Tasks

1. Complete steps 1 and 2 in your Planning for Your Internship Worksheet
2. Begin your internship search:
   1. Consult the CaPS Guide to Student On-Campus and Summer Jobs
   2. Consult the ISA Internship Leads Database:
      • Filter Keywords to find organizations you might want to apply to
      • Explore organizations that are already offering internships developed in collaboration with the ISA office
   3. Consult myFuture, McGill University's portal for promoting job opportunities locally, nationally and internationally
   4. Consult McGill Workday which lists paid on-campus student jobs
3. Update your CV and know strategies to customize it
4. Know how to write a targeted cover letter for a specific application
5. Create a professional profile on any relevant platform(s) (i.e. LinkedIn)
6. Let family/friends/colleagues/faculty know about your internship search and ask for ideas/referrals

Tools

Planning Your Internship Worksheet

ISA Internship Leads Database

Job/Internship Search Contacts 

CaPS Guide to Student On-Campus and Summer Jobs

Tips

• A successful internship search often takes several months, so allow yourself extra time.

Be proactive.

• Internships rarely come to you; you will need to seek them out. In general, the more proactive and direct your approach, the better.

Book and appointment with the Internships Administrator to discuss curated internship opportunities and your interests to focus your search.

Book an appointment with the Education Career Advisor to review your CV, cover letter, social media presence

Tasks

1. Use the Planning Your Internship Worksheet to organize your search and have quick access to tools, databases, job search trackers, etc.
2. Begin your internship search:
   1. Consult the CaPS Guide to Student On-Campus and Summer Jobs
   2. Consult the Internship Leads Database:
      • Filter Keywords to find organizations you might want to apply to
      • Explore organizations that are already offering internships developed in collaboration with the ISA office
   3. Consult myFuture, McGill University's portal for promoting job opportunities and career education
   4. Consult McGill Workday which lists paid on-campus student jobs
3. Draft an intro email using the Internship Intro Email Template and attach this flyer:  employer-ba_internship_flyer-sept2023.pdf
4. Use the Job Search Tracker to keep track of all stages of your search and the prospects you reach out to
5. Use the Internship Design Form for each placement prospect you speak with to ensure the internship meets the criteria mentioned in the above section. This form is for student use only and will not be evaluated.

Tools

Planning Your Internship Worksheet

ISA Internship Leads Database

Job/Internship Search Contact

CaPS Guide to Student On-Campus and Summer Jobs

Flyer for Employers (attach to intro email): employer-ba_internship_flyer-sept2023.pdf

Job Search Tracker

Internship Design Form

Internship criteria

Tips

Get organized.

• An internship search involves a lot of information and details; make sure you use the Job Search Tracker to keep track of everything (e.g. companies of interest, application deadlines, etc).

Identify a starting point.

• Even if you are open to many types of opportunities, you will need to start somewhere! The CaPS World of Work handout provides an overview of aspects to consider, such as:
  • Departments/Units
  • Companies/Organizations
  • Fields/Industries
  • Geographical Location(s)

Look for publicly advertised internship opportunities...but don’t stop there!

• Seek out jobs postings sites/platforms which are focused on your fields of interest or the geographical areas you’re targeting so that you minimize the time you spend scrolling; myFuture and LinkedIn are good places to start. Check the CaPS website for additional programs/ideas
• Make use of helpful features such as job alerts to increase the efficiency of your search
• Take note of the qualifications and skills required, especially those which come up consistently
• Note down interesting employers/organizations to research further

Identify companies and organizations doing interesting work.

• Compile a short list of fields/industries you are interested in
• Use Industry Guides and Directories, LinkedIn etc. to identify potential employers
• Research any organizations of interest in depth
• Get in contact to ask questions, inquire about internship opportunities, and to apply directly for current openings or for future consideration

Interviewing for internships.

• For an internship, you would prepare yourself for the interview just as you would prepare for a job interview.  You should expect to be answered traditional types of questions, behavior-based questions and be prepared for all different types of interviews.  These could include but are not limited to telephone screenings, one-on-one, peer group, panel, luncheon, video and second interviews.
• Some internships may not require a formal interview, but come in as prepared and that means your own questions about working with a particular employer. Don't settle working for an employer that presents some red flags if you don't have to!

Book and appointment with the Internships Administrator to discuss curated internship opportunities and your interests to focus your search.

Book an appointment with the Education Career Advisor to review your CV, cover letter, social media presence

Tasks

1. Register for the EDGC 398 - Internship course during the Winter course registration period.
2. Once you have found your internship placement, complete and submit the Internship Proposal Form for approval from the ISA Office. Allow 3 -5 working days for a response.
3. International Students should apply for their Co-op/Work Permit at least 4-6 months before your proposed internship start date. B.A(Education) students receive information about Co-op/Work Permits upon admission and receive a attestation letter from ISA Office.
4. Seek out financial aid options with the Scholarship and Student Aid Office if you are faced with financial challenges during your degree and your internship.

Tools

Internship Proposal Form (EDGC 398 MINIMUM REQUIREMENT)

Application information for Co-op/Work Permits for International Students wanting to work in Canada

Tips

Setting your Learning Competencies can help you make the most of your internship

• At the end of your internship, you will probably feel satisfied and happy with your internship partly because of the learning competencies you set and worked on

Accepting and declining internship offers:

• When an offer of an internship is extended, it is most often communicated through a telephone conversation.  If an offer is extended in the form of a letter, a follow-up phone call will more than likely follow the letter.  An acceptance email by the student who has been granted an internship is optional.  If you have been offered an internship by more than one organization, it will be necessary to choose and accept one position.  At the same time, it will also be necessary to inform the organizations whose internships you do not accept that you will not be interning with them.  This may be accomplished by telephone, however, a follow-up email would be an added piece of professionalism.

Tasks

1. Once your Internship Proposal Form is approved, work with your internship Site Supervisor to complete and sign the Internship Agreement & Learning Plan. Submit the signed document to the B.A.(Education) Internships Administrator latest two weeks after your internship start date.
2. In April, take the mandatory Making the Most of Your Internship course on myCourses and attend (remote or in-person) the Intern Positionality training. (Both trainings are currently in development, dates/time TBD)

Tools

Internship Agreement & Learning Plan (EDGC 398 MINIMUM REQUIREMENT)

Making the Most of Your Internship on myCourses (REQUIRED TRAINING, IN DEVELOPMENT)

Intern Positionality (REQUIRED TRAINING, IN DEVELOPMENT)

Tips

Gain an understanding of the expectations you have for your internship experience

Identify opportunities for personal and professional development during your internship

Articulate your top priorities for a meaningful internship experience

Tasks

1. Start your internship and participate in any onboarding/orientation with your Site Supervisor.
2. Schedule and attend your periodic check-ins with your Site Supervisor.
3. If applicable, complete any documents required of your Site Supervisor/Internship Host.
4. Check myCourses to access the EDGC 398 Weekly Reflection Journals which help you make meaning out of your internship experience.
5. Read the monthly In Context Newsletter to access the Reflection Journals, tips, and resources to help you during your internship
6. If permitted by your Site Supervisor, take pictures of your internship experience to share with. Ensure you use receive consent from you Site Supervisor and get signed consent forms from anyone visible in the photos and/or videos.

Tools

Internship Reflection Journals

McGill Photo and Recording Consent Form (your internship host might request use of their own consent form)

Tips

Some tips for internship success: 

• Be Prompt—Oversleeping is a poor excuse for being late on the first day or any day.  Time a test ride to work and plan for enough time.  Take into account any traffic that might add on time to a commute to work. 
• Have a Positive Attitude—Your attitude is “one of your greatest assets.”  After your appearance, it is the next factor notice.  A positive attitude will benefit you as well as your co-workers.
• Know the Agency Rules—Find out about, follow, and respect the regulations of the organization.
• Attendance—Arrange in advance when you need to take a day off.
• Dependability—Whether you work alone or as part of a team, other responsibilities will come your way if you are dependable.
• Respecting the Time of Others—Consider your Site Supervisor’s and staff members’ time when seeking help on assignments.
• Evaluate the experience—Take time to evaluate what you have learned and reflect on the experience on your own or using the Reflection Journals provided by the ISA Office.

Some notes about reflection and why this is an effective way to get the most out of your internship:

• Reflection is the means by which students come to understand the meaning and impact of their efforts. They link what they have learned about themselves and the academic disciplines to what they have done in the community with others.
• Reflection is the intentional consideration of the experience in light of a particular learning objective.
• Reflection also provides the opportunity to practice and enhance one’s capacity for critical thinking.
• Lastly, reflection can function as a means to celebrate oneself and the accomplishments of a community based-learning partnership.

Check your McGill email for the In Context Newsletter for updates, reminders and internship tips.

Tasks

1. Fill out the Student Self-Reflection and Evaluation Form by the last day of your internship
2. Ensure your Site Supervisor completes and submits the Employer Student Evaluation Form

Tools

Student Self-Reflection and Evaluation Form

Employer Student Evaluation Form (for Site Supervisor)

Tips

• Both evaluation forms must be submitted on the last day of the internship OR latest by the third Friday in August if your internship is ending that week.
• Your Reflection Journal entries can help you when filling out your Student Self-Assessment Form and with your EDGC 399 and 499 coursework following your internship.

Tasks

1. Submit internship photos and videos, and any signed consent forms to the Internships Administrator (internships.edgc [at] mcgill.ca)
2. Attend and participate in the B.A.(Education) Internship Celebration Event in early September (TBD)

Tools

More tools to come!

Tips

More tips to come!