SHIFT internship program
Connected learning for social transformation
Connecting Concordia students and socially transformative initiatives across Montreal through paid, mutually-beneficial experiential learning opportunities.
Program highlights
- Open to all: Our program accepts local and international students from all programs including communications, project management, translation, web development, and more.
- Work across difference towards social transformation: Collaborate directly with activists, organizers, and organizations dedicated to advancing a more just, inclusive, and broadly prosperous Montreal.
- Professional development and networking opportunities: SHIFT provides students access to a wide range of professional development resources and networking opportunities, both within SHIFT and through external partnerships.
- Individualized support and guidance: Students and host organizations receive ongoing support, guidance, and mentorship from SHIFT staff throughout the internship journey. This includes regular check-ins or tailored programming to ensure a successful experience.
For students
Each year, we offer a wide range of internships to allow students from all faculties to experiment with and put in application the knowledge gained through their classes. Opportunities are offered as part-time paid positions, from 10 to 20 hours a week.
Eligibility
- Must be authorized to work in Canada
- Must have a SIN number and access to a Canadian banking institution
- Must be enrolled in a degree program at Concordia University during the term in which the internship will be completed Must be available for SHIFT's intern programming (up to 10 hours across the Fall and Winter semesters)
- Internship Kick-off (in-person): 4:30-7 PM, Thursday, September 5, 2024
- 2 virtual workshops, one in each semester (dates TBD)
- Closing Showcase (in-person): 4:30-7 PM, Friday, April 11, 2025
- Encouraged to apply to a role relevant to their program of study
Timeline for SHIFT internships in 2024-2025
Please note that the start and end dates are suggested dates based on the academic calendar. The real dates should be discussed between the placement organization and the student.
| July 28, 2024 | Application deadline |
| July 29, 2024 | Organizations receive applications, interviews and offers to students begin (some exceptions might apply) |
| August 6, 2024 | Interviews and offers period is complete, intern is introduced to SHIFT |
| August 25, 2024 | Agreements and paperwork submitted to confirm internship positions |
| September 3, 2024 | Start of fall-winter internship (12 weeks each semester) |
| September 5, 2024 | Internship kick-off event (in-person from 4:30-7:00 pm) |
| Winter break (dates to be discussed between hosts and students) | |
| April 10, 2025 | Public showcase and closing event (in-person from 4:30-7:00 pm) |
| April 15, 2025 | End of fall-winter internship |
SHIFT internship opportunities
To receive offers directly by email, subscribe to the internship mailing list.
Hear from past students and host organizations
"Working with the JIA Foundation and SHIFT Centre for Social Transformation has showcased the collective strength and transformative power that can be achieved through community-driven development. The opportunity to work with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and expertise is invaluable and one that I encourage for anyone interested in being actively involved in meaningful social change." - Elizabeth Dresdner, BA in Urban Planning (Jia Foundation Intern)
“I have always wanted to work in the non-profit and community sector, and there are not many opportunities provided in JMSB that allows me experiences like this internship has. I carry forward a lot of practical skills and a better understanding of the non-profit world."
Rayan Mohamed, BA in Finance (Project 10 Intern)
For host organizations
As part of our extensive in-kind support offerings, projects that have received the Ongoing Connections Grant can host one or two interns per term. SHIFT provides support in promoting the available roles and assumes full financial responsibility for the interns.
All interested project teams who have not been a part of the program before must participate in an onboarding call with SHIFT staff.
Eligibility
- Must have received SHIFT’s Ongoing Connections Grant the year prior to the internship year.
- Must be interested in developing meaningful experiential learning opportunities with Concordia students.
Commitments and expectations
- Time commitment: We estimate the time commitment for supervisors to be around 3-5 hours a week to best support the intern.
- When requesting an internship: We ask that hosts reflect on the hours and tasks of the intern, your capacity, a rough supervision plan, and any potential needs you foresee ((knowing that SHIFT is here to fill in gaps when possible).
- Selection of students: SHIFT will collect applications for the positions and share them once the deadline is up. Host organizations will then independently manage the hiring process (including reviewing applications, scheduling and hosting interviews, selecting candidates).
- Set students up for success: As a host organisation, you would need to ensure beneficial experiences for participating students. These commitments could look like:
- Utilizing supervision tools such as to-do and priorities lists, and team briefings to make sure students feel clear in their role and its contributions, and feel connected to the team and larger mission.
- Providing mentorship and training such as assessing students’ skills, outlining clear expectations and goals, creating introductory points to other team members, explaining working procedures, or explaining health and safety in the working place.
- Co-operate in fulfilling departmental requirements if the student has applied for the internship to contribute as credits towards their program.
- Participate in feedback systems: For each active internship semester, hosts are mandated to participate in a midterm check-in call with your SHIFT point person as well as fill out an end-of-semester feedback form.
