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For Employers
Every year, Print Futures has a new crop of student writers looking for work-experience opportunities in research, writing, editing, and document design and print production, or some combination of these areas.
If you'd like to become a program partner, we welcome your interest.
- Check out the list of program partners since 2000
- Contact the coordinator at printfutures@douglas.bc.ca
- Get the ball rolling right away by completing the employer questionnaire
We're also happy to circulate job postings to our graduates.
Recommended deadlines for prospective employers:
February 15 for summer term (May to August)
June 15 for fall term (September to December)
October 15 for winter term (January to April)
Employers usually want to know the answers to these questions:
1. What is Print Futures?
It's a professional writing program. Established in 1991, this two-year diploma program provides intensive instruction in technical, public relations, business, magazine, and trade-publication writing. Students also receive training in research, editing, and document design and production. By graduation, they are skilled users of MS Word, Dreamweaver, and InDesign. They also are familiar with Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat.
2. How will my company benefit?
You'll have a smart, skilled, deadline-oriented student to help you with specific writing and related projects over a substantial period of time. At Douglas College, the work-experience course is a minimum of 180 hours to a maximum of about four to five months. Typically, the course is organized to accommodate the employer and the student. For example, a student might work full-time for six weeks or part-time for 10 hours a week for four or five months. A letter of agreement will confirm the details of the work-experience term.
3. When do students do their work experience?
All students must complete a work-experience course to graduate from the program. Most students complete their work experience in the summer (mid-April to August) between their first and second year of full-time studies, though part-time students may be available throughout the year. About 30 students participate in the course each year.
4. How much are students paid during their work experience?
Hourly rates for Print Futures students have ranged from $10 to $25, with most students being paid an hourly rate of $12 to $14. Paid work-experience terms have a salary cost to your company of $1,800 and up, but the benefits are proven. Douglas College's Workers' Compensation Board policy covers students on unpaid work experience; the employer is responsible for WCB coverage for students on paid work experience. We prefer paid work-experience terms, though some students will work on an unpaid basis for nonprofit groups or for companies that offer invaluable opportunities. Unpaid work-experience terms are restricted to 180 hours.
5. Are there any other expectations?
The work-experience course is a learning opportunity for your student. You'll evaluate your student's work and progress. The student will write a report on his or her work-experience semester. And the student will schedule a site visit for the Print Futures coordinator, work-experience supervisor, and student to discuss the student's performance.
6. What's your track record?
Since 2000, Print Futures program participants have worked with more than 100 companies, government offices, publications, and organizations in the Lower Mainland, elsewhere in Canada, and abroad. Their jobs ranged from editorial assistants and reporters, to technical writers and report writers, to communications assistants and public relations officers, and more.
7. I've got a project. What's my next step?
Fill out the employer questionnaire. Or contact the coordinator, Maureen Nicholson, at 604-527-5292 or printfutures@douglas.bc.ca . You'll work with her to develop a job description that is posted to eligible and interested Print Futures students. Students apply directly to the company or through the Print Futures coordinator, whichever you prefer. You interview as many or as few students as you wish, and you choose the student who best fits your company's needs.
Last updated December 2010
