The things we learn the best are the things we learn by doing. Research shows experiential learning has the highest rate of knowledge retention, at 90%, as it provides an opportunity to see, feel and experience as you’re learning.

Since 1975, the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme has been a distinctive example of how experiential learning prepares graduates to be job-ready. Each year, from September to June, 10 motivated university graduates complete paid internships on all aspects of the Legislature with MPPs from both sides. In the last 48 years, 307 MPPs have hosted 416 non-partisan interns.

OLIP opens the door for its alumni to have distinguished careers in many fields, with former interns becoming architects, academics, lawyers, public servants, public relations, as well as members or even becoming elected officials. For an example, Tim Murphy became an MPP in 1993, became chief of staff to Prime Minister Paul Martin. Here at home, Patrick Sackville, the current chief of staff to Premier Ford, was in OLIP as well.

So I want to say thank you to my OLIP interns, Gurkamal, Habon, Esma and Bridget, for being part of my office, learning by contributing and bringing a new perspective.