Stephanie Ikekhuamen: Internship Experience

Having never worked in government, I saw the internship program as an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure to governance and public sector processes beyond the classroom. I was thrilled to be accepted into the JSGS Internship Program and am currently completing my internship with the Ministry of Social Services - Child and Family Programs, specifically within Indigenous Services and Service Delivery.

This experience has been instrumental in deepening my understanding of Saskatchewan’s Child and Family Program, including foster families, PSI caregivers, the adoption program, Indigenous service delivery, and the broader child welfare framework.

My daily work involves engaging with the legislation, policies, and standards that guide Child and Family Programs, providing many learning opportunities, and expanding my understanding of child welfare operations.

Throughout my internship, I have contributed to the development of performance assessment tools and supported training-related audit projects to strengthen consistency and quality across child welfare service areas.

I have also completed jurisdictional scans, contributed to legislation‑related initiatives, and supported resource development. These projects have strengthened my skills in research, policy, and collaborative public-sector work.

I have additionally gained valuable experience in understanding the importance of culturally informed and community‑centered approaches within Indigenous service areas.

Overall, this internship has been essential in connecting my academic learning to practical, real‑world policy and government work.