The Antarctic Institute of Canada (AIC) is a non-profit Canadian charity organization founded by former Antarctic researcher Austin Mardon in 1985. Its original aim was to lobby for the federal government of Canada to increase the extent of Canadian research in the Antarctic. However, AIC slowly diversified and initiated programs for students to publish academic writing, research, and multimedia in many fields, expanding far beyond the organization’s original focus. Sharpen the Quill is a non-profit organization supported by AIC that highlights academic writing, research, and multimedia.
Through the Level UP remote internship program, Angela Kazmierczak was selected to work on research and writing projects for Sharpen the Quill (under the AIC umbrella).
Angela, a Northern Alberta Institute of Technology student, analyzed research findings that she then communicated in written content in ways others would find interesting and informative.
Angela found a lot of value in this experience from start to finish. Expectations were made very clear about project goals. She knew who to ask when she had questions and always felt safe asking.
“It was a really great work environment,” Angela shared.
The project also really stretched Angela’s skills and views of her future.
“It showed me where my strengths lie and some things I may need to work on. Overall, this project has confirmed what I want to do with my career. For that, I’m very grateful.”
The AIC was grateful to work with Angela as well.
“Angela significantly contributed to the success of the AIC project with her extensive skills and knowledge. Her adept research and precise attention to detail facilitated the creation of high-caliber content, adhering to the rigorous standards of academic publication,” the organization shared.
Angela contributed more than just her writing and research skills. Her ability to work well with others greatly impacted the project’s outcomes.
“Her dedication and cooperative spirit enhanced the team's collaborative dynamics, fostering a richer learning environment and ensuring the project’s objectives were met effectively.”
This project significantly contributed to the AIC’s extensive work and benefited the student participants.
“The outcomes achieved through the project were highly valuable, resulting primarily in substantial publications for the students and a rich development of knowledge within the participating individuals. This provided the students with a platform to showcase their expertise and insights, further enriching their academic profiles,” the non-profit shared.
Angela is looking forward to sharing her work with future employers.
“This is something I can put on my resume. It shows I’m working toward my career, and I’m taking those steps while in school to develop skills in an outside environment. I think it is a very valuable experience.”
The AIC likewise sees much value in fostering talented students like Angela through the Level UP program.
“The Level UP program has significantly and positively impacted the AIC. The program has actively diversified our recruitment pipeline, introducing us to a more diverse pool of candidates and enriching our team with fresh perspectives. It has also contributed to building management and supervisory capacity within our team as we mentor and guide these young professionals.”
The Level UP program also has helped the AIC operationally as well.
“Moreover, the Level UP program has supported our organization's growth by providing us with paid talent, allowing us to allocate resources effectively and invest in strategic initiatives, ultimately contributing to our success. Level UP has helped us streamline the process of working with students and reduce the administrative burden on our organization. By partnering with Level UP, we have tapped into a pool of talented students without straining our budget.”
Working with the Level UP program and the AIC allowed Angela to strengthen her writing and research skills and to learn more about areas she can improve. This experience helped her grow as a professional.
“I’m very grateful for the experience. I highly recommend other students seize this opportunity,” she enthusiastically shared.
Thank you to Angela Kazmierczak for sharing her experience on Riipen. To learn more about how you can get started with the Level UP remote internship program as a student or employer, visit the website here. Stay updated with the latest in higher education, experiential learning, and the future of work, and subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Riipen Report.
Riipen Level UP program is funded by the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.
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