Indigenous Student Employment Readiness Program (ISERP)

Thinking about your future career but not sure if you’re ready for what comes next? 

USask Career Services is offering the ScotiaRISE Indigenous Student Employment Readiness Program (ISERP). ISERP is an Indigenous-grounded program that uses Indigenous ways of knowing and learning to help you feel more confident and prepared for the world of work. 

ISERP includes in-person workshops where you will learn common career skills like resume and cover letter creation, networking, and financial literacy, all while staying true to who you are. The program centers Indigenous perspectives and lived experiences, helping you build confidence, understand your workplace rights, and learn how to advocate for yourself. ISERP is about growing your skills, strengthening your confidence, and stepping into your future with pride and support from a strong community. 

When is it being offered?  

ISERP is offered weekly from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm.  

Fall Sessions run Oct – Nov (applications open August 20th)  
Winter Sessions run Jan – March (Applications open December 20th)  
Spring Sessions run May - June. (Applications open March 20th) 

What will I learn?  
 
In ISERP, we will focus on:   

• Reflective activities to help you recognize your strengths and the strengths of others 
• A supportive community where you can connect, learn, and grow together 
• Career-readiness skills to help you feel confident about your next steps 
• Learning how to turn your personal and cultural strengths into skills employers' value 
• Practical job-search skills, including networking and knowing where to look 
• Creating strong resumes and cover letters that stand out 
• Practicing interview skills in mock interviews with real employers so you feel prepared and confident – all mock interviews are matched based on student interest, skill level, and career needs 
• Learning the basics of financial literacy for life and work 
• Land-based learning and cultural activities that support balance and connection 

What are the perks? 

ISERP will include many benefits & advantages to students who participate in the programs (such as, but not limited to):

• Receive a $500 honorarium when you complete the program 
• Enjoy refreshments at every session 
• Build confidence in your career path and next steps 
• Connect and network with Indigenous organizations and USask alumni in Saskatchewan and beyond 
• Create meaningful relationships with peers, mentors, and community members 
• Learn how to understand and navigate campus services with confidence 
•  

The program is open to all undergraduate Indigenous students.

The University is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support academic opportunities for Indigenous students. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous students provide to strengthen these relationships. Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this program.

Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin |tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of acceptance for this program.

Please visit: https://indigenous.usask.ca/indigenous-initiatives/deybwewin-taapwaywin-tapwewin.php to proceed through the verification system. If you have any questions or require additional information about deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin please contact: indigenoustruthpolicy@usask.ca.

Participant Testimonials

First Year Student, Sociology (2025) 

“ISERP felt like a community. As someone who has grown up on the reserve, I feel safe knowing there are spaces in University just for us. This program has allowed me to feel confident in all steps of the employment process. Land-based learning opportunities was possibly best part of the program. As Indigenous people living off reserve, it’s not often we’re afforded opportunities to connect with elders and be able to make medicine ouches like we were able to in ISERP.”  

Second Year Student, Business (2025) 

“The most impactful aspect of the program was the opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives and experiences, which broadened my understanding of indigenous culture and professional environments. What stood out to me most was how cultural learning was seamlessly integrated into practical skill-building activities, helping me develop greater adaptability, communication, and empathy. This cultural exposure enhanced my ability to collaborate across differences, an essential component of career readiness. Overall, the program provided a strong foundation in interview prep, resume and cover letter skills, and networking equipping me with the confidence and tools to thrive in a professional setting.” 

Third Year Student, Education (2024)  

“ISERP has given me a new appreciation for ME, and I’ve felt nothing but validated about my Indigenous student perspective that acknowledges the huge gap most colleges have in providing us cultural training. The sharing circle was a vulnerable place and I am thankful I got to express some of my real feelings with people, I also felt a lot more connected to everybody in ISERP and overall the university I guess!". 

Second Year Student, Education (2024)  

"Prior to the program I was uncertain about how I might fair in the world of job searching. However, Tristyn made me feel that I had more than enough skills already and helped me develop my ability to be professional and confidence to where I think I’m capable of getting any job I want. I really appreciated doing this process with other Indigenous people as itmade the environment far more comfortable and relaxed.” 

Second Year Student, Resource Science (2024)  

"Getting together in a group to hear other peoples perspectives and learning from one another and reflecting on what we can improve individually and getting know that everyone grows at different paces so that pressure is relieved and understand that alot of people go through the same thing so anxiety is relieved as well and hearing stories of growth and learning from other’s experiences, the cultural aspect made me feel very connected to the content and made me feel heard, important, and valued. The cultural aspect helped me realize that there’s a lot to learn from my culture and I don’t have to abandon that to integrate myself in the workforce before i took this course I felt I had to leave behind my indigenous identity but now I know that’s unnecessary. This program helped me realize that there’s a lot of help and support out there and that I can utilize it and helped me take every day as a learning experience and appreciate and nurture new connections because I used to not care or find that it wasn’t useful for me to try reach out or keep connections it also taught me the importance of networking and communicating.."   

Applications to ISERP open on the following dates: 

• August 20 - Fall Sessions (Oct - Nov) 
• December 20 - Winter Session (Jan- Mar) 
• March 20 - Spring Session (May - June) 

• Apply to ISERP

For questions, please send reach out to: