Gain experience before you graduate with student jobs.

Updated March 2026

It's a tale as old as time: You need experience to find a job, but can't gain experience without a job.  The number of entry-level jobs has decreased due to the uncertain economy and the advent of AI, which has increased competition for the remaining positions.

But there is a solution. Riipen enables Canadian students to gain experience before they graduate. Our signature programs provide learners with student jobs, as they work on real projects with real employers to help build their skills, networks, and professional portfolios.

And best of all? Through our programs, Riipen Labs, Level UP, and FuturePath, learners earn stipends along the way! Read on for details.

Gain hands-on experience with Riipen Labs.

For students early in their education-to-career journey or looking to change careers, Riipen Labs is the place to start. The program helps students practice their confidence and skills, including critical durable skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, and doesn’t require any prior employment experience. Participants work on short, guided projects (15-20 hours), earn a $300 stipend, and walk away with a certificate that showcases what they’ve learned.  

Renalla Hagen, a recent participant in TCC Skills Lab, found the program helpful in her journey. She shared, “It connects learners with meaningful, real-world projects that build practical skills, confidence, and professional readiness … I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to gain relevant experience and produce tangible work they can confidently showcase.”

Apply your skills to real-world projects through Level UP.

Learners looking to prove their skills in student jobs should consider Level UP. This program gives students access to a wide variety of employer projects in high-growth, high-paying industries such as advanced manufacturing and IT/software development, and helps them apply for projects that match their skills. The projects are more involved than those in Riipen Labs, and are intended to take 60 hours to complete over a 2 to 8-week time period. Because these projects are more complex, there are more opportunities for mentoring and networking, and students earn a larger stipend ($1,400).

Jasmine, a student at the University of Western Ontario, credits Level UP with helping her gain valuable experience and develop her professional network. “Before graduating, I believe gaining work experience is essential because it puts knowledge to use, develops skills, widens networks, and improves employability,” she explained. “The Level UP Program helps with this process by providing projects for practical experience, co-op positions, and internships. It also helps improve professional abilities like networking and résumé writing by putting students in touch with alumni and professionals while rewarding them. Overall by giving students the skills, contacts, and real-world knowledge, Level UP provides opportunities for students to develop the skillset they need to thrive in the workplace.”

Showcase your abilities via FuturePath.

As students progress in their academic journeys and approach graduation, they are ready to take on more advanced projects, which they can add to their resumes. FuturePath connects students with top employers for work-integrated learning experiences before graduation. The program connects students to startups, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and multinational organizations.

Rajveer Dhunna, a student at York University, was especially grateful that the projects were virtual. He struggled to find internships that would allow him to gain experience while balancing his academic commitments. “Riipen has made it possible for me to enhance my skills and build my resume while continuing my education,” he said. “My friends and colleagues should consider using Riipen because it offers flexible, meaningful opportunities that fit into a student’s busy life, making it easier to gain the experience needed to succeed in their future careers.”

Riipen empowers learners on their education-to-career journey by facilitating connections so they can gain experience through student jobs. If this sounds good to you, visit our website to get started.

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About the author:

Carol Chin is a communications consultant specializing in content creation, storytelling, and thought leadership in the education and workforce development sectors. A passionate advocate for lifelong learning, she held senior leadership roles at global education and talent development companies including Pearson, Ellucian, and Stride before starting her own company to partner with mission-driven organizations. Her work informs, inspires, and empowers learners and professionals about key issues and trends in education, career readiness, and jobs of the future.