The Certificate in Effective Business Practices & Leadership Skills includes the opportunity for students to learn, hands-on, in a 4-month paid internship. Students receive specialized individual coaching and training through their academic courses and professional development activities and are trained to become key assets to any business organization.
How it works
Step 1 – Connect with the Experiential Learning Officer (ELO) regarding the internship program and your organization.
Step 2 – Collaborate with ELO to a) learn whether you qualify for wage subsidies, b) create a job posting and project description, then c) interview and select the best candidate.
Step 3 — Prepare resources your intern will need to succeed. Establish roles, responsibilities and expectations.
Step 4 — Engage the student from the moment their internship kicks off. Assign their reporting manager or supervisor, then support, mentor and guide interns.
Step 5 — Liaise with ELO throughout. Early in the experience, meet with ELO and student for an onsite visit. Later, complete midterm and final evaluations.
Step 6 — Celebrate and network. Please attend the annual UTMM Awards night, where students proudly present on their internship. Meet other available talent and opportunities, networking with different businesses and students.
Benefits for employers
University of Toronto Mississauga Management (UTMM) students have relevant and in-demand skills and knowledge. Featuring six specializations — finance, accounting, marketing, human resource management, commerce, and management — UTMM is well equipped with the right intern(s) to fill your organization’s needs. They’re taught by internationally recognized scholars and educators with outstanding academic and professional qualifications.
UTMM students are culturally competent, collaborative, adaptable, creative, analytical and professional. They are solutions-focused and eager to contribute to their communities and society.
By taking student-interns, you:
- Support your organizational and business needs in the short-term
- Help shape the next generation of professionals
- Expand your existing teams' capacity by delegating
- Build your own talent pipeline of future employees and partners
- Foster dialogue between the University and the larger community
- Promote your organization
- Access financial incentives for hiring students, if eligible
Source: U of T's Experiential Learning Hub
Financial incentives
Learn if your organization is eligible for wage subsidies at the Council of Ontario Universities Propel Initiative. Also, consider these opportunities for support:
- Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages & Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
- SWPP – Magnet
- Canada Summer Jobs
Employer partner expectations and criteria
To give students optimal experiential learning, interested partners’ internships must meet specific criteria:
- Students are required to complete a full-time work opportunity (35-40 hours/per week) lasting between 12 and 16 weeks from May to August.
- Students must be paid by the organization. That requires an employment agreement or contract between your organization and the participating student(s).
- New partners must undergo a vetting process. This will ensure that each opportunity provides an optimal work environment and learning experience for our students.
- A clear job description; if the position will be project-based, please articulate the requirements.
Expectations before internship
- Prepare a job description and project description (if applicable).
- Interview student candidates for the position.
- Liaise with the Experiential Learning Officer (ELO) when necessary.
- Equip students with the materials (physical or electronic), resources, physical space, and/or technology to successfully perform their role.
Expectations during internship
- Student(s) should be assigned a dedicated supervisor or manager. This individual will also liaise between the ELO and Faculty Coordinator.
- Onboard the student to the organization, review organizational culture.
- Clearly articulate, verbally and in writing, expectations, responsibilities, operational and project tasks.
- Guide, mentor, direct, and manage the student(s) during their experience. Provide regular check-ins.
- Complete a midterm and final evaluation regarding the student’s performance using your UTMM-protected link.
- Meet with the ELO during their site-visit.
- Communicate any concerns with the student and UTMM team, if necessary.
- Provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Ensure the workplace is safe and free of harm.
Expectations after internship
Your job is complete, but we want to celebrate this milestone with you and our students! You will be invited to the annual UTMM Awards, the next March at UTM, where students present on their internship. What a great opportunity to re-connect with your student(s) and network with other talent.
Project and position examples
- Volunteer Resources Internship: Liaise with HR team to revise current volunteer job descriptions. Update job descriptions to reflect responsibilities and expectations of potential applicants. Participate in volunteer interviews and new employee orientations.
- Marketing Coordinator: Develop and implement marketing and advertising campaigns.
- Sport Management Intern: Develop and implement various sports programs and new opportunities.
- Accounting Intern: Support tax returns, reconciliations, and financial statements for clients.
- Supply Chain Assistant: Build a management dashboard for Supply Chain, create a manual for all activities related to processes including shipping and receiving, procurement of all goods, and material handling.
- Human Resource Internship: Provide administrative support, assist ongoing projects and operational tasks in the Human Resources Department.
- Recruitment Specialist: Update the recruitment and selection process. Participate in the recruitment process including sourcing talent, performing job analysis, pre-screening candidates, scheduling interviews, etc.
- Communications Internship: Create content for social media channels. Design online marketing strategies.
- Financial Analyst: Assist in valuing and analyzing companies, manage client database, assist in the development of business marketing materials, and write industry-related articles for the website.
UTMM support before, during and after the internship
Here’s how the Faculty Certificate Coordinator and the ELO work with you to encourage a seamless experience for both you and the student(s):
- assist with creating job and project descriptions and provide recommendations for improvement
- explore financial incentives for hiring students
- problem-solve internship-related complexities, and
- support your interview and candidate selection process