Internship

What is an internship exactly?

An MPPPA internship is a 21-credit course divided into 3 classes POLI 686 (3cr.) Internship Preparation; 688 (9 cr.) Internship; and 689 (9cr.) Internship Paper. The Internship is an experiential learning exercise enabling the intern to learn first-hand about their chosen profession, upon which they can build their career.

DEFINITION from the Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Leaning Canada Association (CEWIL):

An internship = 16 consecutive weeks, relevant, paid, full-time, supervised work conducted in the employer’s workplace (hybrid models included)

How to apply for the Internship option?

All graduate students accepted into the MPPPA program are admitted to Option A Courses-only.  They remain in Option A until they apply to Option B Internship, midway through their degree program. Students not interested in completing an internship can continue in Option A.

Eligibility requirements:

• 3.43 minimum cumulative GPA;
• A minimum of 5 courses completed towards the MPPPA program at the time of application (all 8 courses in the program must be completed before the internship term);
• Successful completion of the French language profficiency test; 
• Students must be registered full-time in the term preceding their internship.

The Department sends a Call for Interns email every term to all students registered in the program.  It is the responsibility of the students to ensure the required courses are completed prior to their internship term.

Information Sessions on the Internship option are hosted every Fall and Winter terms. All program students receive invitations to attend and find out more about the internship.

Where are the jobs?

Most internships are located in Ottawa. Some of the sectors that pursue interns at the Master’s level in Public Policy and Public Administration are: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Government; Non-governmental organizations (NGO); Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGO, like the UN); Crown Corporations; Private corporations; Consulates; Embassies; and Non-profit organizations.

Who hires?

Some of our employers who have hired our interns in the last few years:

• Transport Canada 
• Global Affairs Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
•  Health Canada
• International Bureau for Children’s Rights 
• Infrastructure Canada
• Privy Council Office
• Elections Canada
• Employment & Social Development Canada
• Shared Services Canada
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada
• Montreal Institute for Genocide & Human Rights Studies CAE Inc.
• and more…

Can I contact employers directly?

The internship coordinator does all the communicating on behalf of the program and its interns. Student interns are to work through the coordinator for access to any Federal (including Crown Corps), Provincial or Municipal government.

Can I look for a job on my own?

Students are not permitted to look for work on their own because any competition activity that would be generated independently would conflict with the program.

Must I be Canadian to qualify?

There are no provisions at this time to accommodate international students with the government as positions posted through our program are delineated by the Employer as reserved for Canadian Citizens or (in some cases) Permanent Residents. International students can be considered in the NGO, non-profit, and private sectors.

What if I want to work abroad?

Students must apply to positions posted through the program. Some may be from abroad. Worth noting is that the job application process occurs the semester before the internship begins. This leaves little time for an employer or a student to organize an internship overseas. The intern can discuss this option early on with the Coordinator if they want to pursue options of this kind.

What is the work like?

Most students secure positions that enable them to further develop their skills in research and analysis. Some typical titles/positions define the work as Junior Policy Analyst or Audit and Evaluation Intern.

** All internship positions are reviewed by the program before posting to ensure that they are relevant and at the appropriate academic level to promote learning and development. Performance evaluations are conducted.

Am I guaranteed a job?

Although we can boast that we have placed 100% of our students since 2005 – we do not guarantee a placement. The market fluctuates depending on the economy. The availability of internships and the competition for each, play a key role in defining placement success every semester.

Am I competing against other students?

Not only will you be competing for positions against the students in your program but employers entertain the candidacy of students from similar programs at universities across Canada.

What is expected of me academically while I am completing my internship?

All academic requirements are provided to the intern by the MPPPA Director at the time they enter Option B. A meeting is scheduled by the Director midway through the internship for all students to begin the discussion on what they will choose as their paper topic, and academic supervisors are assigned. Essentially, the student intern can expect to prepare a proposal midway through the first four months of work. Thereafter, a paper will be requested by the end of the second four months (during the renewal period if awarded one). Once the paper has been approved by the supervisor and second reader, revisions are requested, and/or an approval is granted. The academic requirements of your internship will be met upon the successful completion of each stage.

How do you measure a successful internship?

• Graduation – successful completion of internship paper

• Contract renewal offered

• Bridging-in offered (full-time permanent position)

• Excellent Performance Evaluation

• Your work has impact on the projects undertaken by your team & department

• Networking / contacts made

• Your CAREER has been launched!!

For more information

Please make an appointment to meet with our Internship Coordinator, Eve Pankovitch:

Tel. 514-848-2424 ext. 2114

or write to: polisci.internship@concordia.ca

to learn more about what you can get out of this fantastic program!!