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.
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.
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.
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.
Transformative Talent Skills Internships (TTI) expose graduate students to meaningful career opportunities and help bridge the gap between academia and the workplace.
Advantages of the TTI program:
Work-integrated learning. Transformative Talent Internships are more than just internships. They are experiential learning opportunities in which graduate students set out, achieve, and reflect on learning outcomes specific to their internships.
Course credit. Participating students are registered in a graduate-level internship course, giving them academic credit for their internship experiences.
Transformative Talent Internships also help demonstrate to employers the value of hiring individuals with advanced research and professional training.
Graduate students in masters and PhD programs can participate in internships related to the transferable skills they develop in their academic programs. TTI opportunities do not need to connect to a graduate student’s area of research.
Find out about other experiential learning opportunities
Learn about other experiential learning opportunities for graduate students.
Annual event recognizing outstanding interns and employers
Graduate Studies honours outstanding grad interns and employers at an annual event.
Learn about the value of internships from grad students
Learn about the value of skills internships from other graduate students.