Carleton's practicum placements offer students the possibility of working for one academic term in a community organization in exchange for course credit. Placements may be in-person or virtual. Students who do work placements gain the opportunity to apply their academic studies to professional work experiences, develop professional skills, become more involved with the career planning process, and make valuable contacts in the community.
Third- and fourth-year students in Sociology and Anthropology can enroll in this program, which provides a 0.5 course credit to those who complete a one-course equivalent number of hours of unpaid work (6-8 hours/week over the Winter term). Students interested in participating in the SOCI 3950/ANTH 3950 practicum in the Winter term should contact Professor Blair Rutherford at Blair.Rutherford@carleton.ca by the October 1st prior to the Winter term in which they are interested in doing a placement.
Some recent institutions to host student workers in Sociology or Anthropology include: Statistics Canada, Planned Parenthood, Parkdale Food Centre, Seed Change, The National Capital Commission, The Community Coalition On Refugee and Immigrant Concerns, The City for All Women Initiative, Street Smarts, Media Smarts, Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, The Mathare Social Justice Centre, Somerset West Community Health Centre, Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health, and the Digi60 Film Festival. These practicums have given students great opportunities to put into action the critical thinking and research methods skills that they have been developing throughout their anthropology and sociology courses.
The video below describes the benefits of the practicum and placement courses, outlines their differences with the co-op program, and answers common student questions.