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Home > Program > Professional Language Programs > Policies |
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  Policies |
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 THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
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McKinsey Internship Programs are study programs containing in-class and out-of-class study components. The out-of-class study or placement component is a unique aspect of the education program that integrates study with planned and supervised discipline-related work experience. Students are involved as authentic employees receiving academic credit for work experiences which may be part-time or full-time and can be paid or unpaid. An internship exposes the student to an immersion English environment for greater language development, builds the interpersonal relationships required for community and cultural understanding, and trains students’ in essential skills needed in obtaining a successful, satisfying career, for career advancement, or to follow higher education pathways.
To distinguish the internship from short-term job or volunteer work it is important that the work experience be part of the intentional experiential learning strategy of the program with an emphasis on professional development. As part of our “outside the book” philosophy, the internship is intended to better prepare students the world of work or onto further education and training. The community becomes the classroom where students expand knowledge and experience in a practical way and are provided with a frame of reference to review or revise their educational or career goals.
McKinsey internship programs follow the co-op education requirements outlined in the PCTIA Bylaws (2009) which state that the placement “is a required and competitively paid work period within a program of study that alternates periods of study with periods of employment in a formalized sequence beginning with and ending with an academic term” (p. 27). At McKinsey two study components sandwich a single work experience, which effectively provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a context outside of school and to bring back to the classroom new perspectives about their learning.
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| POLICIES AND IMPORTANT NOTES
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POLICIES
All internship program at McKinsey must meet the following four requirements:
1) The pre-internship study period requires a minimum of 3 months of study in business or hospitality with the post-internship component no longer than half of the pre-internship period.
2) The internship component can be no greater than the total classroom period (combining pre and post-internship study periods). Citizenship and Immigration Canada have as a condition for internship programs that “co-op or internship employment cannot form more than 50 percent of the total program of study” (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp).
3) An internship placement must be a minimum 3-month to be a valid experience.
4) Students must complete a minimum of 1 month post internship studies.
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IMPORTANT NOTES
1. Internship programs
An internship program is NOT an open work program. Students should not expect any flexibility in working outside of the approved and scheduled working experience scheduled in their approved program. Any violation of this may result in immediate dismissal from the program. A very detailed student contract for internships must be signed
An internship program is NOT an immigration program. However, Citizenship and Immigration Canada have recently acknowledged that international students may come to Canada with Dual Intent; an intention to study with a second intention to apply for permanent residency. This “dual intent” is not grounds for refusal. Section 22(2) of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) states;
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“An intention by a foreign national to become a permanent resident does not preclude them from becoming a temporary resident if the officer is satisfied that they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay” (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/institutions/intent.asp). |
Important note: McKinsey is an educational institution and as such focuses on study programs. We cannot provide expertise in assisting you with permanent residency and must follow strict industry guidelines for our programs.
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2. Eligibility
Prior to coming to Canada, students must register and be accepted into one of McKinsey Internship programs. McKinsey is responsible for ensuring that specific requirements are met by potential candidates before acceptance.
Important note: Registration does not automatically mean acceptance.
All applicants must be the age of majority in the province they will study and will be required to pass an online test, to have a phone interview, and to read and sign an internship contract prior to being accepted. It is recommended, as well, for students to have a university degree and some prior work experience, but it is not required.
Following acceptance to the program, students will be required to apply for a study visa for the program from the Canadian Embassy. Applications can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp.
McKinsey will supply the three documents required by CIC for a student visa application: 1) a letter of acceptance to the program, 2) a detailed program description outlining your intended program of study, and 3) a letter certifying that the internship is an essential part of the study program.
Important note: Submitting required documentation does not guarantee that a study visa will automatically be issued. Immigration officers will assess applications on an individual basis and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the application is truthfully and completely submitted.
The C-30 work permit for co-op and internship programs can be applied for at the same time as the study visa or later from within Canada as the internship period gets closer.
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3.
Placement Process
Beginning in the first week, students will be introduced and have a meeting with the Internship Coordinator and together will work to create an Individual Program Outline indicating key dates and processes as they work towards the placement date. This will be reviewed regularly and there will be many opportunities to discuss academic progress and the placement.
Important note: Academic achievement and attendance have to be maintained before a placement will be offered. Delays in placement or a suspension of work experience may occur.
As the internship period approaches the Internship Coordinator will coordinate the C-30 work visa and Social Insurance Number applications, assist in developing a resume, cover letter and help practice interviewing skills. Students will attend job search workshops, hunt through McKinsey job databases, and go to job fairs. Interviews will proceed until a suitable position is secured. .
Before going out on the placement, students will develop a training plan to include a schedule for regular performance reviews, language assessments, and reflective journaling submissions. The Internship Coordinator will also go through the evaluation criteria for placements. Standards for assessing and evaluating the internship have been taken from the Program Guide for Ministry Authorized Work-Experience Courses (Ministry of Education, 2009).
Important note: Academic assignments will need to be submitted during the work experience and will reflect 25% of the program’s final grade.
The following strategies will be included to support the student during the internship period and to assess the internship for academic credit:
• Regular debriefings meeting between student and the Internship Coordinator
• Regular performance assessments from the Supervisor at the site on attendance,
following directions, development of workplace skills, progress on the training plan,
and concerns
• Work-site visits by the Internship Coordinator.
• Reflective journal submissions, research assignments, and language assessments completed by student
• Completion meeting with the student, Supervisor, and Coordinator
• Final evaluations by Supervisor and Coordinator will be added to the students’ work for an academic grade of the internship.
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4.
Placement Process
One of the primary goals of the placement is to provide students the opportunity to develop language skills in a practical immersion environment. Another of the primary goals is for the placement to be relevant to the area of study at McKinsey College, in a Business or Hospitality setting. Subsequently, placements will then take into consideration students’ prior education, training, skills, and abilities.
Internship Coordinators work with their students to find a suitable placement. However, McKinsey can never guarantee a specific job, a specific industry or company, or a specific position to anyone. Although limited, there are times, both resulting in students not being placed as scheduled, when students have refused positions offered or when job markets have become restricted in particular fields. In the second case, McKinsey will attempt to find a placement in a related field as quickly as possible to prevent any program delays.
Important note: Every effort will be made to place all students. However, McKinsey cannot guarantee a specific job, industry or company, or position to anyone. Internship positions are often entry level positions.
McKinsey attempts to arrange all placements internally with existing partners. But, there are times that a placement agency may assist in finding a placement, or even when new partners or host companies have to be found. In both cases, our Internship Coordinators will ensure that the position meets expectations and standards for partners and that a suitable supervisor is available to monitor and report on students’ progress.
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