Getting hands-on work experience through your program is a great way to start networking and learn valuable skills in your field. Many programs at Mohawk College offer experiential learning opportunities, and many future students are excited to learn what to expect before they enter their field placement or co-op position.
Jessica Simpson, a student in the Early Childhood Education Diploma program at Mohawk College, is currently completing her practicum placement working in a kindergarten classroom. “What you learn in the classroom really helps you in the work field,” she says. “You learn how to translate the ideas of what you learned in school to the field.”
Jessica remembers wondering what placement would be like, and now that she’s settled in, she is eager to share a typical day in the life of her placement with future students.
“To start the day, I show up at the kindergarten class and I prepare the classroom, stack all the chairs, and I put out the letter boards on the table. When the kids arrive, I help them unpack for the day and then get them all settled on the carpet,” says Jessica.
“Once the kids are settled, we do their carpet time where they practice the months of the year, the days of the week, letters, everything like that. Then, I prepare and do some activities with the children.”
“After that, it’s lunch break. I stay, supervise the children during their lunch and help them when needed. Following lunch is outdoor time. I help prepare them, get their winter stuff on, supervise them outside, and when they come in, I help them when needed and get them ready for the end of the day,” she says.
Her favourite part of the job is getting to watch kids be kids. “I enjoy doing activities that are child led the most. Spontaneous activities throughout the day,” says Jessica. “If some kids were at the art centre, I would go and make arts and crafts with them. Or if they were at the block centre, we would build blocks together. Just spontaneous activities with them, I enjoyed.”
The placement provided her with experiential learning opportunities for subjects that had yet to be covered in class. “I got to work with children that had autism or behavioural problems, and I got to learn how to make and implement different plans adjusted to their needs, which I haven't really learned much in class yet,” says Jessica.
The experience Jessica is gaining through her placement will help her take her next steps after completing the Early Childhood Education program. “I either want to open a home daycare, or I want to look into going back to college again for the Brain Disorders Management Graduate Certificate and furthering my education,” she said.
Jessica has advice for students entering the program to take with them into their placements and careers. “If this is something that you enjoy and that you're really passionate about, you will succeed in it,” she says. “It could be difficult at times, but it's always a very rewarding job, and always rewarding to help the kids.”
