Canadian Internship Program

At the end of their first year of study, students undertake a ten-week, full-time, work/volunteer placement where they observe leadership in action, develop their leadership skills, and test their interest and aptitude for a career aligned with their placement. “The internship structure provides an opportunity to centre learning on students’ interests as they select their placements and set their own learning goals. The process also encourages students to build relationships with their mentors and colleagues as well as with the course instructor. Assignments are designed to facilitate students’ integration and understanding of the workings of their organizations and to support and guide achievement of their goals. Key components of this pedagogy are the goal setting assignments and progress reports submitted during the internship.

In the last five years, 110 students successfully completed a Canadian internship. Fifty-four of them opted for a placement outside the province.

Students interned in a variety of organizations working in diverse fields such as the following:

  • Science: Research assistant, Canadian River Institute
  • Engineering: Environmental technician, Cowichan Valley Regional District
  • Health: Summer Program Coordinator, Labrador-Grenfell Health
  • Environment: Environmental educator, Ducks Unlimited Canada
  • Education: Alumni advancement intern, Southridge School
  • Sports: and Recreation Camp councilor, Inuvik Recreation Department
  • Marketing: Marketing assistant, Bos Advertising
  • Arts Videographer: Gwaii Haanas National Park
  • Human Rights: Campaign coordinator, Oxfam Canada
  • Social Work: Activity organizer, Youth in Transition
  • Law: Victim/Witness Services intern, Ontario Ministry of Attorney General
  • Community Building: Lecture series coordinator, Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia
  • Social Policy: Research assistant, NB Community Non-Profit Organizations Secretariat
  • Technology: Assistant to the Executive Director - National Research Council Institute for Information Technology