For uOttawa students Alexis Hinkson and Heather Brittain, experiential learning helped determine the next step, and gave them the confidence to take it.
Experiential learning opportunities let students integrate classroom knowledge into real-world settings to gain a deeper understanding of their fields and future career paths.
For Hinkson, a law student, and Heather Brittain, who recently completed a PhD in education, these hands-on experiences also helped them build confidence and shaped how they see their respective futures.
From classroom to courtroom: Alexis Hinkson’s experiential path in law
Hinkson, who will graduate this year with a juris doctor (JD) from the Faculty of Law’s Common Law Section, entered law school with a clear goal: to contribute to a more equitable criminal justice system. Throughout her studies, she sought out experiential learning as a way to build the concrete skills and professional confidence needed to meet that objective.
Over the course of her degree, she engaged in a wide range of hands-on opportunities, from working as a communications assistant and student ambassador with the Faculty of Law to gaining practical experience through internships and legal clinic placements.
Her time as a student caseworker at the University of Ottawa’s Community Legal Clinic marked a defining moment in her journey. There, she represented clients facing criminal charges: she conducted intake interviews, developed legal strategies, reviewed evidence and appeared in court under the supervision of practicing lawyers.
“The University of Ottawa’s Community Legal Clinic is a foundational opportunity to experience what practicing law is truly like.”
Alexis Hinkson
— Juris Doctor (JD), Faculty of Law
Working closely with clients from diverse and often vulnerable backgrounds, she developed key skills, such as adaptability, empathy and the ability to build trust. One particularly meaningful experience involved communicating with a hearing-impaired client using American Sign Language—an unexpected moment that highlighted the importance of accessibility and the lasting value of skills developed outside the classroom.
Taken together, her experiences—from community clinics to internships and research roles—gave her a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, including both defence and prosecution perspectives, and helped clarify her path forward.
Research in action: Heather Brittain’s experiential learning journey
Heather Brittain, who recently completed her PhD in education and will be celebrated at this year’s Convocation, has built her academic journey around a desire to better understand how young people’s experiences evolve over time. Experiential learning allowed her to explore this interest in real-world settings, connecting theory with practice from the very beginning.
Her work focuses on youth development, examining how academic outcomes, mental health and bullying intersect throughout adolescence. Beginning with an undergraduate field placement with a school board, her experience evolved into a long-term role as a coordinator for a large-scale longitudinal study.
Throughout her graduate studies, she was involved in all stages of the research process, from data analysis to collaboration with community partners to knowledge mobilization.
“Experiential learning showed me how research becomes meaningful when it is grounded in real contexts and built through partnership.”
Heather Brittain
— PhD in Education, Faculty of Education
One particularly striking finding from her research revealed that bullying rates decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, even during periods of in-person schooling, an insight that underscores the importance of context and long-term data in understanding student experiences.
Now working as a research associate, Heather continues to pursue research that is collaborative, interdisciplinary and grounded in real-world impact.
Experiences that shape purpose and direction
Whether they were working directly with clients or applying research, Alexis and Heather highlighted the transformative power of experiential learning. These opportunities not only strengthened their theoretical foundations, but also helped these students better understand their strengths, refine their interests and clarify decisions about their futures.
Both students emphasized the importance of seeking out hands-on opportunities early on. As Alexis noted, academic success may open doors, but experiential learning is what that truly prepares students to succeed once they step into the workforce. Heather similarly encourages students to get involved in research and applied projects, where learning extends beyond the classroom and into real-world environments.
Convocation invites all graduates to consider what their futures may hold as they enter a rapidly changing world. When Hinkson and Brittain cross the stage, they will leave with more than a degree: they will carry with them the experience, confidence and clarity needed to move forward with purpose.