The Canadian Institute of Planners / Canadian International Development Agency (CIP/CIDA) WorldLink International Internship offers recent graduates the opportunity to gain valuable overseas work experience in the planning field. WorldLink's objectives include the following:

• Provide Canadian planning graduates with practical, professional, and paid experience in an international project environment 
  
• Increase the level of interest, amongst students and graduates, in a career in international planning 
• Contribute to building a core of professional planners with skills and experience suited for careers in international planning
  

Internships tend to last about six months, and can be applied toward log-book requirements for full CIP membership. Working in partnership with other Canadian and private and non-profit organizations, the WorldLink Program has successuflly placed more than 60 recent graduates in internship positions in 20 countries the world over.

For the program year 2003-2004, CIp is seeking applications for six placements, two in Brazil and one each in Vietnam, Trinidad, Guyana and Argentina. For eligbility criteria and up-to-date information about internship placements for 2003-2004, visit the CIP Web site at: www.cip-icu.ca/English/international/worldlink.htm or email: worldlink@cip-icu.ca.

WorldLink is intended t provide entry-level professional work experience to individuals interested in launching a career in international planning.

The Program offers fifteen planners with a structured six-month work experience with participating private sector companies, public institutions and non-governmental organizations active in international planning. Experience gained during the internship will be applied towards requirements for full membership in CIP. The Program will offer funding towards the cost of each 6-month internship position.

In addition to project activities taking place in Canada, interns may also be placed overseas. Interns will be provided with active career development and job search assistance during and after their participation in the Program. CIP will assume primary responsibility for these activities, which will include guided self-evaluation, workshops, networking opportunities, and promotion of intern experiences.

Interns and employers will be expected to contribute to Program evaluation activities. Interns will be required to prepare and submit an initial self-evaluation of personal and career goals, and a final internship evaluation. Employers will be expected to respond to requests by WorldLink for information relevant to evaluation of the Program.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PROSPECTIVE INTERNS

• Canadian citizen or land immigrant or eligible to work in Canada (including NAFTA eligibility)
• Should be under 30 years of age
• Graduate of, or about to graduate from, a recognized degree program in planning or a program related to planning
• Member of CIP or have initiated an application for membership
• Strong ability to work independently
• Be willing to live in a developing country for a period of up to six months

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS

• Employers can be either private companies, public institutions or non-governmental
• Organizations, including post-secondary educational institutions
• Demonstrated ability to provide entry-level professional planning job experience
• At least one employee should be a member of CIP

TYPES OF INTERNSHIPS NOT FUNDED UNDER THIS PROGRAM

• internship activities not related to a country or territory eligible for CIDA assistance
• internship of a total duration of less than 6 months
• intern work experience unrelated to professional planning
• internship which is an academic pre-requisite towards a degree
• internship already being funded by a government program under the Youth Employment Strategy
• any work relating to political advocacy in Canada or abroad

APPLICATIONS - INTERNS

1. Confirm your eligibility for the Internship Program
2. Register with CIP in order to receive Program information and notification of Internship placement opportunities. Internship placements will be advertised using several media: posted on CIP's website, emailed to all accredited Canadian planning schools and CIP affiliates, and forwarded to all registered individuals.
3. Respond to advertised internship opportunities by submitting a resume to CIP.
   Resumes should be provided to CIP ONLY in response to advertised internship opportunities.
   Resumes must make reference to an advertised internship opportunity.
   Resume and cover letter should adhere to the suggested format.
   Resumes will NOT be kept on file.
4. CIP will select and contact each intern included on a shortlist of candidates for each internship placement
5. The employer will select and contact the successful candidate
6. Successful candidates will enter into formal agreements with their employer

APPLICATIONS – EMPLOYERS

Companies and organizations interested in placing one or more interns should,

1. Confirm your eligibility as an Internship Employer
2. Submit a one-page form to the offices of CIP. This form serves as an expression of interest, and includes company/organization information and a brief description of the proposed internship.
   Forms are available through CIP's website, or upon request from CIP.
   Forms can be submitted on-line, by email or by fax
3. Within two working days of receiving an Expression of Interest, CIP will contact your company/organization in order to clarify any questions and to initiate an Agreement.
4. CIP will assist with recruitment by forwarding an electronic ad to the Internship Program Network, comprising all Canadian accredited Planning programs, CIP affiliates, and individuals registered with CIP. Prospective interns will provide CIP with their resumes.
5. Your company/organization selects the successful candidate from a shortlist provided by CIP. (Companies/organizations not relying on the CIP shortlist will inform CIP of their choice prior to final selection.)
6. Enter into a written agreement with the selected intern
7. Enter into a written agreement with CIP
8. Internship Program funds will be made available following review and approval of the agreements by CIP.