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Join a Community of Changemakers |
Expand Your Future Career Prospects |
Get Paid to Make Social Change |
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Engage with community members who creating social change, and meet like-minded student changemakers |
Forge connections, drive positive change, and broaden your career possibilities. |
Develop the skills to solve important problems |
10 students will receive a $500 cash award upon completing the program thanks to connectFirst Credit Union
Ready to make a real impact? Jump into the action with connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs. We're all about practical solutions – not just talk about change. Use economic tools to tackle tough social issues head-on. Turn your ideas into real-world solutions with guidance from experienced social entrepreneurs and changemakers. Get hands-on with complex challenges, gain valuable skills, and boost your resume in the world of social innovation. It's not just a program – it's your chance to get a head start on your dream career.
Experience connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs
Embark on an enlightening journey through the connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs program:
- Begin with an introduction to social enterprise and changemaking, laying the foundation for launching your initiatives.
- Benefit from coaching by globally acclaimed social entrepreneur Shaun Loney, on a social impact idea.
- Develop the essential skills to analyze social issues through an economic lens, brainstorm innovative solutions, and receive actionable insights to advance your journey as a catalyst for change.
Session Dates
Winter 2024 programming runs from January 16th to March 26th. Applications for winter 2024 are now closed. Please check back next year.
Sessions will be on Tuesdays in person
Please click here for full session details.
Program Requirements
Successful applicants must attend all 7 sessions, be prepared to work hard, lean into discomfort, and contribute fully to receive the final stipend.“These workshop series are one of the highlights of my undergraduate journey. Thank you for investing time and effort for students to find their passion in making a change. I am extremely inspired."
2022 Participant
“Taking Economics of Social Change as a student was a great experience, not just because of the opportunity to meet community members off-campus interested in the economics of social change, but also as a way of being introduced to the idea of economics. I was captivated by the way the instructors covered history, theory, and practice through a social lens."
“The program was a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and to learn about social enterprise. The program definitely opened the doors for me on how to approach perceived issues in our society and how I can work alongside others in solving them.”
2022 Participant
How do I Apply?
Applications for connectFirst Social Entrepreneurs are now closed for 2024. Please check back next year.
Program Manager
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Sydney is an Entrepreneur Development Officer at The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Mount Royal University. She is also a Mount Royal alumna from the Business Administration program with a minor in Social Innovation, as well as Innovation and Entrepreneurship. With a background in launching her own sustainable arts company and working at a local user experience startup, IncluCity Calgary, she has developed a deep understanding of entrepreneurship and program development. Sydney's career journey has been marked by her dedication to community building and using business models to create social impact. She is particularly inspired to support Mount Royal’s community of changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs, especially those in creative disciplines. Sydney is available for anyone looking to explore their emerging ideas, innovations, or new ventures. |
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