Jeremie Carreau

Manager, Experiential Learning, Canadore College

1. How many years have you been working in Co-op/WIL and/or Experiential Learning?

I’ve been at Canadore College since October 2022 when I started in my role as Manager of Experiential Learning. This was a new position at the College and it has been a privilege to work with colleagues supporting EL across all faculty areas as we strive for better outcomes for students and community partners through improved and efficient placement administration, and support broader EL initiatives in pursuit of excellence in this key strategic area of focus.

2. Tell us a little bit about your career and why you do what you do?

I followed my passion for the outdoors and went to Laurentian University after high school for a BPHE specialized in Outdoor Adventure Leadership. After bouncing around in related guiding, instructing, and teaching roles, and with graduate studies under my belt (MHK from LU), I found my calling in the field of therapeutic adventure working with at-risk youth in a renowned program located on the edge of Algonquin Park. Forced to move on from this privileged work due to a government decision to cease funding, and with significant experience in post-secondary education in my repertoire, I found Canadore College. Opportunities abound in my role at the College to leverage my years of experience in experiential learning from front-line instructor to senior administrator and I am honoured to be leading the EL portfolio in collaboration with the Academic and relevant support areas at Canadore.

3. What have been some of your 'ah-ha' moments in your professional experience?

I used to teach Wilderness First Aid training to participants from a variety of sectors and backgrounds including outdoor wilderness guides, geologists, field researchers, teachers, and passionate weekend adventurers. There was no shortage of ‘what if’ questions about the theoretical and practical learning. “What if this injury happens on a steep hill? What if you don’t have a cellular or satellite phone to call for help?” They were endless. I learned that participants need to focus on the principles of emergency backcountry first aid, and to not get lost in the complexities of a particular situation. Adopting a principled approach has served me well in my professional (and person) life. If we understand the overarching principles we are trying to achieve/maintain/apply, we can refer to those to solve any problem.

4. We work with a talented group of individuals across the province who are passionate about the work they do.  What do you consider your ‘super powers’?

It has been a privilege to practice leadership in a variety of areas in my life thus far, and I’ve learned from a lot of great mentors and role models. In that context, I love to facilitate and have put the time in to achieve a level of competency for which I am proud. I can’t help myself but to tune in to how others facilitate around me – I find myself thinking about facilitation often. The facilitator has significant influence over individuals and groups, and one needs to take that responsibility on with humility, respecting that the participant experience and learning are central and that the facilitators every action and inaction has influence, like it or not. How am I facilitating with intentionality? We need to ask ourselves this question when we plan, as we deliver, when we reflect after, and when we plan again for the next.

5. What brings you satisfaction in your job?

It brings me great satisfaction to provide support and leadership to my academic colleagues in their EL pursuits. EL is not new to Canadore, but a central office/department to support a myriad of initiatives is, and the response has been warm and welcoming. I’d like to think that my department has had a significant positive impact on the administration and coordination of WIL, and we are excited about a positive institutional impact on EL more broadly.