Internship in Political Studies

Overview

“POLS 598: Internship in Political Studies” is the Department's experiential learning program. It provides third- and fourth-year Political Studies and Politics-stream PPE students with the opportunity to develop practical skills related to their degree by pairing them with local organizations that are engaged in work related to politics, in the broadest sense of the term.

Course

The course is pass/fail and worth 3.0 credit units. Students will work a total of 90 hours (maximum 10 per week) with a partner organization, and participate in classroom meetings facilitated by the Internship Coordinator Dr. Stephen Larin, with orientation at the beginning of the term, a mid-term check-in, and presentations at the end of the term. Students will be evaluated based on weekly journal entries, their presentation, a final report, and completion of placement hours. The internships are unpaid, but this makes it possible to have more placements, and opens the program to international students who do not have the right to paid employment in Canada.

Political work

We define political work broadly. As our students know, politics is not just about elections and political parties, but almost anything that affects the distribution of power in society. That is why our partner roster covers such a wide range of sectors and organizations, including constituency offices, City Hall, and public service agencies, but also non-governmental organizations that focus on topics such as food security, gender equity, the environment, newcomer integration, and community service.

For the full list of our partners and information about the experience they are offering, navigate to the ‘Partners’ tab above.

Eligibility criteria

Third or fourth-year Major or Joint Honours in Political Studies, or in the Politics stream of the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics specialization
Minimum 3.3 Grade Point Average (B+) across all completed Political Studies courses
Enthusiastic about gaining practical experience, helping a local organization, and representing Queen’s in the Kingston community

How to apply

Application for the Winter 2025 term is now closed. Application for the 2025–26 academic year will open in May 2025 after all of that year's partners are confirmed, with a deadline in late June. Set a reminder for yourself to check back at that time.

Partners

This is an alphabetical list of the 34 placements offered by our 21 partners. Please review it carefully before applying, and note any special requirements such as a police record check. The list was last updated on 5 June 2024, and may be updated again before the application deadline.

Enter a topic in the search box ('policy', 'housing', or 'environment', for example) to see placements related to that topic.

The roster is also available to download in PDF format.

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Partners
Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Queen’s University) Description Situated on Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee territories, Agnes is a curatorially-driven, research-intensive professional art centre proudly serving a dual mandate as a leading, internationally recognized public art gallery and active pedagogical resource at Queen’s. By commissioning, researching, collecting and stewarding works of art, and by exhibiting and interpreting visual culture through an intersectional lens, Agnes creates opportunities for participation and exchange across communities, cultures, histories and geographies. Website https://agnes.queensu.ca/ Internship Agnes is poised to play a sector-leading role in Canada’s cultural futurities through ongoing experimentation, risk-taking, re/evaluation and our commitments to curatorial innovation—approaching even our historical holdings through a sense of dialectic contemporaneity. As a category A museum with street cred, we exemplify how museums of the past can inhabit the future; we advance social justice as we enact the work of decolonization to paradigmatically shift contemporary museology as a core institutional practice. We embrace our complexity, transforming the cultural milieu of our locality—the first capital of Canada— Kingston. Agnes has an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine the social, civic and pedagogical role of the 21st-century museum in tandem with a community-engaged architectural design process, ensuring museums of Canada’s cultural future no longer look like those of Canada’s colonial past. We are building the apparatus—and the new architectures—to do this in Agnes Reimagined, our new facility planned for 2026. These values define our work: We are civic! We believe encounters with original works of art contribute to reflexive self-understanding: at the intersection of pedagogy and civic responsibility lies art’s ability to transform social imaginaries. We are social! We work responsively to nurture and sustain expressions and exchange of diverse cultural perspectives. Our institutional practices/policies must play a role. We are advocates! We endeavor to protect and enhance the artistic integrity of artists with whom we work, communities whom we serve, and artworks in our care. We are future-oriented! We believe in art’s worldmaking potential: art institutions play an integral role in advancing inclusive futures. Many of our projects are relevant to the Internship in Political Studies program and we will work with the intern to find the right fit. Special Requirements Police or vulnerable sector check may be required depending on the intern’s project.
Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario, Conseil régional des Mille-Îles (ACFOMI) Description ACFOMI strives to welcome, develop, fulfill, and vitalize the French-speaking community in the Thousand Islands region through diversified programming and services. Website https://www.acfomi.ca/ Internship L’ACFOMI a trois secteurs d’activités qui pourraient intéresser le ou la stagiaire. Cette personne pourra décider de travailler pour un ou plusieurs de ces secteurs. Nous offrons des services aux francophones, des services d’établissement pour les nouveaux arrivants immigrants et des services d’employabilité. Francophonie : l’ACFOMI est souvent appelée à représenter les intérêts de la francophonie, des nouveaux arrivants immigrants francophones ou encore des personnes utilisant nos services d’employabilité auprès de différents groupes d’intérêt de Kingston et de la province. Le ou la stagiaire pourra représenter les francophones des Mille-Îles, participer à des événements avec nos partenaires communautaires ou s’impliquer dans le processus de demande de subvention et de partenariat. Établissement : Le ou la stagiaire pourra travailler à développer de nouvelles activités pour les bénéficiaires de nos services ou s’impliquer dans le processus administratif de production de rapport auprès de nos bailleurs de fonds. Employabilité : Le ou la stagiaire pourra s’informer des autres services disponibles dans la communauté pour nous permettre de mieux référer nos clients vers les ressources qui ne sont pas liées à l’emploi. Nous encourageons l’innovation et sommes ouverts à tout projet qui profitera à notre organisme. Special Requirements Students must be able to speak, read, and write French fluently to apply for this placement.
Cataraqui Conservation Description Cataraqui Conservation is a community-based environmental protection and advisory agency, created in 1964 by the Province of Ontario at the request of municipalities within the Cataraqui watershed. Its core mandate is to work in partnership with local municipalities, provincial and federal government agencies, environmental organizations, and the general public to monitor and protect water, natural habitats, shorelines, and promote sustainable living in our community. Website https://cataraquiconservation.ca/ Internship Cataraqui Conservation owns and manages over 4700ha of property in the region. These properties have a variety of purposes that include natural hazard protection, ecological preservation and public recreation in the form of trails, education programs and facilities. The intern's tasks and project(s) will be determined based on the needs of the organization during the placement period. Special Requirements The Cataraqui Conservation office is only accessible by car.
Citizen Engagement and Ethnocultural Services (Regional Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada) Description The Correctional Service of Canada provides the care and custody of men and women who are serving a sentence, imposed by the Courts, for two years or more. Offenders belonging to Ethnocultural minority groups often have specific needs based on race, language, culture, or belief system. The Ethnocultural Services Department works to address these needs to help preserve and promote cultural identity and practices. Interventions, services and activities are in place to ensure the specific needs and cultural interests of Ethnocultural offenders are identified and met. Website https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca Internship The intern will work closely with the manager of department to provide an overview of the available services and will work on micro-missions and small projects which will aim to provide an overview of how the CSC works with other government departments within the Public Safety portfolio in meeting our mandate. Special Requirements Police record check for Canada and all other countries of prior residence.
Climate Leadership (City of Kingston) Description The City of Kingston’s Climate Leadership Division leads and supports climate actions identified by Council in its Strategic Plan under the Pillar “Lead Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action. Staff’s role is to facilitate projects and change throughout the community and within the organization in the implementation of the City of Kingston’s Climate Leadership Plan. Website https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall Internship The Climate Leadership intern would provide support to various Climate Leadership Division initiatives, which could include conducting a scan of environmental research and best practices, assisting with draft communications, reviewing documents, and collaborating with various departments to provide support to projects contained within the Strategic Plan under the pillar “Lead Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action”. This could include research in matters such as (for example): exploring options for a bike sharing program; exploring opportunities to support the community’s transition to alternative energy; education program on water conservation in the community and the potential to achieve Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly Certification. Special Requirements Police record check for Canada and all other countries of prior residence.
CNIB Kingston Description Description Founded in 1918, CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. It delivers innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Its work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. Website www.cnib.ca Internship This internship will assist with driving forward our advocacy, government relations, and public policy work alongside our advocacy staff and volunteers. It will provide the opportunity for a Political Studies student to put their education and knowledge into practice through their involvement in making impactful, lasting change in our communities and implementing best practices in advocacy and government relations to meet our advocacy goals. Working alongside the regional Advocacy Lead to implement CNIB’s Accessible Community Engagement campaign in the Kingston area, through researching stakeholders and canvassing local businesses and organizations to build partnerships and create a culture of accessibility. Support and coordinate activities related to CNIB’s advocacy campaigns at the local, regional, and national levels. Develop materials to effectively implement provincial advocacy and government relations initiatives, including correspondence to government officials. Conduct research to support CNIB’s provincial advocacy initiatives, including research into relevant legislation and regulation that relates to a particular issue affecting people with sight loss. Provide communication support such as content creation, key messages and social media that are used for our advocacy campaigns. Assist in working with individuals who are blind or partially sight that require 1:1 advocacy support in resolving an issue. Help with the delivery of advocacy programs. Assist with in-person activities at the Kingston office as required. Special Requirements Police record check for Canada and all other countries of prior residence, Covid-19 vaccination, and three references.
Communications (Regional Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada) Description The Correctional Service of Canada provides the care and custody of men and women who are serving a sentence, imposed by the Courts, for two years or more. The Communications department provides advice and recommendations to senior management in the region and acts as the voice of CSC, responding to media and public enquiries. It participates in projects and liaises with clients to develop, prepare, implement, and deliver communication products and services such as news releases, proposals, presentations, stories and a variety of multimedia material. Website https://www.csc-scc.gc.ca Internship The intern will work closely with the manager of department to provide an overview of the available services and will work on micro-missions and small projects which will aim to provide an overview of how the CSC works with other government departments within the Public Safety portfolio in meeting our mandate. Special Requirements Police record check for Canada and all other countries of prior residence.
Community Foundation for Kingston & Area Description Established in 1995, CFKA is a local registered charitable public foundation with a mandate to connect the generosity of donors in the Kingston region with local charities addressing urgent and emerging community needs. Its endowment fund model allows it to invest in the community in perpetuity across our funding priorities: Arts & Culture, Children’s Mental Health, Community Development, Education & Literacy, Environment, Health & Social Services, Heritage Preservation, Recreation, and Youth. With over $33.5 million in invested funds held in trust, the Foundation has granted over $14 million to date to over 360 charities. Its Community Grants Program has funded hundreds of local projects that have resulted in meaningful and lasting impact, both small and large, in our community. Website https://cfka.org/ Internship The intern will have the opportunity to support CFKA staff with day-to-day administration and coordination of special projects. The intern will gain an understanding of the core operations and functional role of a Canadian charitable organization, including advancement services, fundraising, communications, donor relations, and finance & operations. They may have the opportunity to work on some or all the following activities: Work under the guidance and supervision of team members to support the day-to-day workflow of the organization and assigned special projects. Maintain office filing system by regularly updating key documents and reorganizing or collating information as and when required. Perform basic data entry functions and prepare documents for distribution. Conduct basic research, perform analysis, and input data. Plan, organize, coordinate, and manage daily assigned work. Assist with critical communications functions.
Community Living Kingston and District Description Community Living Kingston and District (CLKD) is a developmental service organization that supports approximately 750 individuals with an intellectual disability, both children and adults, through nine accredited programs. The organization began in 1953 when parents of disabled children came together to form an Association to provide mutual support, develop services and advocate for a more inclusive community where everyone belongs. That mission and spirit continue to drive the activities of CLKD to this day. Website https://myclkd.ca/ Internship There are a number of strategic priorities and emerging critical issues that would be an appropriate area of focus for the intern from Queen’s. These include, but are not limited to, changes in funding and legislation for particular programs, disability rights issues, developing unique and creative models of service that address crisis situations, collaborating with other sectors such as addictions and mental health, and confronting issues of accessibility and citizenship. The main point of contact for the student will be the Executive Director, although collaboration with other stakeholders (management, staff, parents, persons served, government) will also be part of the learning experience. CLKD is part of a confederation of more than 100 other local Community Living organizations spread across Ontario. Many of the issues that require attention and action have a provincial component, so the work of the intern will likely include broader context learning and may require connecting with others locally, regionally, and beyond. Like all other staff members, students and volunteers, the intern will be contributing to the mission of the organization: To provide support for individuals with an intellectual disability and advocate alongside them so they are welcome, included, and have every opportunity to participate fully in their community with dignity and independence. Special Requirements Police record and vulnerable sector checks for Canada and all other countries of prior residence.
Constituency Office of Member of Parliament Mark Gerretsen Description Mark Gerretsen has been the Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands and a member of the Liberal Caucus since 2015. In 2021 he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons (Senate). He is also currently a member of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Website https://markgerretsen.libparl.ca/ Internship This internship is located at MP Mark Gerretsen’s constituency office, where all activities connecting MP Gerretsen and the House of Commons to the constituents of Kingston and the Islands takes place. The tasks involved in this position would include drafting letters and emails to constituents, drafting remarks for both local and parliamentary events, policy and legislative research related to the federal government, background research on topics of relevance to Kingston and the Islands, helping track bills, and identifying and monitoring specific issues. Special Requirements Police record check for Canada and all other countries of prior residence.

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Frequently asked questions

Please read through these questions and answers carefully before contacting the Internship Coordinator.

Can I arrange my own internship and receive credit for POLS 598?

No, only internships arranged by the Department of Political Studies as part of this program are eligible for POLS 598 credit. Students are welcome to suggest potential partners for the program, but this will not affect the internship application, selection, or allocation procedures. There are no exceptions. For other internship opportunities, please consult the Queen's Career Services website.

When does the program run?

POLS 598 is a course that will be part of its participants' regular course load. The next iteration is in the Winter 2025 term.

Will I receive credit for the internship?

Yes. POLS 598 is a one-term, 3.0 credit course that is graded pass/fail.

How does POLS 598 count in the Political Studies or PPE program?

POLS 598 will generally count as a fourth-year options course, but can also count as a second- or third-year options course. It cannot be used to fulfil any mandatory course requirements.

How many placements are available?

The program currently offers 34 placements across 21 partners. Navigate to the ‘Partners’ tab above for the roster.

Where are the partners located?

All of our partners are based or have offices in Kingston. All but one are either within walking distance of campus or accessible by public transit.

Are the placements in-person?

All placements are either in-person or hybrid in-person and remote. We are not offering all-remote placements at this time, but that may change as the program grows. Note that the character of hybrid placements will vary. Some of our partners are small volunteer organizations that do not have a physical office, so in-person meetings will be less-frequent and may be held at a coffee shop or somewhere similar.

What are the eligibility criteria?

Third or fourth-year Major or Joint Honours in Political Studies, or in the Politics stream of the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics specialization
Minimum 3.3 Grade Point Average (B+) across all completed Political Studies courses
Enthusiastic about gaining practical experience, helping a local organization, and representing Queen’s in the Kingston community

I am a fifth-year student. Can I still apply?

No, the program is only open to third and fourth-year students. Note, however, that this refers to degree-year and not time-in-degree, so some students (such as part-time students and some students who are taking a reduced course load) are eligible even if they have been registered in their degree program for more than four years.

Does experience matter?

No! One of the purposes of this program is to break the ‘you need experience to get experience’ opportunity barrier.

I am an international student who does not have the right to paid employment in Canada. Am I eligible to participate in this program?

Yes! International degree-program students who do not have the right to paid employment in Canada can participate because the internships are unpaid.

I am an exchange student. Am I eligible to participate in this program?

No, only Queen's Major/Joint Honours in Political Studies or Politics-stream PPE students are eligible to apply.

Are there any special requirements for specific partner organizations?

Yes. Some organizations require things such as a police record check (organizations that work with sensitive information or vulnerable clients), immunizations (for Covid-19 in some cases, but other immunizations as well for organizations in the health sector), an oath/affirmation of allegiance to the Crown (some government agencies), or specific language competencies (such as organizations that work in French). Some requirements, such as a police record check, may be more challenging to meet for students who have lived abroad because they are required to provide a record check for both Canada and every other country of past residence. Note also that there are some exemptions to oath/affirmation of allegiance requirements for people who are not Canadian citizens or are Indigenous. Please review the partner descriptions carefully, and do not apply for placements with special requirements that you do not believe you will be able to meet or that you disagree with.

Do I have to submit a police record check or similar requirement with my application?

No, do not apply for a police record check or similar special requirement until it is confirmed that you have a placement and you have discussed the requirements with both the Internship Coordinator and the host organization. The only special requirements that a student must meet before applying are things such as competency in a language other than English and immunizations that require significant time between doses such as Covid-19.

Do I have to pay for special requirements such as a police record check?

This depends on the organization, and the cost will vary with the type and number of requirements. As of May 2024, Kingston Police charges $40 for a record check. Our interns do not qualify for the volunteer exemption because they will receive course credit.

How many hours will I work with the partner organization?

90 hours over the 12-week term, maximum 10 hours per week.

How does the classroom component of the course work?

Students will meet with the Internship Coordinator Dr. Stephen Larin twice at the beginning of term for mandatory orientation, then again for a mid-term check-in, and finally at the end of the term for presentations. Dr. Larin will also be available to meet individually and support each student’s success in the program throughout the term.

Should I contact partner organizations about this program?

No, please do not contact our partners about this program. We don’t want to wear out our welcome in the community, and hundreds of student enquiries will do that. If you are interested in learning more about an organization, visit its website and direct any questions about doing an internship with it to the Internship Coordinator, Dr. Stephen Larin (stephen.larin@queensu.ca). Feel free to contact our partners for other reasons, though, especially if they are looking for volunteers!

How do I apply?

Navigate to the ‘Apply’ tab above for instructions on how to apply.

When is the deadline to apply?

Application for the 2025–26 academic year will open in May 2025 after all of that year's partners are confirmed, with a deadline in late June. Set a reminder for yourself to check back at that time.

How are internships allocated?

Students rank their preferred placements when they apply. The applicants with the highest Grade Point Averages across all completed Political Studies courses will be allocated to partners using a lottery–preference system, similar to how 400-level courses are allocated, until either all of the placements are filled or there are no more applicants who meet the minimum requirements. Navigate to the ‘Apply’ tab above for more information.

When will I be notified of the result of my application?

Successful applicants will be notified within a week of the deadline. If a successful applicant declines the placement that they have been assigned, that person will be removed from the pool and the next person in the GPA ranking will be offered their highest-ranked preference that is still available. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified after all placements have been confirmed.

Do I enrol in the course through SOLUS if am accepted?

No. If your are accepted to the program, the Department will add you to POLS 598 and the Internship Coordinator will contact you with detailed information about things such as course expectations, developing a work plan with your placement supervisor, police record checks, etc.

What is the Internship Agreement?

The Internship Agreement is a contract between you, the partner organization, and the Department of Political Studies. It establishes the rules that will regulate the internship and the work plan that you will follow, and is signed by all three parties. The Internship Agreement must be signed before the internship can begin.

Can I drop POLS 598 after the Internship Agreement has been signed?

Yes, normal drop regulations apply to POLS 598, but we ask that students only apply to the program if they are sure that they want to do an internship, and that they only apply to work with organizations that genuinely interest them. If you drop the course at the last minute, it could be too late to replace you with another student that term, especially if your placement has special requirements.

When do the placements begin?

In most cases placements will begin in the second week of the Winter term, and the cohort will meet for mandatory in-class orientation during the first two weeks of the term.

Why are the internships unpaid?

Many of our partners are small, non-profit organizations that do not have the budget to pay for interns, so there would be fewer placements if the internships were paid. Also, some international students do not have the right to paid employment in Canada but can participate in unpaid internships that are part of their course of study. Students are compensated for their work with experience, the opportunity to develop professional relationships, and course credit.

Who do I contact if I have other questions?

Email the Internship Coordinator Dr. Stephen Larin (stephen.larin@queensu.ca).

How to apply

Before you apply

Review the overview, partner list, and frequently asked questions carefully to ensure that you fully understand the program and its requirements.
If you still have questions after reviewing the web page, contact the Internship Coordinator Dr. Stephen Larin (stephen.larin@queensu.ca).
Calculate your Grade Point Average across all completed Political Studies courses (this is not the same as the term or cumulative GPAs on your transcript; see the instructions below).
Make a numbered list of your preferred placements in order of preference. Only include placements that genuinely interest you.
Update your resume and save it in PDF format. Experience does not affect your eligibility, but if you get an internship you will share your resume with your host organization when you first introduce yourself, and it is important to put your best foot forward. We strongly recommend that you book a Resume Review Appointment with Queen’s Career Services to help you do this.

How to calculate your GPA

To calculate your GPA across all completed Political Studies courses:

Write down the letter grade that you received in each of your completed Political Studies courses. Do not include courses from other departments, even if they qualify as a substitute.
Convert those letter grades to Grade Points using the Arts and Science conversion table (an ‘A-‘ becomes a 3.7, for example). Double the number for POLS 110 because it is a full-year 6.0 credit course, and do the same for POLS 250 if you took it as a full-year course (this applies to students who took POLS 250 before the 2022–23 academic year).
Add all of the Grade Points together, then divide the sum by the number of courses plus one (to account for the doubling of POLS 110; plus two if you took POLS 250 as a full-year course). Round the number to two decimal points. This is your Political Studies GPA, which will be verified after you apply.

Selection procedure

The applicants with the highest Grade Point Averages across all completed Political Studies courses will be allocated to one of their preferred placements using a lottery–preference system, similar to how 400-level courses are allocated. Each student will be allocated to their highest-available preference in a random order: the first student gets their top preference, the second gets theirs if it is still available, but their second preference if not, etc. If none of the placements that a student has listed are available when it is their turn, that student will be removed from the pool. This procedure will continue until either all of the placements have been filled or no more applicants meet the minimum requirements.

Overview

Course

Political work

Eligibility criteria

How to apply

More questions?

Partners

Agnes Etherington Art Centre (Queen’s University)

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario, Conseil régional des Mille-Îles (ACFOMI)

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Cataraqui Conservation

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Citizen Engagement and Ethnocultural Services (Regional Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada)

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Climate Leadership (City of Kingston)

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

CNIB Kingston

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Communications (Regional Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada)

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Community Foundation for Kingston & Area

Description

Website

Internship

Community Living Kingston and District

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Constituency Office of Member of Parliament Mark Gerretsen

Description

Website

Internship

Special Requirements

Frequently asked questions

Can I arrange my own internship and receive credit for POLS 598?

When does the program run?

Will I receive credit for the internship?

How does POLS 598 count in the Political Studies or PPE program?

How many placements are available?

Where are the partners located?

Are the placements in-person?

What are the eligibility criteria?

I am a fifth-year student. Can I still apply?

Does experience matter?

I am an international student who does not have the right to paid employment in Canada. Am I eligible to participate in this program?

I am an exchange student. Am I eligible to participate in this program?

Are there any special requirements for specific partner organizations?

Do I have to submit a police record check or similar requirement with my application?

Do I have to pay for special requirements such as a police record check?

How many hours will I work with the partner organization?

How does the classroom component of the course work?

Should I contact partner organizations about this program?

How do I apply?

When is the deadline to apply?

How are internships allocated?

When will I be notified of the result of my application?