Can I apply if I am graduating this year?
The CEI summer internship program is only for students returning to their students in the fall. This is so for two reasons. Firstly, we want you to be able to integrate the summer internship experience into your business studies. This is an important component of our learning model. Secondly, to maintain our charitable status, we must remain an educational program, which necessitates us dealing with full time students. IF YOU ARE GRADUATING, YOU HAVE TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE CONTINUING TO GRADUATE STUDIES AFTER THE SUMMER TO BE ELIGIBLE.

I am not in a business program. Can I still apply?
CEI was founded specifically for management students – to help get them more opportunities in the community sector. There are several other programs available for students from other faculties already. Please look at our “Links of Interest” site for a list of those. Sorry we can not accommodate you just yet.

Can I get credit for the internships?
Although we are in no position to mandate schools to do so, we certainly have experienced students being able to do so in the past. Usually only 1 credit is awarded. Students have organized this themselves with their schools. We encourage you to do so if you can and will help where we can!

How do I apply?
All the applications details are outlined on our web site: we need a letter of intent from you along with your resume. Please DO NOT send your transcripts! We will NOT look at them and it is a bit of a waste of paper for you to send them along.

What year do I have to be in to be eligible?
Since only those returning to their studies are eligible for CEI, we ask that undergraduates be in their 2nd or 3rd year of their program and MBA’s have completed their first.

What is the selection procedure?
Each and every application is reviewed individually by at least two of our board members. Candidates are short-listed based on the quality of letter and their commitment to the sector. We look closely at the fit between a student’s skills and those required for the project. This short list of applicants is sent to the organization and they select those candidates they wish to interview. The final decision for hiring is fully theirs.

How will CEI monitor my internship progress?
We stay in close contact with all interns during their internship. We make site visits – in person – and communicate often through email and telephone. We ask that you also stay in touch with us if there is anything. We are just a phone call away! There is also more formal evaluation procedure, which involved a three step process of you filling out an evaluation form.

Do I need to negotiate with my employer for any clause or CEI will arrange it?
The only flexible points with regards to the project are the start & finish dates. This we feel is best for you to discuss directly with the organization if necessary.
Salary is non negotiable.

Do I need to submit final report to CEI?
Yes – a report that will be forwarded to the funding partner who made your project possible.

How many people do you short-list for each position?
There is no set number. It depends completely on the number of qualified applicants we get!

Are my chances better if I apply for more than one position?
There is a maximum of three positions for which you can apply in one year. The number you apply for does NOT impact your chance on any one. Often one person has been short listed for ore than one position.

If the internship is an international placement, will I have to cover my own transportation?
International postings are special. The salary is dependant on the host country in question. We work with two very renowned international volunteer sending agencies who are experienced in such overseas projects. Transport and lodging is taken care of for you.

If the internship is located in a Canadian city other than the one I live in,
who will cover my transportation & accommodation costs?
Students are responsible for their own accommodation and transportation costs. We purposely do not limit applicants based on geography because so many students study in cities different from their home towns. In the past, interns have also taken this as an opportunity to see a new city in Canada.

Can I apply to the program in consecutive years regardless if I am accepted or not the first year?
You can only be accepted for a CEI internship once.

What if the organization I want to work for is not listed?
Interesting question. Organizations solicit us for the program. Typically we do not work with student initiated projects. We are not set up to do so quite yet. What I suggest you do if you have an organization and project in mind is look at the Labatt People in Action program. They do exactly that – fund students who find themselves projects in the community.

My program requires a 4 month internship, but some of yours are only 3 months. Will I still get credit?
This really depends on your school. We do not issue credits.