Experiential learning opportunities are designed to help enhance your skills, provide networking opportunities and gain valuable real-world work experience, all before graduation. At Durham College (DC), we prioritize hands-on learning because it ensures that you have the knowledge, skills and experience to lead the way in your career.
From work-integrated learning to field placements to co-ops, many different types of hands-on learning give you a range of experiences. To help answer your questions and to get inspired, read on for our most popular blog posts and stories that dive deeper into this topic and meet some of our students who are thriving and career-ready as a result of experiential learning!
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DC journalism student, Andrew Neary, receives three awards for his work inside and outside the classroom
Prepare to be inspired by Andrew’s story and how his dedication to work-integrated learning landed him three impressive awards and equally impressive skills.
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Bringing the workplace to the classroom: How DC students gain real-world experience before graduation
Whether you’re a culinary student working in Bistro ’67 or an advertising and promotion student helping clients inside Collaboragency, the options to work with and serve real clients at DC are exciting and impactful!
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Answers to your top questions about hands-on learning at DC
To help you understand work-integrated learning better, we’ve answered the top five questions we hear most!
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Gaining on-the-job skills before graduation sets DC students up for success
No matter the form of learning, it’s all about gaining valuable experience while completing your studies to be job-ready on graduation day. And DC is here to help you get there.
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Video production student heads to Ottawa to highlight benefits of DC-led trip to Guatemala
Shane Friedman, a video production student, helped teach youth abroad about media production and shared the benefits of the trip with education and government leaders in Ottawa.
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Work study students enliven L Wing with original artwork
Four DC Fine Arts students transformed the L Wing with their artistic talent and built a remarkable portfolio in the process.
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Future firefighters and fitness professionals team up at DC for hands-on learning experience
Students participated in a unique, collaborative learning opportunity created in response to Canada’s fitness and first responder needs.
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DC serves up unique student learning opportunities at Harvest Dinner
This signature event offered students from a number of programs opportunities to create an unforgettable dining experience for the community.
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Leading the way with AI: How Durham College can prepare you for the future
The demand for professionals with expertise in AI is rapidly evolving and DC’s AI Hub is offering students the opportunity to work on real-world projects in the field of AI.
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Have a specific question about experiential learning? Email co-op@durhamcollege.ca to connect with a member of the Experiential Learning team today!
At Durham College (DC), gaining hands-on learning in your chosen field isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a must. Offering creative and engaging work experience opportunities ensures you have the hands-on expertise required to lead the way in your career, and the options are impressive.
Check out some of the opportunities to work with and serve real clients and members of the public while offering benefits to our community as well. A true win-win.
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Bistro ’67
Students from the Faculty of Hospitality and Horticultural Science have the opportunity to work collaboratively at Bistro ‘67, DC’s full-service, green-certified teaching and learning restaurant, which is also considered one of Canada’s most scenic restaurants. Here, culinary management students prepare flavourful dishes inspired by fresh ingredients from DC’s own gardens and other local suppliers across Durham Region. Members of the community who are looking for a unique field-to-fork dining experience can book a reservation at Bistro ‘67 online.
Culinary Management and Event Planning students also have the opportunity put their skills to use for special events on and off campus, as well as raising funds for a Faculty Classroom Led Abroad trip to Italy each January.
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Collaboragency
Students from DC's Faculty of Media, Art & Design have the chance to work together to serve real clients inside the college’s full-service communications agency, Collaboragency. From social media strategy development, creative advertising and brand strategy to media planning and promotion, future advertising and marketing professionals have a unique opportunity to put their skills to use in the real world while supporting local business owners through communications and marketing help at a reasonable cost.
Interested in hiring the Collaboragency team? Schedule a free consultation online.
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Dental Clinic
DC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting students gain first-hand experience working with clients in the college’s working dental clinic at Oshawa campus. The clinic is open to the public and accepts patients of all ages. Students provide dental hygiene care to clients under the supervision of registered dental hygiene faculty members and a licensed dentist.
For a low one-time fee, clients can receive services including X-rays, dental cleanings, periodontal scaling, oral cancer screenings, topical fluoride treatments, an examination by a dentist, plus so much more.
To learn more and to book an appointment, visit the Dental Clinic online.
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Justice Hub
The Justice Hub (the Hub) at the Durham Community Legal Clinic provides a field placement opportunity for DC’s Paralegal diploma and Paralegal Graduate Certificate students to offer legal services to members of the community who have limited resources, under the supervision of a licensed lawyer or paralegal. Students in DC's Paralegal Bachelor’s Degree program will have access to the Hub in 2026.
The Hub helps the community reduce poverty and homelessness rates, improve clients physical and mental health, as well as increase collaboration between social service and justice agencies.
Community members can apply for legal services through the Justice Hub by completing the online intake form.
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DC Spa
Students in the Massage Therapy, Cosmetic Techniques and Management and Esthetician – Spa Management programs gain real-world experience in a professional working spa open to the public at Oshawa campus. Accompanied and supervised by trained professionals, students perform a number of treatments and services while clients benefit from a lower cost as DC Spa prices are set to correspond with the developing skill levels of student practitioners.
Interested in booking a treatment? Visit the DC Spa online to explore a comprehensive list of services.
At DC, we believe the best way to succeed in your chosen field is to immerse yourself in it. This will help you develop the skills you’ve learned in the classroom, network with others in your industry and gain real-world work experience to give you a competitive advantage in the workforce.
Discover the different types of experiential learning at DC online.
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