Our flagship iLEAD Business Experience Certificate, allows you to Learn through Experience, Action and Discovery while earning credits toward your business degree. The program is designed to help you gain valuable and relevant work experience through activities such as directed studies, writing an honours thesis, participating in workplace internships or studying overseas. The iLEAD program allows your learning to transcend the classroom so you can hone your personal and professional skills and realize success in all facets of your life.
For more information on how to get involved, email ilead@nipissingu.ca.
“iLEAD allowed me the opportunity to take the skills I learned in the classroom, and apply them to real life situations and clients. The iLEAD program has provided me with networking, research and job opportunities outside the scope of the typical in-class program; and has given me a competitive edge as I enter the workforce.”
Gillian McCaskill - BBA
Why take iLEAD courses?
- Gain valuable and relevant work experience
- Assist with research projects and/or investigate a real-life business problem
- Build strong leadership, professional, and personal skills
- Internationalize your degree and experience different cultures
- Demonstrate initiative and involvement
- Looks great on a resume
iLEAD Business Experience Certificate
Students have the option to complete the iLEAD Business Experience Certificate or elect to take one or two iLEAD courses as elective credits.
The iLEAD Business Experience Certificate will be awarded to Business students at the time of graduation, who as part of their studies, successfully complete 15 credits to satisfy the Certificate requirements. Learn More...
“Having the opportunity to participate in iLEAD and work one on one with my professor, while researching a topic that was near and dear to me, was an amazing experience. What I have taken out of this is not only the educational aspect of learning to write a thesis, developing a research question and doing a literature review, but also the journey of learning about myself and helping me figure out what I want to do with my future.”
Dezai Bair-Patel – BBA, 2016
Application Process
- Schedule a meeting with the School of Business Coordinator.
- Speak with a faculty member about being your faculty supervisor for the course.
- Complete the iLEAD Application Form.
- The School of Business will let you know if your application is approved. If approved, you will be eligible to register for the course on WebAdvisor.
Application Due Dates
The deadline for the iLEAD course applications is 4 weeks prior to the University registration deadline for the corresponding term.
| Application Due Date | Course Start |
|---|---|
| Friday, August 4, 2023 | Tuesday, September 5, 2023 (FA) |
| Friday, December 8, 2023 | Monday, January 8, 2024 (WI) |
| Friday, April 5, 2024 | Monday, May 6, 2024 (SS) |
“I am forever grateful for my experience within the iLEAD program. I had the invaluable opportunity to research and apply critical thinking towards an industry that is commonly overlooked by many educational institutions. Through the program, I was able to proactively evaluate and navigate a rapidly evolving business environment, with continuous support from a faculty supervisor. iLEAD expands outside typical in-class instruction, providing opportunities to enhance your personal brand and establish competitive advantages for post-graduation. It’s experiential opportunities like iLEAD that truly provide Nipissing University students with more than a degree.”
Jordan Boehk – BBA, 2021
iLEAD Expeditions
ADMN-4346 Field-Based Consulting Project (iLEAD)
iLEAD Germany Expedition
Gain international work experience with a global brand (e.g. ADIDAS, PUMA) through this unique partnership with Ohio University and the University of Bayreuth. Students work in cross-cultural teams and apply their creative minds to solve a problem posed by the client organization. The iLEAD Germany Expedition is a two week consulting project, usually in late May and early June, and offers opportunities to explore the local Bavarian culture. This three-credit course includes pre-departure preparation meetings in the Winter term ahead of the Spring term travel.
Watch the video to see what our students have to say about the experience.
ADMN-3336 Special Projects (iLEAD)
iLEAD Jamaica Expedition
For the past several years, faculty and students from the School of Business have been visiting Jamaica during the winter reading week to volunteer with small businesses engaged in sustainable tourism or community development. The students apply their skills, knowledge, and talents to identify challenges faced by the business and provide the business with solutions and recommendations. This three-credit course includes pre-departure preparation meetings during the Winter term.
ADMN-3337 Field Placement I (iLEAD) & ADMN-4337 Field Placement II (iLEAD)
During their Field Placement, students work within an organization or business and gain insights into its operations and practices. As they contribute their talents, knowledge, and energy, students gain valuable work experience and confidence, build on their expertise, and enhance their soft skills.
Field Placement Application Requirements
Students must submit the following to the School of Business:
- iLEAD application form
- Letter of support from organization and faculty supervisor
- Position description/ work plan
- Unofficial transcript from WebAdvisor
"Any student that has the opportunity to participate in the iLEAD program in the School of Business should definitely do so. I would highly recommend this program without hesitation. Not only did I learn about the accounting field that I want to enter into as a professional after graduation, but I also got to experience, prepare and participate in the workforce. I had the opportunity to expand my learning in a number of fields and apply my knowledge and skills in the areas of accounting, human resources, organizational behaviour, and marketing during my field placements. I got paid to do an internship while earning credits toward school, how cool is that?
I will take the things that I did throughout obtaining my iLEAD certificate with me throughout my entire career; it was a great experience and definitely helped me grow as a young adult who is soon entering the workforce.”
Emma Hough - BBA
As a general statement, Jessica was either the best or one of the most proficient iLead students we have hosted at PosPro and I think that is worth noting. Not only did she perform well, but in finding out she has ended up taking a job in our industry, we felt it was a bit of a testament to our work here too. Jessica ended up having to head back home to New Brunswick mainly due to COVID uncertainty. However, if she was able to stay in Ontario, we are confident she would have been our next Business Manager.
We look forward to working with you folks again next year and also will be looking into the possibility of a co-op student potentially next year as well.
Kevin Wilton BBA (Hon.)/C.A.L.E.
Director of Operations
iLEAD student – Winter 2021
