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How it works

Interested in a paid internship? Seeking part-time work that offers applied sustainability research opportunities?

Become a UVic Sustainability Scholar and work with professional mentors to complete 250 hours of project work, earning a UVic RA wage from May 1 to August 15. 

As a Sustainability Scholar, you will be paired with a community, government, Indigenous or industry partner to work on a research problem that helps them to address the sustainability challenge they have identified. We collaborate with these partners to scope distinctive research projects around their sustainability goals, offering you real-world opportunities to apply and build your research skills and professional experience. Gain exposure to how organizations are attempting to confront the moment we are in.

You can apply as a UVic graduate student from any program or academic discipline. Projects will vary in topic and scope. 

Info for prospective scholars

Internship hiring process

Applicants have until January 31, 2025, to apply for up to 3 projects. The UVic Sustainability Scholars Program team will then shortlist candidates and forward their information to partner organizations, who will take charge of the interview and final selection process. The compensation for selected scholars is at the UVic Research Assistant rate for a total of 250 hours of work.

Benefits

• build your professional skills and networks, expand your career options
• improve your research and critical thinking skills and apply them to real-world problems that address sustainability challenges in BC
• learn from sustainability partner mentors
• gain hands-on experience working towards positive change
• work on an engaging research project that is part-time, allowing you to continue with your courses and thesis work

Eligibility

The UVic Sustainability Scholars Program welcomes current full-time UVic graduate students from all academic disciplines.

• you must have a valid social insurance number
• you must check any student funding or other guidelines to confirm you are able to work the required project hours
• you must be a current UVic graduate student (for the duration of the program: May 1 to Aug. 15)
• you must live in BC during the project term

How to prepare

Connect with our Program Manager if you have questions. Update your resumés, begin to think about what skills and experience you can contribute, consider whether you possess the following:

• a strong interest in sustainability
• a professional, ethical, and cooperative approach to work
• openness to new ideas and approaches
• creative problem solving
• clear and effective written and verbal communication
• excellent critical thinking and judgement
• excellent time management skills
• the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• enthusiasm and curiosity for the research subject matter

Info session

Sustainability Scholars info session - January 15

Stay tuned for January 2025 info session! 

Application process

The application process will include:

Written application

• carefully review the internship positions to help you prepare your application
• attach a cover letter, references, and resume to each project you apply for
• be sure to tailor your cover letter and resume to each project application
• applicants will be shortlisted for their preferred projects based on how well their skills (as described in their cover letter) align with the project requirements

Interview

• the top 3 to 5 candidates for each project will be shortlisted by the UVic team and submitted to the partner organization
• students will be notified if they have been shortlisted
• the project mentor will reach out to candidates to arrange interviews. The partner organization will check your references

Offer / acceptance

• the preferred candidate will receive an informal offer from the partner organization and then a formal offer from UVic. Candidates are asked to respond quickly as we are trying to fill many openings in a short period

See our application guidelines for more detail on how to apply.

Internship opportunities

How to apply

1. Update your resume, your references, and prepare your cover letter (you will need to combine these into a PDF and submit with each project you apply for).
2. Review our application guidelines.
3. Click on the Apply now button below to begin your application.
4. Questions? Contact our Program Manager.