Employer Guide

Thank you for your interest

What Does U of T Expect of the Employer?

Our expectation of the employer is that he or she will provide the student with a project (or a variety of projects) to work on. The project might be specifically designed for the individual student, or the student might be given a role in an ongoing project. In some cases the employer will need to provide a physical place for the student to work (an office or a desk). In all cases the employer will need to spend some time orienting the student to the nature and requirements of the project, and monitoring the student's efforts. The students want to make a contribution to the enterprise. They thrive on challenge and encouragement.

The employer will be asked to write a letter of agreement that acknowledges that the student has been selected for the internship position and that briefly outlines the kinds of work the student will be involved in. In addition, the employer must sign a "work/education placement agreement" form, so that students receive the appropriate insurance coverage while on the job. (The cost and administration of insurance is covered by the University of Toronto and by the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training.). Finally, at the end of the internship, the employer will be asked to write a letter that assesses the student's performance on the job; this will, in part, direct the student's mark for the course.

What Are the Benefits to the Employer?

In exchange for the commitment to provide a project and a work environment for the student, the employer will receive 100 to 200 hours of work from a University of Toronto undergraduate student majoring or specializing in Communication, Culture and Information Technology. We hope that students will use these hours to make a real contribution to the ongoing work of the organization.

Employers will also have an opportunity to assess the qualifications of University of Toronto near-graduates. The University of Toronto at Mississauga is very interested in fostering working relationships with members of our community outside academia; there are many potential mutual benefits to such relationships. Some of the employers involved in this course are long-time friends of UTM; others are joining us for the first time. We are very appreciative of the efforts of all of these participants. Without their contributions, a course like this simply would not be possible.

For further information, please contact:

Tracy Bowen
Internship Coordinator
tbowen@utm.utoronto.ca