Before we even get to nitty-gritty of why — or if — they’re good for you, right off the bat, let’s talk about what internships are and are not. Internships can be paid — usually in the form of a stipend — or unpaid. In terms of unpaid internships, the Ontario Ministry of Labour says: “If an employer provides an intern with training in skills that are used by the employer’s employees, the intern will generally also be considered to be an employee for purposes of the Employment Standards Act (ESA) unless all of the conditions below are met:
- The training is similar to that which is given in a vocational school.
- The training is for the benefit of the intern. You receive some benefit from the training, such as new knowledge or skills.
- The employer derives little, if any, benefit from the activity of the intern while he or she is being trained.
- Your training doesn’t take someone else’s job.
- Your employer isn’t promising you a job at the end of your training.
- You have been told that you will not be paid for your time. The first rule of a legit internship is that it has to help you most of all.
Provided your internship actually serves you more than it serves the organization (hope you gathered that from the paragraph above), internships are the best way to get acquainted with the career of your choice as well as a chance to develop superb work contacts.
What is it?
An internship is probably the surest way to find out what it’s like to work in the field of study you have chosen. For example, a journalism student will often spend a part of his or her studies working for a news outlet such as a local TV station (this is usually arranged via your school), a future financial advisor (or a project manager or a lawyer) can search for the right opportunity at a place like BMO Financial Group or you can train to be an assistant to a Member of the Provincial Parliament via an internship.
An internship is probably the surest way to find out what it’s like to work in the field of study you have chosen. For example, a journalism student will often spend a part of his or her studies working for a news outlet such as a local TV station (this is usually arranged via your school), a future financial advisor (or a project manager or a lawyer) can search for the right opportunity at a place like BMO Financial Group or you can train to be an assistant to a Member of the Provincial Parliament via an internship.
How does it work?
First, check with local professional organizations to see if there are any internship opportunities in your field and in your area. (To give you an example: budding architects could do a search for “internship” on the Ontario Association of Architects site.) You should also check the provincial government’s Ontario Internship Program (OIP) site as well as the school you’ve graduated from for similar postings.
First, check with local professional organizations to see if there are any internship opportunities in your field and in your area. (To give you an example: budding architects could do a search for “internship” on the Ontario Association of Architects site.) You should also check the provincial government’s Ontario Internship Program (OIP) site as well as the school you’ve graduated from for similar postings.
Once you find an internship of interest you will have to go through the application process to see if you qualify. The requirements vary, depending on the needs of the organization, the type of the internship and its length. The OIP, for instance, offers two one-year paid contracts to people who have graduated within the last two years with a degree or a diploma (certificates do not meet the eligibility requirements). With the OIP there is no age limit but some other programs may have age restrictions, such as theInternational Youth Internship Program (IYIP), which caters to 19- to 30-year-olds.
Also, know that not all internships are paid. This is why many interns have to find a way to support themselves while working ... for free. Unfortunately, this obstacle prevents some people from interning. The
Types of internships
The Government of Canada puts internships into five categories:
The Government of Canada puts internships into five categories:
- Government
- International
- Internships for Aboriginal persons
- Internships for people with disabilities
- Private sector
The Post-Secondary Co-op and Internship Program is for full-time students who are currently enrolled and registered in an approved post-secondary co-op/internship program prior to applying to the program. The positions are within the public service.
International internships
The aforementioned IYIP is for postgraduate 19- to 30-year-olds who are out of school and want to work in developing countries and contribute to Canada’s international goals. Once you finish your internship, the organization you worked with will try to find you employment. You don’t get paid but the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) allocates up to $12,000 to the sponsoring organization to cover your costs. This includes travel, administrative costs, living allowance and other expenses.
The aforementioned IYIP is for postgraduate 19- to 30-year-olds who are out of school and want to work in developing countries and contribute to Canada’s international goals. Once you finish your internship, the organization you worked with will try to find you employment. You don’t get paid but the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) allocates up to $12,000 to the sponsoring organization to cover your costs. This includes travel, administrative costs, living allowance and other expenses.
CANADEM runs the International Career Advancement Placement (ICAP) Program which places people (young and old) in United Nations (UN) field missions around the world. Because you need experience to work as an UN officer ICAP arranges an international experience program for you for six months. Please note: self-funded applicants must deposit “$15,000 to cover travel, insurance, housing and other living costs, but this can vary depending on the location of the placement. These funds are deposited with CANADEM before the placement and given back to the participant as tickets and insurance are purchased and as a monthly stipend.”
Carefour de solidarité internationale offers the Séjour solidaire en Haïti program to French-speaking people who are 35+ (although they will accept younger people.) They are sent to Haiti to help with developing projects.
Internships for Aboriginal persons
The Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources’ (BEAHR) Internship Program has been set up to help Aboriginal grads gain experience before finding work in the environmental and conservation sector.
The Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources’ (BEAHR) Internship Program has been set up to help Aboriginal grads gain experience before finding work in the environmental and conservation sector.
The Housing Internship Initiative for First Nations & Inuit Youth (HIIFNIY) is a “youth employment initiative [that] provides work experience and on-the-job training for First Nations and Inuit youth to assist them in pursuing long-term employment in the housing industry.” To be eligible you have to be “between the ages of 15-30, be residents of a First Nations Reserve or Inuit community; and be out of school and currently unemployed. Priority will be given to youth who meet the above criteria and face additional challenges such as being a single parent, having [a] low literacy level, or having a disability.”
Internships for people with disabilities
Ability Edge offers graduates with disabilities six- to 12-month internships in fields such as marketing, human resources, finances and computer science. In this program you are mentored by a coach, develop employability skills, make contacts and receive a monthly stipend of $2,016.67 less standard tax deductions.
Ability Edge offers graduates with disabilities six- to 12-month internships in fields such as marketing, human resources, finances and computer science. In this program you are mentored by a coach, develop employability skills, make contacts and receive a monthly stipend of $2,016.67 less standard tax deductions.
Other internships
Career Edge is for recent graduates with little or no work experience; it offers a six- to 12-month paid internship with reputable employers across Canada (this includes on-the-job mentoring, networking opportunities, real-world experience) with a monthly stipend: $2,016.67 less standard tax deductions.
Career Edge is for recent graduates with little or no work experience; it offers a six- to 12-month paid internship with reputable employers across Canada (this includes on-the-job mentoring, networking opportunities, real-world experience) with a monthly stipend: $2,016.67 less standard tax deductions.
The Canadian Media Production Association currently offers two one-year-long internship programs: the Screen-Based Media Production Program, with a minimum stipend of $16,250 for youth 15 to 30 years old (the program is closed for 2013 but contact for info on future dates), and the Telefilm Canada Marketing Mentorship Program with minimum stipend of $13,200 (please contact for more details on deadlines).
Article written by: Jowita Bydlowska and published on www.poss.ca
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