By Jane Hilderman
Are you ready for the experience of a lifetime? The Parliamentary Internship Programme is a longstanding but relatively unknown opportunity for young Canadians (under 35 years), who have:
- undergraduate degree in any field (minimum);
- working understanding of both official languages; and
- an interest in Canadian political affairs.
The brainchild of backbench MP, Alf Hales, who served the riding of Wellington for 17 years, PIP is recruiting for its 42nd year (2012-2013). The program runs from September – June each year. Interns work as non-partisans in the offices of two backbench MPs during the course of the internship: one in government and one in opposition. It is, in short, one of the most intense immersions into Canadian political life available for Canadian youth.
Interns have the opportunity to organize meetings with people of interest to them: cabinet ministers, former Prime Ministers, the Governor General, and senior public servants are some examples. Interns also help plan their own regular study tours to Quebec City; London, UK; and Brussels, Belgium; Washington, D.C.; and Nunavut – an unparalleled opportunity to learn more about other systems of governance and Canadian foreign affairs. In the nation’s capital, interns host other visiting interns from programs in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and Washington D.C. throughout the course of the year.
Major travel costs are provided for, and interns receive a stipend which covers basic living expenses during the 10 month internship. Interns also undertake an original research paper during the internship - several which have been published in places like the Canadian Parliamentary Review.
PIP Alumni have entered many diverse fields: public policy, consulting, political staffing, journalism, academia, foreign service, lobbying, law, medicine, and beyond.
Application details can be found on PIP’s website: http://www.pip-psp.org/index-e.html
Stay tuned for other internship opportunities on Samara’s blog in the coming days!