The Consulate General of Canada in New York's work experience program provides post-secondary students with an opportunity to be involved in and develop an understanding of the Canada-U.S. bilateral relationship. Work Experience Program participants may be asked to: perform research, draft reports, assist with event management, support services rendered, or other various tasks. The spring semester program is intended to be a valuable educational experience which provides skills and knowledge for personal and professional growth.

All participants will be paid at the rate of USD$21.51/hr. All participants will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. The Consulate General operates on a typical schedule of 9 A.M.-5 P.M., Monday through Friday.

 

Participants will work with either the Consulate’s political, cultural and public affairs team (FPDS team) or its business development team (IBD team) and are invited to express their preference upon application. Descriptions of the type of work that each section does can be found below.

 

 

The Work Experience Program is open to Canadian and U.S. citizens who are currently post-secondary students at a U.S. institution in the Consulate General’s territory (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware). Canadian students must already have, or must be able to independently and promptly obtain, a visa/work authorization status that allows them to work at the Consulate General. The Consulate General does not sponsor participants with regard to immigration matters.

 

Applicants must be enrolled in a program of full-time study at an accredited U.S. university or college. Students may receive credits at their academic institution for completing the program.

 

The Consulate General does not provide medical insurance to participants; participants must therefore arrange for coverage through his or her school or parents, or purchase an individual plan for the duration of the work experience.

 

Selected candidates must complete a reliability screening before serving at the Consulate General, which can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks.

 

Spring: January-mid-May 2022 (The Consulate General is currently accepting applications for this session.)

Summer: Mid-May-August

Fall: September-December

 

To be considered for the program, applicants must submit a complete application to rsvp.ny@international.gc.ca and mention ‘Work Experience Program’ in the subject line by Friday, November 30th, which requires the following documents:

 

(PDF format preferred)

 

The letter of interest (1 page) should state why you are interested in working at the Consulate General, and why you feel you meet the requirements of the work experience program. Also, the letter should indicate the section within the consulate that most interests you. (PDF format preferred)

 

 

Two references – at least one professional – should be offered, listing the full name, phone number, email, and relation to the applicant for each. (PDF preferred)

 

For Canadian citizens – A copy of a valid Canadian passport or citizenship card is required. The candidate must be able to demonstrate their status in the U.S. when applying, either by providing a copy of their Canadian passport, visa, and work authorization with their application, or by explaining the likely timeframe for receipt of work authorization if they are ultimately offered a position.

 

(For information: the majority of Canadian students who participate in the work experience program at the Consulate General have either Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) as the work authorization on their F-1 student visa, if their chosen field of study is related directly to this work experience.)

 

Only complete applications will be considered. The Consulate General prioritizes an approach that is diverse and inclusive. Consideration will be given to candidates who self-identify as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous Peoples, People with disabilities, Visible Minorities, and Women.

 

Applicants selected for phone interviews will be contacted by the Consulate General within one week of the application deadline.

 

 

 

Participants are responsible for their own accommodations, commuting, and other basic expenses.

 

The Consulate General does not provide travel insurance to participants. Participants may wish to consider making their own arrangements for coverage. 

 

 

 

Due to the large number of issues that the Consulate General deals with, organizational skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize one’s work are highly important. Participants should be adaptable and willing to become familiar with new files as they arise. Participants should also expect to take on basic administrative and bureaucratic work to assist the Consulate General throughout the program as needed. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required. Although neither are necessary, general knowledge of Canadian and/or U.S. foreign policy and economic issues writ large would be an asset, as would fluency in French.

 

Participants will assist with monitoring, researching, reporting, and advocacy activities related to leading issues:

 

·          Trade Policy, Economic Competitiveness – market access for Canadian products/services in the U.S., labor relations, monitoring trade policy discussions

·        Energy, Climate Change, Environment – all resource sectors (oil, natural gas, renewables, nuclear), climate (greenhouse gas emission reduction, resiliency, sustainable economy), and environment (water, air, land, wildlife).

 

·        Foreign Policy, Security and Defense – the broad Canada-U.S. defence relationship, general international security trends and issues (e.g., cybersecurity, anti-radicalization efforts), U.S. foreign policy developments.

Participants will work in one of the media capitals of the world, assisting in implementing advocacy and outreach strategies through data analysis, research, social media activities, photography, graphic and digital design, website development/management, print materials creation and distribution, and audio/video production.

 

 

The International Business Development section is a dynamic team focused on reinforcing the Canada-U.S. commercial relationship through exports and foreign direct investment in the Life Sciences, Culture and Creative industries, Innovation, Technology, Infrastructure, and Energy sectors. The team also manages three Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTA), in Digital Tech, Health IT, and CleanTech, supporting the success of Canadian high-growth, innovative, tech companies. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in supporting research, event, and program coordination activities that service early stage technology companies and investors Participants will gain a unique understanding of the Canada-U.S. bilateral trade strategy and relationship. Responsibilities include:

 

·        Gathering market intelligence to produce actionable insights

 

·        Delivering strategic assessments on companies at various stages of maturity, from start-ups that have not yet passed their Series A to established, global companies

 

·        Tracking policies and legislation related to IBD priority sectors

 

·        Providing support in business development, on an ad hoc basis, which may include identifying leads, due diligence, building relationships with U.S. industry, and attending meetings

 

·        Provide support to the Canadian Technology Accelerator program

 

·        Gaining exposure to how management teams of emerging companies make strategic, financial and sales management decisions