Student AffairsInterested in creating a summer internship? The new ArtSci Summer Internship Program offers on-campus employers an opportunity to hire students for full-time 4-month paid internships. Interns bring their education and energy to work settings, making a valuable contribution to university departments.
The ArtSci Summer Internship Program Employer Guide 2027 (PDF, 987.8 KB) provides full details about hiring a summer intern in your department.
How could a student contribute to your unit?
Please remember that student roles are not to replace staff roles, but add additional capacity with positions that are best suited for students. Please contact your HR Advisor if you have any questions. Consider the following:
- What skills may students bring?
- What work is not being done that a student could do over the summer?
- What projects have we wanted to do but never had capacity for?
- What tasks can be collated into a summer internship role?
- What research (e.g., literature review, scan of best practices) could benefit or enhance our work?
- What part-time student roles have we had in the past that we could adapt to a full-time summer internship?
- Download and review the ArtSci Summer Internship Program Employer Guide (PDF, 987.8 KB).
- Create a Job Description for the intended positions and post the positions in MyCareer. See Appendix B - Sample Job Description in the Employer Guide.
- Post the positions to MyCareer. See Appendix C – MyCareer Internship Posting Procedure for step-by-step instructions.
We offer support to on-campus partners throughout the entire internship process, from the recruitment to internship phase.
Recruitment Phase
- We follow a continuous recruitment cycle, so you can post internship positions, interview students, and extend offers when it is convenient for you
- We offer assistance with job postings, interview scheduling, and offer extension
Internship Phase
- We prepare students for the transition from academic study to work settings through 1-1 advising and pre-departure workshops
- We encourage student learning and skill development through reflection and evaluation components while on internship
- The internship team is always available to offer support to employers and students – email WIL@queensu.ca
Tips for creating a job description
- Consider keeping experience requirements low and relative to the amount of experience students would likely have had.
- Rather than hiring from only one specific discipline, consider being open to students from different academic backgrounds; they may have the skills you're looking for.
- Students may be hesitant to apply if they don't have the specific courses or experience requirements you've listed.
- List core responsibilities so that students know what they'll be accountable for, but don't go overboard with acronyms and jargon. Focus the job description on the key skills and experiences you want students to highlight for you in their application packages.
- Explain how the student will be supervised and mentored during their internship, as well as the learning opportunities that the role will include.
- Include a clear list of items you expect in an application package (i.e. resume, cover letter, transcript).
Additional Resources
On-boarding and Supervising Students - Tips and Resources
- CEWIL Canada’s Onboarding Remotely Tipsheet (PDF, 176 KB)
- CEWIL Canada’s Supervising Remotely Tipsheet (PDF, 146 KB)
- Supervisor Resources and References (PDF, 975 KB)
New to working with students? Employing Student Talent (PDF, 5.5 MB) is a guide that will help you think about the skills students have and ways to integrate student talent into your workplace.