Queen's Concurrent Education/Arts

In its favour

• Access to specialized federal employment programs: The Aboriginal Student Employment Program at Health Canada provides practical employment in your field of study and federal recruitment explicitly targets Indigenous graduates.
• Real networking advantage: Employers often hire people they know, and you can build your network through clubs, classes, and informational interviews—this degree opens doors in a tight community.
• Growing sector: Thousands of Indigenous job postings exist across Canada, and governments are committing to hire Indigenous peoples for policy and program roles.
• Land-based learning: Indigenous Studies offers courses on how to work respectfully and productively with Indigenous communities and organizations through experiential and land-based learning.

Worth knowing

• Heavy reliance on internships and co-op: Working in your desired field through co-op programs and internships is very important to gain industry experience—without this, entry-level jobs are harder to find.
• Narrow entry-level path: Most postings target specific sectors (government, non-profits, Indigenous organizations). Private sector jobs are rare, limiting flexibility early on.
• Graduate degree often expected: Additional education and training may be required, and many mid-level positions require a Master's degree or doctorate.
• Competitive networking field: Your success depends heavily on relationships and reputation within a relatively small professional community in Canada.