Doctoral Student Internship Program helps Concordia PhD students gain experience beyond academia

Atefeh Heydari understands that securing a tenure-track professorship is increasingly rare. The doctoral student in the Social and Cultural Analysis program is among many graduate students exploring alternative career paths in today’s competitive academic job market.  

"When I started my program, I envisioned a traditional academic career, as many PhD students do,” Heydari says. “Over time, I became more open to exploring diverse ways to apply my expertise beyond the classroom."

So, she was excited to discover a new opportunity at Concordia that allows doctoral students to gain professional experience outside of academia.  

Launched by the School of Graduate Studies in fall 2024, the Doctoral Student Internship Program (DSIP) offers PhD students part-time internships within Concordia’s administrative offices. The program aims to equip participants with valuable workplace skills while expanding their career options. Internships are available three times per year — starting in the fall, winter and summer terms — and require a minimum commitment of 125 hours over several months. 

Gaining practical experience 

Heydari began her internship in January with the Standing Together Against Racism and Identity-Based Violence (STRIVE) Task Force as a community engagement coordinator. She works with its Campus Engagement Subcommittee, co-led by Susan Edey, senior director of community engagement and social impact, and Elana Bloom, senior director of health and wellness. Their work is focusing on engaging the campus community in consultation activities pertaining to identity-based violence.  

Heydari’s responsibilities are multifold. They include coordinating a consultative approach to assess current inclusive practices and spaces for open dialogue. As well, she is examining how institutional safety measures and individuals' experiences with security practices shape perceptions of safety and identity-based violence on campus. These findings will help shape recommendations as part of the Campus Engagement Subcommittee for STRIVE at the end of the consultation process. 

For Heydari, the internship provides a refreshing change from the often-solitary nature of academic research.  

"It’s rewarding to see my research skills applied in a practical setting with immediate impact,” she says. “In addition to academic research, this experience allows me to contribute directly to policy discussions and institutional initiatives.”

PhD students bring unique skills to campus units 

For Bloom, working with Heydari has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. "Since we brought Atefeh on board, we’ve been able to streamline our work and stay on track with our goals," she says.  

She emphasizes that PhD students bring valuable assets to any workplace: strong research skills, independence and a drive to learn. And she adds that student involvement with the STRIVE Task Force adds an important perspective to the initiative.  

Bloom also found the DSIP hiring process to be straightforward, thanks to support from the School of Graduate Studies.

Her advice to those considering hiring a PhD student through the program?  

“Take the chance,” she says. “It's not only rewarding to support students, but you're also learning from them.”

PhD students: Apply for the next round of Doctoral Student Internships by April 1.  

Concordia units: Submit an internship opportunity to the Doctoral Student Internship Program.