Internship
- is an opportunity for a student to gain work experience in a field that is of interest to them. A main goal of an internship is for the student to determine if they have an interest in a particular career path. Internships are usually for a few hours per week. They can also be for credit or not-for-credit.
Practicum
- is a work related experience that is directly tied to a course and specialized field of study. Students who participate in practicums tend to do so as part of their program of study. Examples of this would be education and human services majors.
The Career Experience Office specifically helps students who have an interest in pursuing an internship. As practicums are directly tied to a student's program of study placements for practicums are provided through the school or faculty through which a particular degree is offered.
Why should I think about doing an internship?
- Helps you to test whether a career path is right for you.
- Enables you to contextualize your course work.
- Eases your transition from the education environment to the workplace.
Can international students do internships?
Yes. International students may obtain an Employment Authorization Permit when they are accepted for an internship. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the Employment Authorization Form from Canada Immigration. International students must apply for and receive employment authorization before they begin an internship in Canada. You must maintain full time continuous student status to remain in the internship which means you have to be enrolled in TWU courses.
How long is an internship?
The length and amount of time an internship may take can vary depending on a student's availability and what a particular employer might be looking for. Below are some examples and what the Career Experience Office advises for each:
Casual Internship
- Volunteer role (few hrs per week)
- No course credit available
- The Career Experience Office may or may not be involved.
Part-Time Internship
- Either Paid (not-for-credit) or Unpaid (for-credit)
- Internships for credit would be required to have between 150 - 300 hours of discipline related work to qualify. Internships would have to be approved by the Career Experience Office in conjunction with a student's academic program of study.
Full-Time Internship/Co-op
- Paid full-time work
- Not for course credit
- Student with less then 90 sem hrs would need to enroll as a co-op student with the Career Experience Office
- Students with over 90 sem hrs can apply depending on the employment criteria for the specific job.
When would I apply to get credit for an internship?
To receive credit a student would need to have an internship arranged and approved by both the Career Experience Office and their academic advisor by or before the add/drop date of the semester prior to the semester they intend to do the internship (i.e. if the internship is for the spring semester the approvals are required prior to the add/drop date in the current fall semester).
What are the requirements to receive course credit?
It is recommended that students consult their academic advisor to find out specific details. In general students will need:
Criteria for credit approval:
- Academic performance-minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Approval of Internship or Directed Studies course by professor
- Approval of the Internship & Employer by the Career Experience Office
- Entrance Interview by the Career Experience Office
Once an internship experience is approved for credit a student must meet the following criteria in order to receive a passing grade:
- Complete their internship work term ;
- Earn a favorable employer evaluation;
- Receive a passing grade on their internship/directed studies course work.
*It is recommended that students consider taking Career Prep 100 (a 1 semester hour course) to gain some professional development prior to doing their internship.
How do I find an internship placement?
To ensure your internship lines up with your career goals, The Career Experience Office (CEO) empowers you to find your own work placement in a company/organization that interests you.
To begin this search be sure to come into the Student Success Centre to get professional resume help as well as tips for job interviews. Next you can see what internship positions are posted at Career Connect, which is a TWU based search engine. Another place to search is through the many internship links (click "Internship Links" on the left-hand menu bar).
What happens if I do not complete my internship?
Not completing an internship constitutes a failing grade (F) that will go on your transcript. Once you have failed an internship, you will not be able to participate in another internship in the future.