Lauren is the the Director of Work Integrated Learning Connections at College of the North Atlantic. She holds a Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University, along with training in instructional design and selection board criteria with GNL.

Her career spans post-secondary education, healthcare, and government, where she’s developed strong expertise in student development, training design and delivery, and professional development initiatives. She has extensive experience leading work-integrated learning programs, managing co-op and placement activities, and building meaningful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

She is passionate about advancing experiential learning opportunities that support student success and workforce readiness, and values a collaborative, strategic approach to creating impactful learning experiences.

n a rapidly shifting labour market, organizations are searching for innovative strategies to remain competitive, agile, and future‑focused. One of the most effective yet underutilized approaches is the intentional hiring of students through internships, co‑ops, and other work‑integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Students bring immediate value: fresh perspectives, digital fluency, adaptability, and contemporary training aligned with emerging industry needs. When organizations create meaningful roles for student talent, they not only address short‑term capacity challenges but also build long‑term talent pipelines that strengthen retention and workforce readiness.

This session explores the strategic advantages of hiring students and how HR leaders can leverage these roles to support organizational goals. Participants will gain insight into labour market trends driving the increased demand for early‑career talent and learn practical ways to integrate students into their teams to enhance innovation, productivity, and diversity. The session offers actionable tools for designing high‑impact student positions, effective onboarding and supervision practices, and fostering partnerships with post‑secondary institutions.

Drawing on real‑world examples and evidence‑based best practices, this presentation demonstrates how student hiring is not simply a recruitment tactic—it is a proactive workforce development strategy. Attendees will leave with clear, practical frameworks to maximize the value of student talent and strengthen their organization’s competitiveness in a rapidly evolving world of work.

CPHR Members: Free

Non-Members: $25+ tax