Students are required to complete a summer policy internship between the first and second year of study. Under faculty supervision, the internship allows students to apply their knowledge to significant problems in the public, private or non-profit sectors and provides students the opportunity to develop and enhance skills in areas of professional interest. The internship helps students clarify their career direction, gives perspective on classroom learning, and assists students in gaining experience and establishing networks of great value in securing employment after graduation.

Internships are paid work experiences that relate to any aspect of policy planning, analysis, decision-making and implementation. The Public Policy Career Services team work individually with students to help identify and secure internships that fit each student’s career goals. Upon completion of the internship, each student submits a written research report to their faculty advisor providing an original analysis of the policy and/or organizational issues dealt with during the internship.

Summer Internship (May –Aug)

• Internships are a minimum of 10 weeks, with the average being 15 weeks
• Opportunities with federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as international organizations, think-tanks, private sector, and not-for-profits
• Students are paired with a faculty advisor who will help them maximize their internship learning and development

First Year MPP students are supported by a dedicated Career Services team who:

1. Advertises internship opportunities for MPP1 students (over 400 internships from Nov 2021 – May 2022)
2. Provides access to a policy-focused online Career Resources Website and Job Posting Portal
3. Delivers Professional Development Workshops on various topics, including Resumes & Cover Letters, interviews, Networking, LinkedIn, Briefing Notes, Microsoft Excel, Behavioural Insights, Public Consultation, and Public Speaking.
4. Offers one-on-one Internship Advising, Internship Search Strategy and Interview Prep Meetings
5. Develops and maintains employer relationships to connect students to internships in a range of policy sectors
6. Connects students with the Alumni Contacts Database for Networking (over 700+ MPP alumni)
7. Organizes networking events & trips, including the first-year MPP Ottawa Trip, Career Exploration Days, and Employer Information Sessions.

• Researches and collects various sources of information (e.g., legislation, regulations, policies and programs in other jurisdictions, environmental scans, surveys) to support policy and program development
• Analyzes and evaluates policy/program information and data, using quantitative analysis to synthesize data, identifies issues and trends, and prepares analytical and statistical reports, for review/action
• Under guidance, prepares a range of draft analyses, and policy/program reports, such as options papers, briefing notes, contentious issues reports, and briefing materials for use by senior management
• Liaises with other branches to discuss research and exchange information, and responds to inquiries from other branches, levels of government, community groups and agencies
• Prepares correspondence, information, presentations, and question and answer packages and materials for internal and external purposes to communicate policy/program changes

The professional development workshops for first-year students focus on the internship search. Workshops include resume and cover letter writing, interview, and communications for public policy professionals.

The sessions for second-year students focus on the job search process and include networking sessions in both Toronto and Ottawa.

Both cohorts participate in data analysis and visualization sessions, public consultations, Microsoft Excel, and financial accounting.  .

Check out the sessions that were offered during the 2022 Professional Development Week for both first year and second year MPP students.

Second-year MPP2 students are supported by a dedicated Career Services team who:

• Advertises full-time Job Postings (over 400 job postings from Sept 2020 -Aug 2021)
• Provides access to a policy-focused online Career Resources Website
• Offers one-on-one Career Advising, Job Search Strategy and Interview Prep Meetings
• Delivers Professional Development Workshops on a range of topics including Job Search Strategies, LinkedIn, Change Management, Microsoft Excel, Behavioural Insights, Public Consultation, Financial Accounting, and Digital Governance.
• Develops and maintains employer relationships, with the goal of connecting students to jobs.
• Connects students with the Alumni Contacts Database for Networking (over 700+ MPP alumni)
• Organizes networking events & trips (i.e. Speed Networking Session, Second-year MPP Ottawa Trip)

• Policy Analyst
• Manager, Issues & Reputation Management
• Press Secretary
• Behavioural Insights Researcher
• Research Analyst
• Senior Consultant, Cyber Threat Intelligence
• Government Relations and Public Affairs Manager
• Legislative Assistant
• Senior Economic Analyst
• Consultant, UN
• Senior Policy and Research Officer
• Economist
• Where else are some of our recent graduates working? View recent grads
• Where are MPP alumni making an impact? View alumni