Lakehead University is partnering with the software company OpenText to open up 25 full-time summer internships for Indigenous students.
The positions will go from May to August 2022 are available for students studying at Lakehead University’s Thunder Bay, Orillia, and Barrie campuses.
This will allow students to intern at OpenText remotely in software engineering, marketing, finance, information technology, and human resource departments.
Vice Provost of Indigenous Affairs with LU Denise Baxter explains the importance of initiatives such a this.
“This partnership that we’re celebration with OpenText is a perfect example about how our university is moving forward to advance our strategic priorities,” explains Baxter. “Lakehead University has one of its core commitments to continuing to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action, and University Canada’s principles on Indigenous education, recognizing always that education is key to reconciliation.”
OpenText is a leader in information management, helping companies capture, govern, and exchange information on a global scale. They solve business challenges for customers, ranging from small businesses to larger organizations.
Lakehead University’s Vice-Chancellor Dr. Moira McPherson explains more about the partnership, and the benefits it will have for students.
“It really furthers our commitment to reconciliation as a long-term reciprocal relationship that we remain committed to,” says Dr. McPherson. “Students will be working directly with OpenTexters as mentors throughout the year leading up to these internships, so they have an opportunity to learn about the field, have an opportunity to work specifically with the mentors, and through that learn those valuable technical skills, and the confidence and knowledge that will prepare them to build their career post-graduation.”
Lakehead University had over 1,000 self-identified Indigenous students enrolled in 2020, representing 12 per cent of the University’s domestic student population. This is one of the highest among Ontario universities.
Students that are interested can visit Lakehead University’s website to learn more about the internship and register for the opportunity.
