• Outside Looking In
    Indigenous Professional Studies Certificate Program

    Thank you for your interest in Outside Looking In’s OLI  Indigenous Professional Studies Certificate Program

    We’re excited to introduce our Indigenous Professional Studies Certificate Program designed for emerging Indigenous Professionals. The program offers ambitious young Indigenous professionals with mentorship, community, industry access, and career development support, with possibilities for internships, paid work experience and scholarships. In this program you will develop tools and networks to move from potential to opportunity, transforming uncertainty into confidence, turning professional connections into career success.

    This program is your next step toward building new skills and unlocking meaningful career opportunities!

    Our Impact

    Empowerment in and through Mentorship
    Sustained/Accessible Professional Development
    Community & Network Building
    Proximity to Internships, industry leaders and change makers 

     

    Program Highlights 

    • Certificate in Professional Studies: Weekly short sessions covering 5 high-demand career streams. Completing the program will help build your career portfolio and provide a formal certificate.

     

    • Tuition Waived: No cost to participate in the program! No exams! Short, easy activities result in practical tools you will use to build a digital brand, career portfolio to get networking with industry professionals. 

     

    • Dedicated Mentorship: You will be partnered with mentors to explore resources, scholarships, internships, and career pathways.
      Scholarship Eligibility: eligible participants can apply for scholarships

     

    • Travel to Toronto: Participants are eligible to apply for an exciting week-long career exploration in Feb 2027! Build your LinkedIn profile, perfect your resume and interview skills, and explore careers in technology, artificial intelligence, security, human resources, law etc.. Participate in meetings with corporate partners at their offices, plus fun activities and networking opportunities. Travel, meals, and accommodations are fully covered!

     

    • Paid work experience opportunities: Eligible to Apply for employment opportunities with Outside Looking In (April-August 2027).

     

    • Technology Access: Participants may receive a laptop computer as part of the program, which they can keep upon successful completion.

     

    Gain insights into five key career streams:

    1. Technology & Trades
    2. Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy
    3. Climate Leadership & Environment
    4. Public Service 
    5. The Arts

     

    Time Commitment (What to Expect)

    • Orientation: Attend a virtual webinar in November 2026, date TBD.
      Foundation Building: weekly virtual session 1.5 hour scheduled Zoom calls starting November 2026  (Tuesday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm EST).

     

    • Guest Speaker Series: Engaging Panel Talk presentations with industry leaders, change makers and other professionals!  January 2027 to end of February 2027 (Tuesday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm EST).

     

    • Meet Your Mentor: Participate in virtual sessions with your assigned mentors

     

    • Discovery Week 2027: Possibly Attend Career Discovery Week in Toronto (February 01 to 04, 2027), travel and accommodations provided).

     

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    Eligibility

    Applicants must be:

    • Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Métis)
    • 18 to 30 years of age
    • Highly Encouraged that 3rd and 4th Year Post Secondary Students (University, College) Apply
    • Emerging Indigenous Professionals (recent post-secondary grads, graduate students etc.)
    • Must be interested in learning about career streams in any of the five careers streams mentioned above.
    • Have technological capacity (use of laptop, personal computer, device etc.) to participate virtually in online sessions. OLI Facilitators operate on Eastern Standard Time EST
      Application Instructions

    Please review the program details above and complete the application below to apply. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory.

    If you have any questions about the program or application process, please email Alan Faigal(he/him) Associate Director, Programs at professionalstudies@olishow.com  

     

  • Personal Information

  • Birthday*
     - -
    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Your Indigenous Identity:*
  • If requested; be required to provide proof of Indigenous Identity:*

  • Program Eligibility

  • Have you completed a previous OLI Program?*
  • What OLI programs have you completed? (Please check all that apply)*
  • How would you describe your current education status?*
  • Are you working towards a:*
  • Which career streams listed below are of most interest to you? (Please check all that apply)*

  • Career Goals & Interests

  • How would you describe your current employment status?*
  • Have you decided what career you would like to pursue?*
  • What are your current career goals? (Please check all that apply)*
  • What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing your career or education? (Please check all that apply)*
  • Do you currently have access to the resources you need to pursue your career goals? (Please check all that apply)*

  • Community Connections

  • How do you currently contribute to the community?* “Community” is however you define and interpret (Please select all that apply)*

  • Program Expectations & Commitments

    To earn OLI’s Certificate in Professional Studies, you are required to complete up to 40 hours, which includes weekly virtual sessions, mentor check-ins, and a possible week-long in-person learning event in Toronto.
  • This program includes weekly virtual sessions (Tuesday evenings 7pm to 8:30pm EST). Can you commit to 1.5 hours per week from  November 2026 to end of February 2027? Tentative start is Nov 10th TBC*
  • This program pairs each participant with dedicated mentors to support your personal and professional growth. Have you worked with a mentor before? If yes, how did this experience impact you?*
  • This program includes a possible multi-day career development trip to Toronto scheduled for the week of February 01st, 2027. Travel, meals, and accommodations costs will be provided. Are you interested in applying for this trip?*

  • Participants in the program may be eligible to apply for internships. Possibly with Sun Life Financial or with Outside Looking In.

     

  • Would you be interested in applying for an internship?*

  • Final Reflection

  • Agreement & Communication

  • Next Steps

    Once OLI receives your completed application, it will be carefully reviewed, and you will receive an email within one week of the application deadline outlining the next steps.

    Please note that this is a selection process. Submitting an application is the first step, but we want to ensure all applicants meet the eligibility criteria and are fully prepared for the program’s commitments.


    To help with this, we may schedule an introductory call/seminar to discuss your goals and determine whether this program is the right fit for you. This conversation will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions about the program!


    Thank you for your interest in the Indigenous Professional Studies Certificate Program!!

     

     

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