Internship and Work Experience Programs

Internship and Work Experience Programs for Students

Work experience programs can help you develop and test out career options, apply classroom knowledge, build transferable skills, learn more about your strengths and interests, and make connections in the community.

There are a variety of work experience programs available to you depending on your department and faculty. Some of these programs are arranged through your faculty and some are arranged through the Career Centre.

Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) Internship Program

The ALES Internship Program is now being administered by the Faculty of Science Internship Program. Please visit their website for more information.

ALES Mini-Internship Program (AMIP)

Learn how to apply your education and training while testing a career in the animal science industry.

Please note the ALES Mini-Internship Program is an unpaid work program.

Arts Work Experience (AWE)

Apply your academic knowledge in the workplace through a full-time, paid 4, 8, or 12-month internship experience.

Graduate Student Internship Program (GSIP)

Gain valuable work experience through paid, meaningful internships in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors.

International Student Summer Employment Program

Develop your skills through a summer job on campus if you are a full-time undergraduate international student paying the U of A differential fee.

Non-Profit Board Student Internship Program (NPBSIP)

Learn how boards operate, develop leadership and decision-making skills, and get engaged in your community.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) provides wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements. The wage subsidies help employers hire post-secondary students for paid work experience. SWPP - delivered by Magnet - extends funding eligibility to registered Canadian businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and post-secondary institutions. Please note that SWPP funding eligibility cannot apply in conjunction with other sources of funding, like Canada Summer Jobs, Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), or SWPP Employer Delivery Partners. To learn more, visit Student Work Placement Program.

Money
Will you be paid or volunteering? Some industries have normalized unpaid internships; know your employment rights.

Academics
Will you get academic credit or a notation on your transcript? Is this important to you?

Eligibility
Are you clear on the requirements? For example, do you have to be returning to school after the experience? Are additional courses required? Are there other special qualifications, such as knowing certain languages?

Location
Is the location local or international? Do you want to move? Check if you can get help with relocation or living expenses.

Length
Work experience programs can range from a few months to years in length.

Audience

Students