Since 1997 CAREERS has been bridging the gap connecting youth and industry by facilitating internships at local companies for high-school aged students. Through the CAREERS program students are able to test drive different careers while earning money.  Companies not only position themselves at the onset of the talent pipeline but also get access to subsidized energetic talent looking to gain valuable experience.

ShiftyEye Studios, a Calgary based game studio, hired three highschool interns over the summer of 2023 through the CAREERS program. CEO Tuncer Deniz was initially unsure what to expect out of high school aged students, however he was immediately impressed by the level of professionalism and new perspectives they brought to the team. “The students really dug into our game and submitted a ton of bugs, many of which we didn’t even know about so it was extremely helpful. We also wanted to make sure it was educational for them, so we made lesson plans so they could learn a little bit about Unity, the tool we use to make the game. They also learned, hands on, on how to do 3D modeling, level design, and animation.”

Jacob, one of the students interning at ShiftyEye talked about his experience, “I learned the basics of many different systems used in game creation such as Maya, Blender, and Unity from many mentors with decades of experience. In addition, working within a professional workspace has showcased how to act and present professionally.”

Not only do internships allow students to gain hands-on experience, but they also allow companies to integrate new perspectives and experiences into their workforce. ShiftyEye is a great example of how youth can positively contribute to a tech company. “Overall it was great. They were punctual, eager to learn, and offered us some great feedback.”

Funding is available for companies interested in bringing on interns through the CAREERS program. To learn more visit https://www.careersnextgen.ca/support-an-intern/