WIL options in your program. There are 130+ WIL courses at VIU.
- Search VIU's Experiential Learning Opportunities Catalogue.
- Make an appointment with our WIL Initiatives Coordinator. Go to Experience Hub, and select Career Studio, then appointments, then Karolien Soylu
Speak with your Program Advisor to find which WIL courses align with your academic goals and help meet your graduation requirements.
- Get help with your resume, interview practice, networking strategy, and more at our Career Studio.
- Ask about the Career Studio's new Career Closet where you can access free, high-quality, and stylish interview clothing.
- Look at on-campus and off-campus job postings targeted to VIU students and vetted to reduce scam postings.
- Attend one of VIU's employer engagement events, such as Career Fairs, Information Sessions, and Labour Market Roundtables
- Sign up for Intern Insider. Designed by a former UBC co-op student, Intern Insider tracks 200+ company sites directly so you can find opportunities that other job boards miss. There is a $13 monthly fee.
- Gain career-ready skills with the Co-curricular Record (CCR) Opportunity Directory's over 100 non-academic, on-campus experiential learning opportunities
- Network and solve real-world issues with Wavemakers, a free virtual reality career-building program for Canadian post-secondary students
- Explore opportunities in Research at VIU. Many programs offer 4th year research courses that have the potential to become WIL opportunities if they involve a community partner.
- Apply to Riipen Level Up or Riipen Future Path to land paid, virtual or hybrid work experiences with real Canadian employers.
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.
Student WIL and Experiential Learning Awards
Each year, VIU recognizes students who go above and beyond in making an impact through their work-integrated and experiential learning opportunities. The WIL and EL Awards celebrate outstanding student contributions with cash prizes, a formal awards ceremony, and opportunities for provincial and national recognition.
Riipen programs for VIU students
Riipen Labs
Build skills and confidence before moving on to longer Riipen programs.
- 30 hours
- $600 stipend
- short, guided projects with real employers
- idea for building experience and confidence
Level Up
Grow your portfolio by through meaningful, real-world projects.
- 60 hours
- $1,400 stipend
- designed for students in first to third year
- short-term remote internships with real employers
FuturePath
Stand out before graduation and become career-ready before your first interview.
- 10 to 420 hours
- $23.34 per hour or $1,400 per 60-hour project
- designed for students in third and fourth year
- flexible, project-based professional experience
Wavemakers
What students get:
- Up to $200 just for participating
- Eligibility for a $1,000 scholarship
- Mentorship from professionals across 23+ industries
- Work experience and in-demand skills that differentiates their resume
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."