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Student-Initiated Internships

Eligibility

Applying for a ‘student-initiated internship’ means requesting to have a paid employment role recognized as compatible with the official Social Sciences internship courses, SOCSCI 3IF0 and/or SOCSCI 3IP0. Here are the eligibility questions to ask:

Do I have the prerequisite course?

To formally register an internship and complete one of the courses above, you must have successfully completed a prerequisite course: SOC SCI 2EL0 or 2EL3: Career Planning through Experiential Learning. If you are a pursuing a combined honours with Social Sciences, HUMAN 2CP3 may be accepted as an alternative.

Am I eligible to register an internship?

Only students who meet all of the the following eligibility criteria are provided access to view and apply to these postings. You must:

  • Have completed a qualifying prerequisite course (e.g. 2EL3) as described above;
  • Be registered in the Faculty of Social Sciences in a degree program completing a minimum of 18 units during the Fall/Winter Term;
  • Be in good academic standing with the university (not on academic probation);
  • Be in good financial standing with the university (no outstanding financial accounts on the student record);
  • Be registered in Level II or above (official registration for Level II begins only after the student has successfully completed Level I requirements and has commenced coursework for Level II, usually in September of their second year);
  • Be authorized to work in Canada during the term(s) in question (i.e. International students must refer to the Government of Canada website to ensure eligibility before submitting an application).

Is the paid position eligible to become an internship?

Not all opportunities framed as ‘internships’ by the organizers are eligible for these courses. Here are the criteria for these courses:

  • Is the position a paid role, compensated at at least minimum wage? (Honorarium or stipend positions are not eligible.)
  • Will you formally become an employee of the employer organization? (Informal or volunteer positions are not eligible.)
  • Will the employment position be 12 weeks in duration, aligned within the start and end dates of an academic term?
  • Are the duties assigned an appropriate level for a student completing a Social Sciences undergraduate degree?

Is There Still Time?

For administrative reasons, and as per course policy, the non-negotiable deadlines for registering a student-initiated internship are as follows:

Term Deadline Date
Fall
 2nd Friday of September
Winter
 2nd Friday of January
Summer  2nd Friday of May

 

Information Box Group

Step 1: Ensure Eligibility

Review the eligibility details above to ensure that you are eligible to take the internship course(s) and that the position you have found is eligible to be recognized.

Step 2: Complete the Application Download the Form

Download and complete the student-initiated internship application, completing all required details and confirming eligibility.

Step 3: Submit by Email Email the Completed Form

Email the completed form to our team using the link below; you can usually expect a reply within 1-2 business days.

Or: Apply to Cultivated Internships

You don’t have to do it on your own. In addition to allowing student-initiated internships, the Faculty of Social Sciences team works with employer partners to cultivate, curate, and promote viable internship opportunities to interested students who have taken SOCSCI 2EL0 or 2EL3.

For details, see the main Social Sciences Internships page.

Internships Internship Main Page

Visit the main Social Sciences Internships for more information, including how staff-cultivated job openings work and how you can get started.

Social Sciences 2EL3 SOCSCI 2EL3

If you’re a student in or entering Level 2, 3, or 4 and are interested in internships, your first step is taking Social Sciences 2EL3: Career Preparation in the Social Sciences.

Co-Op Programs Consider Co-op

If you are in or entering Level I, you can consider pursuing a Co-op program option as your program of study, building formal work terms into your degree requirements and benefiting from dedicated supports.

Alternative Courses

Is the experience you have in mind not eligible to register as an internship? You might consider the following alternative options:

Departmental Experiential Courses Browse Departments

Several academic departments within the Faculty of Social Sciences have introduced courses that recognize experiential and work-integrated learning with academic credit. See the individual departmental pages for details.

SOC SCI 3EP3 About 3EP3

Where a departmental course is not available, Social Sciences 3EP3 allows a student to complete a unique unpaid, volunteer, or experiential opportunity, on a part-time basis, for academic credit. Instead of a paid employment-based model, this course requires academic supervision by a faculty member.

Staff Support

If you have reviewed the materials above thoroughly and still have questions, please contact:

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Karen Thorburn

Co-op & Internship Student Manager

thorbk1@mcmaster.ca
KTH 129 (Student Services Office)