Call for submissions for PIBC-led and Student-led internship proposals is now open!

About the Program

Program Goals

The goals of the program are threefold:

1. Activate student talent and capacity to co-create knowledge/knowledge products that help the profession advance thinking on today's most pressing planning topics.
2. Collaborate with students from accredited planning programs in BC to support PIBC in advancing its strategic priorities through applied research.
3. Foster a safe and engaging learning environment for PIBC Student Members that contributes to their skill and competency development. 

Program Model

Rather than supporting work with narrow benefit to a single partner, the intent of the program is to advance knowledge and action around planning issues that are of broad strategic interest to the PIBC membership. As an internship project may take one of two types (PIBC-led or Student-led), the functions and key responsibilities will vary in some instances by project type as shown below. 

• a PIBC-led project is one that has been identified by PIBC to advance the work of the Institute and the profession. This work may stem from PIBC’s strategic priorities, PIBC committee work or Board/ Administration directive. PIBC-led projects are designed by a PIBC committee and are advertised to seek student applications.
• a Student-led project is one that has been submitted by a student enrolled in an accredited planning program in British Columbia and generally in partnership with a faculty advisor and an external partner. Student-led projects are designed by the student, in collaboration with their academic advisor and an external partner.  

Note: An external partner is an individual or organization that is in addition to a faculty advisor that will provide accountability that the internship proposal meets the objectives of the program and all deliverables are completed within the specified timeframe.  If the external partner is an organization, a representative of that organization is to be named.  An external partner is required to be a member in good standing with PIBC. Examples of an organization include, but are not limited to: First Nation, Local Government; Non-Government Organization, Private Consulting Firm, Provincial Ministry.

Student Eligibility

Students must meet the following criteria*:

1. Students must be enrolled in the one of the following university planning programs: 

• University of British Columbia (School of Community & Regional Planning)
  Program: Master of Community & Regional Planning
• University of Northern British Columbia (School of Planning and Sustainability)
  Program: Bachelor of Planning
• Simon Fraser University (School of Resource & Environmental Management)
  Programs: Master of Resource & Environmental Management (Planning), Bachelor of Environment (Planning)
• Vancouver Island University (Faculty of Social Sciences)
  Program: Master of Community Planning 

2. Student is a PIBC member.  

* The Student Internship Program Committee can waive student eligibility criteria for a PIBC-led internship opportunity, based upon the needs of PIBC and its Committees.

Submission Requirements

• Internship position title: Provide the expected title for the position.
• Internship remuneration: Select remuneration model ($27/hr):
  • Part-time: Semester (4 months, 40 hrs/month)
  • Part-time: Summer (4 months, 40 hrs/month)
  • Part-time: Full year (12 months, 20 hrs/month)
  • Full-time: Summer (12 weeks, 35 hrs/week)
• Project duration: Provide the anticipated start and end date for the project.
• Project description (up to 1000 words): Describe the proposed internship program and how it will help advance knowledge and/or action that is/are of broad strategic interest to planning in Yukon and British Columbia (please be explicit about project objectives, tasks, and expected deliverables).
• Project timeline: Provide a visual timeline for the internship that outlines key tasks and deliverables. Please submit as a table, diagram, or Gantt chart.
• Internship logistics and resourcing (up to 250 words): Describe the expected work conditions and resourcing for an intern, including work location (e.g., in office vs. remote), project duration hours (e.g., total; set hours vs. flexible schedule), and computing resources (e.g., email and file access; computer). If additional financial resources are required to successfully complete your proposed project, please provide a budget for these resources. Indicate whether additional funds have been confirmed and if not, how additional financial resources will be obtained. The Committee will use your budget to assess project feasibility - additional funding for operational expenses are not provided by the Student Internship Program.
  • Student-led: provided by partner organization
  • PIBC-led: provided by PIBC Committee
• Project benefits (up to 250 words): Describe the benefits that you expect to produce as a result of the completion of your internship proposal. Benefits could be related to knowledge production, social impact, or the development of new planning tools and may be specific to the planning profession in Yukon or British Columbia and/or the broader constituencies the profession serves.
• Student supports: Describe the supports that will be put in place during the internship to ensure a successful and positive internship experience. Supports could include, but are not limited to:
  • Frequency and format of mentorship and/or mentorship meetings
  • Workplace and project orientation activities
  • Support finding housing if applicable (financial support not required)
  • Access to professional networks and subject matter experts
• Additional information required for Student-led projects:
  • Student Name & Home Institution
  • PIBC Accredited Student Membership Status
  • Partner Organization Name
  • Name and position of lead within partner organization who will serve as the internship supervisor
  • Letter of partnership from partner organization(s) - one page maximum