Page 25 - EUREKA Winter 2017

Carleton computer science student Anna Malchow-Perryman shows her skills to Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation,
Science and Economic Development at a launch event for the internships at Shopify’s downtown Ottawa head office in October.
in Canada is one of the attractions for schools, but also through the local Girl “We’ll be able to give credit for
Shopify, even if students don’t stay Develop It! community, a non-profit skills that are impossible to get in
with the company after graduation. organization that provides affordable the classroom, where you can only
It’s part of Shopify’s focus on good programs for adult women interested simulate what people do in the real
citizenship, says Carmichael. in learning web and software world, not contribute to a platform
“Shopify and Carleton are showing development. “A lot of women don’t that thousands of people are using.
real leadership,” said Navdeep Bains, apply for these types of programs Curriculum-aligned work-integrated
Canada’s Minister of Innovation, because of a lack of confidence,” says learning — that’s what makes this
Science and Economic Development, Carmichael. “A little encouragement program unique.”
who attended an event celebrating the goes a long way.” If this year’s pilot is successful, the
collaboration at Shopify’s downtown Seven of the interns are coming program could be expanded to around
Ottawa offices in October. “Canada right from high school; the others are 15 new students next fall — and, further
needs to do a better job of preparing mature students. “Students need the down the road, rolled out so Carleton
people at all stages of life for a rapidly same background as other computer can partner with other companies,
changing job market. Programs science students,” says Carmichael, “as and Shopify with other universities.
such as the unique one launched by well as something that sets them apart, “Everybody on my team at Shopify is
Shopify and Carleton will help students such as prior software development really excited,” says Carmichael. “It’s
integrate more quickly into the experience.” The program, she adds, going to be amazing to see what these
workforce after they graduate.” “provides an opportunity to do students can do.”
meaningful work much sooner in your
Shopify and Carleton are also degree — you’re contributing as part
working toward more gender equity of a team. It’s also an opportunity for
in a traditionally male-dominated more personalized education. You can
discipline. Six of the 11 students are really do the things you’re passionate
women, a big step in a field that’s about. This is great for a certain type
usually 10 to 15 percent female. The of learner: understanding the ‘why’
interns were not only recruited at high before the ‘what’ can be very powerful.

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