Visit the ‘Am I eligible?’ section below for other qualifying details.
Visit the ‘Am I eligible?’ section below for other qualifying details.
What is the Student Employment Initiative (SEI) Program?
As a collaboration between the Department of Career & Experiential Learning and the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility, the Student Employment Initiative (SEI) is an employment and experiential program designed to assist SMU students with disabilities and/or accessibility needs in securing employment on and off campus.
To enroll, students must be registered with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC), in addition to other qualifying criteria listed below. Employment opportunities are posted throughout the year on Career360° and listed under the 'Student Employment Initiative Program' tab found on the left side navigation menu.
Additional Information
To enroll, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Nova Scotia permanent resident with declared disability on NS Student Loans Portal
- Canadian domestic student registered with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility
Not sure if you qualify or have questions about declaring your disability? Reach out to sei@smu.ca for support and guidance or book an appointment with us!
- Login to Career360° under the ‘Student’ tab using your SMU email and password.
- Click the 'Student Employment Initiative Program' tab in the menu bar on the left side of your screen. This is the sixth (6) tab from the top.
- Click on the ‘Apply to a Program’ button on the top right corner and complete the application form. After submitting your application, you will hear back from the SEI Program Lead within a week. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Program Lead at sei@smu.ca!
- Gain paid employment and/or volunteer experience in your field of interest
- Further develop your skills and competencies through SEI-exclusive workshops and events
- SEI students can offer a 50% wage subsidy to potential employers
- Remain enrolled in SEI and qualify for the wage subsidy for six months following graduation
- Receive an official certificate upon program completion
The SEI Program also offers students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on volunteer experience through the Experiential Pathway, designed for students who do not have prior experience working. Through the Experiential Pathway, students complete at least 10 hours of volunteering before moving on to explore paid opportunities.
The Student Employment Initiative – Service Learning (SEI-SL) Bursary:
Incentivizes students with accessibility needs to accept volunteer opportunities in the SL program. The goal of the bursary is to work towards equity, diversity, and inclusion in SL and ease barriers to participation.
To qualify for the bursary, students must meet all the following requirements:
- Active domestic undergraduate or graduate students currently registered in a SL course.
- Enrolled in a SL experience coordinated by the SL Office.
- Enrolled in the SEI Program or eligible to register.
Each bursary per student is $250 and up to 10 students may be awarded per calendar year.
- Workplace Wellness Workshop, November 4th at 4pm (Online)
- SEI Student Study Session, November 25th 5:30pm - 7:30pm (Location TBA)
- Public Speaking Workshop, November 28th at 4pm (Online)
For more information about these events, or to sign up, email sei@smu.ca.