Jade Gauthier, fourth-year Communications student, is crafting climate-conscious content for one of the community’s respected employers.  

Though graduation is a year away, she’s joined the Sustainability team at The Regional Municipality of Durham as their new climate communications and research assistant for the summer.  

It’s a dream job for Jade– one that she’s realized as a direct result of the practical experience and networking opportunities provided by the Communications Field Placement Course (COMM 4800Y) offered at Trent University Durham Greater Toronto Area.  

“Through my program, I was able to find a placement with an employer that connected with my goal to build a career in communications,” said Jade. “I knew I wanted to specialize in climate communications, so working with a leader in sustainability like Durham Region was a perfect fit.” 

As a Field Placement student, she developed engaging content for Durham Region's audiences and supported climate-related research analysis.  

“It was a real privilege to join such a dynamic team for this placement,” added Jade. "I’m honoured that that the Region has offered me the opportunity to continue working with them through the summer. It’s the start of a career that I’ve been building towards throughout my time as a student.”     

The course also offers a benefit to employers. Ian McVey, Manager of Sustainability for Durham Region, was pleased to host a Field Placement student on his team.

“Trent students arrive with the skills they need to contribute to a modern workplace,” said McVey. “They bring a fresh perspective, finding innovative ways to promote the Region’s climate resilience plans with messaging that resonates with the community.”   

COMM 4800Y students work collaboratively with instructor Dr. Andrew Monti to find a placement that is well-suited to their career goals.  

“We learn by doing – that’s why our Communications program at Trent Durham GTA offers placements and internships with top employers that encourage students to apply their knowledge and skills in the workplace,” said Dr. Monti.  

The course also prepares students for the job application process, offers them strategies to navigate networking opportunities, and helps them secure letters of recommendation they can carry with them into the workforce.  

“Our field placement students get first-hand professional experiences through which they assist employers with their projects and then can reflect on how well the work itself aligns with their genuine interests,”, added Dr. Monti. “It’s all about preparing them for their post-graduation transition, by giving them a head-start on their careers and the confidence to pursue their ambitions." 

As for Jade, she’s feeling more and more ready to make that transition. This summer, she will continue to fill her resume with new experiences like drafting web content, comparator research, and tabling at community events to get the word out about Durham Region’s climate strategy.  

“The key word is confidence,” said Jade. “After taking the Communications field placement course, I’m assured of my ability to both market myself to employers and deliver results for them.” 

Learn more about the Communications program, offered exclusively at Trent Durham GTA.