Connecting students with social change organizations for meaningful, relationship-driven experiential learning.
Community-based internships connect students with organizations leading social change across Tiohtià:ke/Montréal. More than placements, these experiences offer students a chance to build relationships, contribute meaningfully and grow through shared learning.
For host organizations, students bring fresh energy, valuable skills and future workforce potential.
This program is a collaboration between the Office of Community Engagement and SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation. It was created under one shared vision: that learning happens best when it’s grounded in community, care and collaboration.
This program is made possible thanks to the deep, ongoing relationships that our team has nurtured with our community partners across Tiohtià:ke/Montréal. Our partners include Indigenous and Black community organizations, as well as other organizations committed to social transformation. These partnerships are at the heart of Concordia’s community-based internships.
Students gain hands-on experience in real-world settings, developing practical skills, empathy and insight that can’t be taught in a classroom. Host organizations not only gain capacity to work toward their mission but also gain supervisory skills by nurturing the future workforce.
We prioritize the knowledge and leadership of community organizations. Our program team is here to listen, support and grow together, while supporting community priorities.
Concordia is committed to supporting students to lead with care, courage and a deep understanding of community-rooted change.
Hear from past students and host organizations
A wonderful experience that I would recommend to any of my Indigenous peers who want to get involved with Indigenous organizations in Montreal and expand their knowledge of Indigenous-informed methodologies.
This internship opportunity provided our organization with new ideas and fresh perspectives on our communication activities. We would repeat the experience, as it provides an alternative to accomplish our goals as a non-profit organization.
The program is open to Concordia students from all faculties who are passionate about community engagement and social justice.
To apply, students must:
We especially encourage students from marginalized communities to apply. For the internships with Indigenous and Black community organizations, priority will be given to students who identify with those communities.
If any part of the application process feels like a barrier, please reach out to communityengagement@concordia.ca — we’re happy to support you.
Selected candidates will be contacted and interviewed by the host organizations.
The internships are hosted by partners of the SHIFT Centre and the Black and Indigenous community partners of the Office of Community Engagement. They are all located in and around Tiohtià:ke/Montreal.
Internships span two terms — 12 weeks in the fall and 12 in the winter — with the option to extend into the summer. Students are awarded funding based on how many hours they commit to weekly. Payment is issued in two instalments per term.
| Weekly hours | Hours per term | Total hours (24 weeks) | Student award (total) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 hours/week | 120 | 240 | $5,000 |
| 15 hours/week | 180 | 360 | $7,500 |
| 20 hours/week | 240 | 480 | $10,000 |
You may be eligible to receive course credit for your internship. Please speak with your department directly to arrange this.
Students are supported throughout the experience with:
Would you like to be notified about future internship opportunities?
Associate Coordinator, Internships and Special Projects
Shin Ling Low is a grateful settler from Malaysia who has been living, working and loving in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal for close to a decade. They are committed to building meaningful, grounded and accessible experiential learning opportunities for Concordia students.
Coordinator, Indigenous Community Engagement
Geneviève Sioui is a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation and has lived in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal for 20 years. In her role at the Office of Community Engagement, she fosters collaboration with Indigenous community organizations and related initiatives. She creates opportunities for students to make positive contributions to the broader urban Indigenous community.
Coordinator, Black Community Engagement
Kristen Young is a settler from Xaymaca (Jamaica). She has lived and worked in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal for almost a decade. As a third-culture kid with a deep interest in applying the principle of sankofa to the every day, Kristen uses her training as an archivist and her interest in collaboration, mental health, community care, and community education in the many hats she wears both professionally and personally.
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