Summer internship gives students an opportunity to earn their working experiences during their Summer break, as well as building their network with people in the field. Students usually receive emails from their faculty advisors on a weekly basis and all open positions can be found on the announcement section. Students can also visit the career department to look for any internship on campus. Most post-institutions in British Columbia have offered summer internship to their students and here are the highlights of some internship programs.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU)
The career connection at KPU has its own database system of more than 1,800 employers and community organizers, connecting them with over 11,000 students and alumni. There are various types of internship for students, such as full-time/part-time job, Co-operative education, volunteer opportunities, on-campus student opportunities, info sessions and workshops. Since the database is updated on a daily basis, students may need to check if there is any updates on the website.
Additional assistance
KPU also offers mock interview and career advising for students, which allows students to practise interviews and discuss their career options with advisors.
University of Victoria
The internship program at University of Victoria is called The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship (QES) Program, providing internship for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Besides working in different provinces of Canada, students can also choose to work in other countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Students will be able to work with regional, national and grassroots partner organizations on issues, such as community development, refugee education, and migrant/refugee rights.
Benefits
- Develop global citizens through enriched academic, professional, and cross-cultural experiences.
- Activate a new generation of enterprising leaders in Canada and around the Commonwealth through facilitating lasting local and global community engagement.
- Enhance collaborative capacity and deepen peer relationships among interns, scholars and partner organizations to facilitate personal and professional growth.
University of British Columbia (UBC)
Here are a list of organizations that offer internship opportunity for students at UBC.
- EQWIP HUBs
- CBIE Study Abroad Guide
- Jobs in International Development
- AIESEC
- The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
- Projects Abroad
- Young Canada Works
- United Nations
- United Nations Association of Canada
- World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
- Uniterra
- Jet program
- GoAbroad
- Charity Village
- Centre for Intercultural Learning Canada
- MyWorldAbroad
Simon Fraser University (SFU)
Here are a list of organizations that offer internship opportunity for undergraduate students at SFU.
- Jaimie Anderson Parliamentary Internship (Ottawa)
- The Canadian Press Summer Internship (Toronto/Montreal)
- The NATO Association of Canada (Toronto)
- AIESEC (Locations Vary)
- The Atlantic Council (Washington, DC)
- Embassy of Canada Internship Program (Washington, D.C.)
- Saskatchewan Legislative Internship Program (Regina)
Here are a list of organizations that offer internship opportunity for graduate students at SFU.
- The Canada West Foundation Jim Hume Program (Calgary)
- International Youth Internship Program (Ottawa)
- BC Legislative Internship Program (Victoria)
- Parliamentary Internship Program (Ottawa)
- Ontario Legislative Internship Program (Toronto)
- Municipal Internship Program (Locations Vary, Alberta)
- Alberta Public Service Policy Internship Program (Edmonton)
- Manitoba Legislative Internship Program (Winnipeg)
Langara College
Students usually have their 14-week internship in their final semester and they can choose their own internship placement with an agency, either from a list of placements available, or they negotiate their own.
Internship does not only allow students to experience the actual working environment of their field, but also prepare them to encounter challenges they may have in the future.
Sources: UVIC Internships KPU Career Connection SFU Career Development Langara Internships UBC Internships
