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Internships

Program Description

The Embassy of Canada’s Internship Program provides students with an opportunity to be involved in governmental affairs and to develop an understanding of the Canada–U.S. bilateral relationship. We match internship applicants with positions that correspond to their education and interests. We accept interns in the following areas:

All interns are retained on a non-remunerative basis and usually work 4.5 days per week. Students are encouraged to explore whether they can receive academic credit for their service at the Embassy.

Eligibility

The program is open to Canadian and American students at colleges and universities in Canada and the U.S. Recent graduates are also eligible to apply.

Selected interns must complete a reliability screening before serving at the Embassy.

Internship Sessions

Winter/Spring: January – May
Summer: May – August
Autumn: September – December

Application Requirements and Procedure

To be considered for an internship, applicants must complete the Online Application Form which requires the following documents:

1.  Resume/CV

(.pdf or .doc format ONLY - .pdf format preferred)

2.  Letter of Interest

The letter of interest (1-2 pages) should state your goals and interests and why you are interested in serving as an intern at the Embassy of Canada in Washington. (.pdf or .doc format ONLY)

3.  Academic Transcript

An unofficial transcript is acceptable. (.pdf or .jpg format ONLY - .pdf format preferred)

4.  TWO Letters of Recommendation

TWO letters should be submitted on the applicant’s behalf using the Online Letter of Recommendation Submission Form. (.pdf or .doc format ONLY - .pdf format preferred)

Application Deadlines

For the Winter/Spring Term: October 15
For the Summer Term: February 1
For the Autumn Term: June 15

Only complete applications will be considered.

Applicants selected for phone interviews will be contacted by the internship coordinator within 2-6 weeks of the application deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact the internship coordinator: internship@canadianembassy.org

Terms and Conditions

Interns are required to:

  • Work under the direction of their immediate supervisor unless otherwise directed (a job description of duties will be provided on arrival);
  • Complete all assignments and produce quality work;
  • Be presentable and exhibit a professional attitude at all times;
  • Perform general office duties such as drafting routine correspondence for officer’s signature, filing, photocopying and answering phones (these tasks occupy a small amount of time in comparison to other responsibilities);
  • Research, develop and write material for use within the division and assist with briefings and other public events.

Other Things to Consider

Housing

The average cost for a room in Washington, DC is approximately U.S. $1,000/month.

Medical Insurance

The Embassy of Canada does not provide any type of insurance to students participating in our programme. We suggest that you arrange for medical insurance through your school or parents, or that you purchase an individual (provincial) plan for the duration of your stay.

Expenses

Surveys suggest that past interns have spent approximately $100 per week on food transportation, entertainment, laundry, and other incidentals. Most restaurants are relatively expensive in Washington. Purchasing a meal plan may help control costs.

Section Descriptions

We match internship applicants with positions that correspond to their education and interests. On the Online Application Form, you may indicate in what section (office) of the Embassy of Canada you would like to serve as an intern. Note that as we are not always able to accommodate first choice preferences, you may be considered for more than one section.

Political (Foreign & Defence Policy)

The Political Section interns work with staff to monitor and report on trends in U.S. foreign and defence policy as they relate to Canada and Canadian interests. The work of the section focuses on a broad range of bilateral and international issues such as country or regionally-specific situations (e.g., Afghanistan, Russia, the Middle East, North Korea, Americas, Europe, etc.), the Arctic and polar issues, non-proliferation and disarmament, missile defence, hemispheric engagement, defence procurement, international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, NATO or the Organization of American States, international political and security trends and issues, regional cooperation and the general Canada–U.S. defence relationship.

The intern will be expected to research a broad range of information sources, attend and report in a timely matter on think tank events, conferences and seminars as well as hearings on Capitol Hill. The intern will also support Canadian delegations visiting Washington by helping staff plan and run events sponsored by the section or the Embassy. While not a prerequisite, general knowledge of Canadian and/or U.S. foreign and/or defence policy issues would be an asset.

The Political Section requires the intern to be available Monday to Friday every week. Therefore, the Political Section will not consider applications where the applicant owes a certain amount work time every week to an internship agency.

Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

This section’s ongoing function is to monitor legislative developments in the U.S. Congress that are of direct interest to Canada. Issues you may follow include (but are not limited to): Softwood Lumber, the Keystone Pipeline, the Trans-Pacific Strategic-Economic Partnership, Buy America legislation, arctic sovereignty. Note that relevant issues will depend upon the legislation in the current session of Congress. The primary duty of the Congressional Relations intern is to attend and report on important hearings and events, and to distribute extracts from various reports to officers concerned. Other duties include analyzing court transcripts, correspondence with consular offices across the country, and coordinating events with Congressional members in attendance. Parliamentary responsibilities will include: researching and reporting on state political and policy trends; monitoring Congressional hearings related to hot state files and monitoring popular state think tanks and policy journals; monitoring provincial/territorial and state media headlines for news on important bilateral cooperation between states and provinces/territories, and providing logistical support for visiting Canadian delegations, including provincial/territorial premiers and ministers and federal parliamentarians; providing logistical and planning support for the annual visit of  Rising State Leaders in Canada.  Additionally, the intern provides support for a variety of advocacy events the section organizes for relevant contacts.  

Public Affairs (Media Relations)

Media relations interns can expect to be part of a dynamic team that operates in one of the media capitals of the world, reaching out to major U.S. media, specialist press and the Canadian press corps located in Washington, DC. The intern will work on a variety of projects as well as any self-directed projects developed in consultation with the Head of the Embassy Press Office and other media officers. Areas of responsibility will include liaising with the National Press Club, assisting in press conferences and other media opportunities, attending events and hearings of interest to the Press Office, media analysis and being part of the team producing the weekly e-newsletter of Canadian news. The intern can also expect to assist in the development of pitches to news organizations, as well as assist in the planning and execution of public relations initiatives. The intern also contributes to the Connect2Canada website and the Embassy’s social media outreach activities.

Public Affairs (Research)

The research intern prepares a weekly report on current research and presentations regarding political, economic, and public policy issues of interest to Canada at Washington-area think tanks. The report is distributed to senior officials at the Embassy and in Ottawa. This work involves visiting area think tanks and tracking their websites. The academic relations intern also assists our efforts to promote Canadian universities and colleges as a destination for American students. Strong research and writing skills are required.

Public Affairs (Design)

This team provides counsel and services in graphic design, web development/management, print publications, and video/audio production to clients throughout the Embassy. An integral member of the team, the selected individual may act as the official photographer/videographer at embassy events, should be familiar with the basics of photo/AV editing, will help with the Embassy photo library, and occasionally provide assistance with our websites. A working knowledge of graphic design, photography and videography would be useful for this position.

Public Affairs (Military Media Affairs)

The Canadian Military’s Media Affairs intern will:

  • Write feature stories and news items about Canadian military members posted at American military bases across the United States;
  • Develop contacts with Base newspaper editors at American military bases across the United States;
  • Promote CanadianAlly website and produce copy for the website;
  • Coordinate military news stories for Defence publications across Canada and the United States.

There are 700 Canadian Military living and working in more than 25 American States, the successful candidate has the potential to be published in dozens of newspapers and magazines during his/her tenure.

Trade (Trade and Economic Policy)

Multiple positions are available in the Embassy’s Trade & Economics Department, including but not limited to: Trade Finance, Trade Policy, Commercial Policy and International Business Development. Interns will support the work of the trade section on a number of files including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Monitoring U.S. compliance with its obligations under the NAFTA, WTO, and other trade and investment agreements;
  • Monitoring the U.S. trade agenda, including the WTO Doha Round and other trade agreements between the United States and other trading partners (South Korea, Colombia, Panama, the Trans-Pacific Partnership etc.);
  • Agricultural trade policy;
  • Intellectual property (copyright and patent law issues);
  • Trade enforcement and trade remedy law, policy and disputes;
  • Regulatory cooperation;
  • Trade and labour (e.g. labour provisions in free trade agreements, trade adjustment assistance, etc.);
  • Climate change and energy issues as they relate to trade;
  • U.S. trade / economic sanctions (e.g. embargo against Cuba).

In addition to collecting first-hand intelligence at Congressional hearings and think-tank events, interns will conduct research using online sources and databases. Interns will produce summaries and analyses of the previously listed issues in clear and concise reports, memos, and briefing notes. Due to the large number of files that the sections deals with, organization skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize one’s work are highly important. Interns should also be adaptable and willing to become familiar with new files and issues as they arise. Although not necessary, familiarity with trade, economics, and Canadian trade agreements is an asset.

Trade (Commercial Policy and International Business Development)

Multiple positions are available in the Embassy’s Trade Department (Commercial Policy and International Business Development).

Interns will support the work of the trade section on a number of files including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Policies in respect to specific sectors including aerospace, autos, high technology, manufacturing and telecoms, including issues such as spectrum allocation;
  • Transportation issues and policies in areas such as border infrastructure and ports;
  • Support Canadian firms in identifying and accessing commercial opportunities in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia;
  • The latter includes supporting exports, investment (both FDI into Canada, and Canadian firms seeking to invest in the U.S.) and cooperation on innovation and commercialization in the following sectors: defense/security, ICT and cybersecurity, environmental technologies (“cleantech”) and life sciences;
  • Via the Office of Liaison with International Financial Institutions (OLIFI), support the global network of Canadian Trade Commissioners in helping Canadian firms access procurement opportunities at International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

In addition to collecting first-hand intelligence at Congressional hearings and think-tank events, interns will conduct research using online sources and databases. Interns will produce summaries and analyses of the previously listed issues in clear and concise reports, memos, and briefing notes. Due to the large number of files that the sections deals with, organization skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize one’s work are highly important. Interns should also be adaptable and willing to become familiar with new files and issues as they arise. Although not necessary, familiarity with trade, economics, and Canadian trade agreements is an asset.

Trade (Science & Technology)

The main role of the intern is to help in the preparation of a bimonthly newsletter that is sent to Canadian policymakers and other organizations in Canada with an interest in science and technology issues. The intern will attend and report on science and technology legislation hearings of the U.S. Congress and will be required to write concise summaries on panel discussions, events, and luncheons that his/her officer cannot attend. The issues covered are current (such as health, energy, climate change, innovation) and pertain to important bilateral issues. The intern may also assist during Canadian trade missions organised by the Embassy. Special semester-specific projects may be taken on by the intern as presented by the officer. A prior exposure to science and technology can be an asset, but is not required as issues covered relate to policy.

Energy & Environment

The Environment and Energy Section intern works with section staff on issues related to climate change, energy (both renewable and non-renewable), trans-boundary water, air, and wildlife, oceans, fisheries, etc. Responsibilities of the position include attending and writing reports on legislative and think-tank hearings and events, researching, and monitoring media. Furthermore, the intern will assist staff in planning and running events sponsored by the Embassy, and with visits by high-level government officials.

Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States (distinct diplomatic mission)

Assist the staff of the Permanent Mission in carrying out its duties representing Canada at the Organization of American States. Priority themes may include democratic governance, economic and social development, hemispheric security, human rights, and anti-corruption. The intern will assist in reporting on OAS meetings, including Permanent Council and Permanent Committee meetings, and undertake research related to negotiations of a Social Charter of the Americas. This internship will allow an intern to gain a unique perspective into the workings of a hemispheric multilateral organization, and a greater understanding of Canada’s role in the OAS.

Events Production Team

The EPT intern plays an active role in the organization and implementation of all Embassy events which provide the backdrop for networking, advocacy and promotion. Among other duties, the intern is responsible for daily administration including email and phone reception. The intern provides support for supervisors including updating the calendar, troubleshooting logistics, preparing briefing material, setting up meetings, updating the website and documenting event spaces and inventory. The intern is also a liaison between security, catering and the reprographics departments. The intern will design and create any material necessary for an event including menu cards and updating guest lists. In addition, the intern may also be asked to complete special projects related to the section's work in accordance with the events being held at the time. Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Word is required. The intern must maintain a flexible schedule as occasional evening work may be required.

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is one of the largest federal departments and provides common services to more than 100 federal departments and agencies. The department includes twelve branches that are responsible for providing and managing services including buying goods and services, supporting small and medium enterprises, managing pensions for government employees and others. PWGSC's services are provided across Canada through five regional operations, as well as operating offices in Germany and the United States (Washington, DC).

The PWGSC-Washington Office (PWGSC-W) was established as part of the Department of Defence Production, to act as the single window for Canadian purchases under the United States Foreign Military Sales Program (FMS). Over time the PWGSC-W's role has broadened to support other PWGSC business lines in their dealings with U.S. counterparts including the International Cooperation Initiative (ICI) which facilitates the sharing of knowledge and best practices. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PWGSC and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in June 2003, the office has supported a variety of activities, such as joint collaborative working groups, initiatives, and biannual meetings of the two management teams. PWGSC-W also partners with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) on a number of common issues affecting Canadians such as U.S. export control reform, particularly the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and "Buy American" thinking and legislation.

As an intern with PWGSC-W, you will be asked to support the office by assisting on logistics for visits and events, participate to meetings and international forum discussions, monitor subjects and trends, conduct research and analysis, prepare reports and briefings on government and military procurement, and other tasks relevant to the PWGSC mandate. We are looking for someone that is able to manage multiple priorities, fit in a team environment and work with deadlines.

Military Health Services Attaché

The Military Health Services Attaché intern is responsible for assisting the Attaché with an array of different responsibilities. Responsibilities include coordinating social events, maintaining the monthly newsletter, maintaining the website, reporting on events, projects, and research in the field of military/health care. The intern must be prepared to multi-task and streamline projects as well as reaching out to other embassies across Washington D.C. to progress initiatives by the Canadian Embassy.  Skills in MS Office Suite are a must, with preference to skills in upcoming technologies, as well as health and event coordinating experience.

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Date Modified:
2013-03-11