Experiential Learning Requirements

Experiential Learning “supports students in gaining hands-on learning that helps them transition to employment”^[1]. Experiential Learning can take the form of co-operative education, degree work placement, clinical/field placement, fieldwork/simulation labs, capstone/applied research projects, and service learning.

Field Placement:

1. What is field placement?

Answer: Field Placement is a work experience in your final (fourth) semester. It is part of your educational experience. Placement is an opportunity to demonstrate your talent and “get a foot in the door”. One of the keys to succeeding in the animation and vfx industry is networking, and during placement, you will have the opportunity to meet and impress future colleagues and employers.

Your program coordinator or the assigned faculty for field placement course takes a very active role in facilitating field placements, however, students are entirely responsible to find their own placement with assistance (in various forms) from the faculty.

2. What are the benefits of taking field placement?

Answer: Field Placement is an opportunity to add an industry relevant entry to your resume. Of course, some field placements may result in a future paid position, but given that a large component of this industry is networking, the experience will allow students an invaluable opportunity to make professional connections and become more familiar with the industry landscape.

3. What credits or courses do I need in order to be eligible for field placement?

Answer: Before you can go on Field Placement, you must have received a passing grade in all other courses in the program.

4. How do I register for placement?

Answer: Field placement is a tuition-ed course in your fourth semester. Please observe your fees deadline. When Web-registration opens, be sure to visit myCentennial and build your timetable as you would for other semesters. If you do not register for placement, you will not be allowed to report to your placement site.

5. Why do I pay for field placement?

Answer: Your field placement hours are part of your program and contribute to the mandatory hours required to complete your program, as approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities. Payment for your entire program is distributed over the number of semesters you attend.

Mandatory non-tuition fees are also included in your fees for placement semester. These fees are reviewed and approved each new academic year by several committees and your Student Association.

During your field placement, you are still considered a student of Centennial College with all associated privileges and responsibilities. You will have access to the campus computer labs, college libraries and the college covers your Workers’ Compensation

6. Will I be paid while on placement?

Answer: Field Placement is your final semester term, during which you apply your skills, without pay, in a professional environment.

7. Will the program find me a field placement?

• Answer: The school provides you with a list of potential placement studios and will help you decide which company is right for you.
• You are expected to be proactive and seek out companies yourself and relay your information to the coordinator, who will assist you in obtaining a placement.
• Ultimately, a student is responsible for securing their own placement.

8. If not, how will I get a placement?

Answer: If the student does not perform his/her duties in finding a placement, faculty will do their utmost to assist where there have been difficulties. In worst case, a semester might be missed as opportunities are lost. Students are required to do the necessary prep work in order to secure placement.

Demo Reel Requirements and Information

• In order to obtain the Field Placement of your choice, you will need to produce an excellent Demo Reel to showcase your skills and specific areas of interest.
• The Demo Reel should contain a short excerpt of your Final Project that shows your creativity and technical abilities, along with good quality stills indicating work flow and process, a section of your storyboard, some drawings, and a comprehensive resume.
• Please be sure to digitally add your name, your contact information, and Centennial College to your Demo Reel. If you are using a group project, indicate your role in the creative process.

The status of clinical/field placements and co-op work terms will be subject to public health directives and the reopening plan. Students may complete their placement requirements at sites that are permitted to open, either onsite, following appropriate health and safety protocols, or remotely. Students will be asked to read and sign a Student Informed Consent form in order to ensure that they understand their rights and the potential health and safety risks. Similarly, employers and/or placement hosts will be required to complete an Employer/Placement Health and Safety Site Checklist.

If workplaces are not permitted to open, placements and work terms may be completed remotely where feasible. In programs where placements or unpaid internships can not be facilitated through alternative/distance models, students will be allowed to complete these components at a later date.