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Internships for graduate students

Understand the difference between a skills internship, a research internship and a program-required internship to learn what will work best for your needs.

What kinds of internship opportunities are available to graduate students?

Not all internships have the same purpose, and they don't all call for the same skill sets. Understand the difference between a skills internship, a research internship and a program-required internship (such as a practicum) to learn what will work best for your needs. 

Program-required internship

Some programs include an internship or practicum as part of the program academic requirements. If your program has an internship or practicum requirement, it will not qualify for Transformative Talent Internship funding or course credit. 

Contact your Graduate Program Administrator to learn more about your specific program requirements.

Research internship

A research internship is usually related to your research, and gives you the opportunity to expand on the specialized skills you've developed in your studies. A research internship will complement your field of study. 

Research internships are funded through Mitacs Canada. Please note: internships eligible for Mitacs funding are not eligible for Transformative Talent Internship funding.

Discover Mitacs internships

Skills internship (Transformative Talent Internship)

A skills internship focuses on supplemental skills you've developed as a graduate student. It doesn't need to be related to your research, although it can be. A skills internship helps you explore career options and gives you practical hands-on experience that will help you in your academic and professional career.

Explore TTIs

What is Experiential Learning?

At the University of Calgary, Experiential Learning (EL) takes place across several categories of learning. Graduate student internships may qualify as EL opportunities, either as research-based experiential learning or as work-integrated learning. 

Research-based EL supports students in developing skills and capacities for creativity, innovation, and discovery by leading or contributing to a research project.

Work-integrated learning is a category of EL activities completed as part of an academic program in a work-like setting, such as cooperative education, internships, and practica. 

Learn about experiential learning at the Taylor Institute Find more supports for experiential learning