How to Get an Internship in Canada

What does it mean to be an intern? Do you get paid? Do you not get paid? How many hours are you allowed to work? There are lots of questions that we’re sure go through your mind when you’re thinking of taking on an internship. 

One thing that’s been proven is that a solid internship can provide the experience, skills and connections you need to land your first full-time job. So, don’t underestimate the significance of an internship. And like any job, you want to approach it the right way. 

Here’s what you need to know about finding an internship in Canada. 

What is an internship in Canada? 

Generally speaking, an internship is an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience by working for a company. 

While gaining knowledge and experience may be the primary purpose, as an intern you’re still expected to do the job. If you’re a marketing intern, you may be expected to conduct digital marketing research or create content for social media platforms, Interning as a front-end developer, you’d have the opportunity to write code, while a newsroom intern may have the opportunity to conduct research for an investigative story. 

Regardless of your duties as an intern, there are layers to consider. One of those is understanding the difference between a student intern and internships that are not specifically  for students. 

Student internships 

Student interns must be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution. The internship you take on must fill the requirements of a given program at your institution and these requirements must be stated clearly by your institution. 

Do student interns get paid?

The most important distinction is that student interns can be paid or unpaid. As long as the main reason for the internship is to “gain knowledge and experience,” then that satisfies the legal requirements here in Canada. 

Non-student internships 

In Canada, non-student interns must be paid at least the minimum wage for the province. Under this definition of internship, you cannot be enrolled in any educational institution, even if the internship is outside of your program. You can be a recent graduate or looking for relevant experience as you change careers. While students have a length of time they can stay at an internship, which is guided by their program, non-student interns don’t have any restrictions on how long they can work at a particular company. 

Another important distinction between student and non-student interns is that students cannot legally be paid overtime. There are no such payment or hourly restrictions on non-student interns, as long as they comply with general labour laws. 

When should you get an internship?

Many students get an internship throughout their junior and senior years to help them increase their chances of getting a job offer after they graduate. Internships are a great way to earn experience, try industries you might be curious about, and begin your career path.

Best way to get an internship

Now that you understand what an internship opportunity looks like, let’s talk about the steps you need to take to find an internship. 

1. Consider your qualifications 

You’ve taken time to build skills in a specific area of study. When looking for an internship, think about places where those skills will be most applicable. Here’s how you can identify and adapt your skills: 

• Think about what you’re studying or have studied. 
• Consider some of the experiences you’ve gathered throughout your time in college or university and any projects outside of your institution. 
• Apply the skills you’ve learned or are still learning to a position that matches your capabilities. 
• Identify career fields that are of interest to you or you’d like to explore.
  

When you approach an internship this way, you can show employers that you’re already taking the necessary steps to prepare for your career and have likely done projects you can present that capture your skills and experience.  

Learn more about what types of skills employers are looking for.