BEAT THE ODDS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Apply for the Beat the Odds program!
Deadline to apply: January 27, 2026.
Want to learn more about the program?
Attend the info session for students on January 19 at 11:30 a.m.
An inclusive and flexible internship program that levels the playing field for students in need
What is the Beat the Odds program?
The Beat the Odds internship program is a career-development for students in equity-deserving groups. It aims to help you:
- Become familiar with career options in your academic field
- Gain confidence in navigating the workplace
- Apply what you've learned in class to a real-world setting
- Develop new career-related skills
How does it work?
Beat the Odds is a two-part program that is completed over a minimum of two semesters.
1. The Beat the Odds Academy
A paid professional development and skills-training program designed to enhance career readiness and prepare students for the workplace.
2. The internship
A paid, flexible internship aligned with the student’s academic interests and career goals.
Completion of the Academy is required to be eligible for an internship placement. While the program provides dedicated support, internship placements are not guaranteed.
Am I eligible?
The program is aimed at students who are:
- Currently registered in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at Concordia University (independent students and students on leave are not eligible).
- From traditionally underrepresented groups who are more likely to encounter systemic barriers of unemployment, underemployment and low academic standing.
To participate, you must be a student from at least 1 (or more) of these groups:
- International students, newcomers and refugees
- Students with disabilities
- Black students
- Indigenous students
- People of colour and students from racialized groups
- Members of the LGBTQ2S+
- Parents and caregivers
Additionally, you must meet at least 1 of these criteria:
- At risk of leaving program / dropping out
- In financial need
- In low academic standing
- Would benefit from increased self-confidence
The Experiential Learning (EL) Office designed this program to ensure inclusiveness and to ensure that underserved students have access to EL opportunities. Studies on the participation of students in university settings suggest that historically underserved students do not participate at rates equal to the majority population. These same studies indicate that students who begin university at lower achievement levels make the greatest gains in GPA and retention rates from experiential learning participation.
A student internship consists of training or practical learning, responding to an educational intention, which is supervised, and which allows the observation, acquisition, or implementation of skills in a work context.
Interns are supervised by a professional who guides them through the observation, acquisition, or implementation of skills in a work setting.
In addition, an internship also includes specific learning objectives which are assessed by the person(s) designated by the university, in collaboration with the person providing supervision of the student during the internship.
BTO is an internship program for students in equity-seeking groups who would greatly benefit from a paid experience related to their program of study.
These students are historically underserved, and they may be first generation university students. This means that they may not have the same support systems at home or in their peer groups that other students may have. This carries forward into their career search and the opportunities made available to them.
Supporting the student internship experience from the initial application to the BTO program through completion of the internship requires more than offering a wide menu of student programs and services.
The BTO coordinators are committed to working with each student individually to ensure they are aware of the relevant services at Concordia that will make the internship experience a great one. BTO coordinators will work with internship hosts on students’ behalf to secure workplace accommodations and adapt support strategies as required.
An internship is first and foremost a formative experience, which means that you are learning on the job. As an intern, you may need additional training to perform some tasks, and you will likely require more information, guidance and feedback than a regular employee would need.
For example: you may need to do some online training on Excel to be able to manage a database of information.
Internships can start at 50 hours and go up to 500 hours, but the length will depend on three factors:
- Your needs.
- The needs of the partner employer and the time they can commit to supervising a student.
- The type of internship (observational, skills acquisition, and/or skills application).
Additional questions? Contact beattheodds@concordia.ca
