Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ

  • Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) helps students learn by doing. It gives them a chance to use what they've learned in school in a real job or practice setting. WIL includes things like research projects, internships, field placements, co-op programs, and more.

    • WIL helps you get real work experience.

    • It makes your resume better by adding useful job skills.

    • You improve skills that you can use in different jobs.

    • You meet many people in your field and make connections.

    • WIL helps you move from school to starting your career smoothly.

  • Wavemakers is a free, groundbreaking virtual reality career-building program where students build the skills, network, and mindset to win in the workforce. Wavemakers is supported by the Government of Canada through the Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Program and in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable to strengthen students’ core future-proof capabilities and connect talent directly with leading employers across Canada.

  • Wavemakers is open to all post-secondary students: Canadian, international, undergraduate, and graduate. 

    Wavemakers is currently funded by two separate entities and as a result, eligibility criteria may differ by student.

    To join Wavemakers as a Canadian student, you must:

    • Currently be enrolled in a post-secondary institution.

    *Canadian students include Canadian Citizens, permanent residents, or under Protected Status (Refugee).

    To join Wavemakers as an International student, you must:

    • Currently be enrolled in a post-secondary institution.

    • Be enrolled in your first degree in Canada.

  • Yes, the Wavemakers Program is completely FREE.

  • We have cohorts that run 1 session per week and some that run 2 sessions per week. You decide how fast you want to go through the program.

    Time Commitment Breakdown

    • Orientation: 2 hours

    • Expert Led Speaker Sessions: 8 hours

    • Working Sessions With Your Team and Mentor: 8 hours

    • Homework (work outside of Wavemaker sessions): 4 hours

    • Total Time Commitment Estimate: 22 hours

  • Students will learn and become comfortable collaborating with digital tools and platforms, develop strong teamwork and interpersonal skills, improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills, and so much more. The program allows students to expand their knowledge and become equipped with 10 future-proof capabilities such as leadership, resilience, initiative, communication and so many more. These capabilities help prepare students for the workforce and become an expert on all transferable skills employers are actively looking for. Students will work with established mentors throughout the program, learn from expert speakers, and leave a lasting impression through their Wavemakers project.

  • The Wavemakers program provides students the opportunity to expand their network by 50k+ second degree connections. Wavemakers is partnered with some of Canada’s most innovative employers such as IBM, Lululemon, Parks Canada, and so many more. Students are able to connect with employers through virtual career fairs hosted in-campus. The program offers students the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals all over Canada.

  • Future-proof skills are long-lasting and adaptable and support the changing workforce and jobs of the future. These are transferable skills that are needed to thrive in the future or work: maintain employment, advance in your career in a competitive market, and respond to unexpected changes. The Wavemakers program focuses on these 10 core future-proof capabilities that employers actively seek in new hires, helping students adapt and move their careers forward in the dynamic, always changing workforce of today (and tomorrow).

    • Leadership

    • Teamwork

    • Critical Thinking Skills

    • Communication

    • Active Problem Solving

    • Resilience

    • Initiative

    • Systems Thinking

    • Innovation

    • Social & Emotional Learning

  • Our virtual reality (VR) campus was designed intentionally to be fully accessible for anyone. This includes students participating in rural or remote areas and the ability to invite expert speakers from around the world. Our VR campus is fully accessible and fun to use.

  • There is no virtual reality (VR) headset required to participate in the Wavemakers Virtual Campus. However, we highly recommend that you use wired headphones when you are in-campus for optimal sound quality.

  • The virtual campus is easy to navigate. During the orientation session, Wavemakers students have the chance to learn and get comfortable walking around campus, navigating the different menus, and even how to virtually dance!

  • No. The Wavemakers program was designed for students from any discipline. The skills you will develop can be applied in any career.

  • Wavemakers will prepare students for any job and is practical for all career development. The program focuses on future-proof capabilities and the in-demand skills all employers are actively looking for.

Funding and Financial Support FAQ

  • Wavemakers is funded by two organizations.

    Any student that is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, and protected persons are funded by the Government of Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada - ESDC) through the Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Program.

    All International Students are funded through the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER). BHER is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization that strives towards making sure everyone has the opportunities and resources to reach their full potential.

  • Canadian students* are eligible to apply for up to $200 in reimbursement from Wavemakers to cover expenses related to the program (Child care, Internet, Hardware/Software). Unfortunately, this is not offered to international students at this time.

    International students will receive a $10 gift card for completing the application and another $10 gift card for completing the exit survey upon completion of the program.

    *Canadian students include: a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or under Protected Status (Refugee).

  • Yes, every Wavemakers student has the opportunity to win a $1500 scholarship.

  • For full details and eligibility criteria for the Scholarship, visit our Scholarship page.

  • For full details and eligibility criteria for the Scholarship, visit our Scholarship page.

Have more questions?

If you need further information about the Wavemakers program, please don't hesitate to reach out to us – we're here to help!