Sink or swim: A qualitative analysis of CBSA's student border services officer (SBSO) program

Each summer, hundreds of Canadian post-secondary students are recruited by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) under the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) to become Student Border Services Officers (SBSOs). In a paid, non-union role, students act in similar capacities to full-time Border Services Officer (BSO) labour. This thesis provides an in-depth analysis of the never before examined SBSO program in an academic context. Through qualitative interviews conducted with former SBSOs, a wide range of issues were uncovered, from low wages to poor culture, in addition to the challenges and tribulations associated with the examination of insular organizations, such as CBSA.