KI opportunities

We've collected here some great opportunities that are of interest to Knowledge Integration students!

GreenHouse social impact incubator

Do you want to change the world? Many of our GreenHouse innovators are making an impact: From saving thousands of lives in Ugandan maternal health wards, to changing corporate practices, to competing for $1 million in the world's largest social entrepreneurship challenge.

Whether you want to make a difference but don't know where to start, or you have an idea and need support to make it happen, or you have a passion but no idea, GreenHouse will help you find the right direction. Join our community of social innovators today.

GreenHouse is at St. Paul's University College, affiliated with University of Waterloo and located on its main campus.

Zero Experience innovation and impact programs

Solve problems affecting millions of people, network with international innovators, and transform your ideas into reality. Join peers to problem-solve the world’s biggest issues, meet expert innovators, and learn what impact you can make. Tackle billion-dollar problems, ideate creative solutions, meet industry leaders, and start leaving a mark!

No prior experience required: Zero Experience run by Concept experiential innovation hub at the University of Waterloo

Beyond Borders program

Beyond Borders is an academically centered international service-learning experience at St. Jerome’s University. The program consists of two terms of on-campus course work and a 90-day placement abroad. Beyond Borders is the capstone experience in international service learning that takes upper year students out of their comfort zone and into the world. Students can use their Beyond Borders international volunteer placement as a co-op work term or as their international experience for the Global Experience Certificate.

KI students have participated in this program and found it to be a very valuable experience, and two KI alumni have worked to coordinate this program!

Redfish School of Change

The Redfish School of Change is a non-profit program designed for people who want to lead the way in creating ecological sustainability and social equity in their communities. Each student enters the program with a proposed Community Action Project (CAP) that they develop during the course of our unique field experience, and then work to implement after the program is over.

KI student have participated in the Redfish School of change and they had very valuable experiences, and one of our KI alumni has taught in Redfish.

Applications are usually due in early February each year, and the program runs in the summer in coastal communities in British Columbia and Washington State.

UROP International: research internships at RWTH Aachen University

UROP International is designed for students from North American universities who wish to gain research experience by conducting research projects at RWTH Aachen University in Aachen Germany. It takes place during a ten-week research summer school.

Several KI students have already done this program and they all had a very valuable experience.

Applications are due mid-January each year, but **first apply through the University of Waterloo global learning opportunities coordinators** so that you will qualify to be considered for any scholarships that RWTH has for UW students.

RBC Amplify Program

KI students have participated in this summer innovation program, and kickstarted their careers! RBC Amplify Program

Bell Graduate Leadership Programs & Summer Internships

The Leadership Development folks at Bell contacted us because they had a great KI student working for them, and they asked us to help them connect to more KI students to join their team!

Read more about details and deadlines on the Bell Graduate Leadership Programs & Summer Internships website

Bridgeable Designerships

The folks at Bridgeable, a Toronto-based strategic and service design company, are friends of Knowledge Integration and are interested in KI students and recent grads connecting with them.

Bridgeable Designerships run from May to the end of August, and is a full-time, paid program for students interested in applying their skills to real systemic design challenges in a social impact project.

Explore French Language Program

Explore is a five-week intensive language-immersion program. You can take the program in the spring or summer, whichever you prefer. Participants in Explore receive a bursary (taxable income) that covers tuition fees for the programs, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other mandatory activities. Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Enjoy five weeks of learning and adventure, friendship and discovery!

Many KI students have participated in Explore and had great experiences.

Applications are available in the Fall each year, and the deadline to apply is in February.

Research Entrepreneurs Accelerating Prosperity (REAP)

Research Entrepreneurs Accelerating Prosperity (REAP) sparks creative minds to explore the latest interactive, machine-to-machine, and digital display technologies, challenging students to build innovative business opportunities on top of our partners’  technologies.

"We hire our REAPsters on a semester based system – meaning we do our hiring in September, January, and April. However, we accept applications at any time, and there are many ways to get involved with REAP."

Canada Summer Jobs

Canada Summer Jobs is a federal government program that gives funding to employers to help them create quality jobs for young Canadians. These opportunities are advertised on Job Bank to help more young Canadians find them and apply.

Here's what  KI student said: "I've had a government-funded Canada Summer Job the past 4 summers and you get paid the same as a regular student job, and you as a KI student will have an advantage in getting hired over others and you gain relevant work experience."

Ontario Internship Program

The Ontario Government's Ontario Internship Program invests in committed, talented graduates seeking a great opportunity to start and accelerate their careers. It's a paid developmental opportunity to grow top talent while delivering important public services to the people of Ontario.

Individuals who have graduated or will graduate with a recognized degree, postgraduate certificate or diploma during the last two years may apply. Some applicants may apply within 5 years of graduation.

KI grads have participated in this and found it a very valuable experience.

Ontario Legislature Internship Programme

Ready to kick start your career by gaining practical experience working for Members of the Provincial Parliament? Would you like to supplement your university education by writing and presenting an academic paper at the Canadian Political Science Association’s yearly conference? Do you want to take part in comparative study tours to various legislatures in Canada, and abroad?

The Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP) is a paid non-partisan programme which offers recent Canadian university graduates a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the inner workings of Ontario politics. During the ten-month programme, Interns gain practical experience working for backbench Members of the Provincial Parliament from both the government, and the opposition parties. Interns are responsible for completing a variety of tasks for their Member including, but not limited to, drafting Private Member’s Bills, responding to constituent correspondence, writing speeches, and attending meetings with Ontario’s key decision makers.

A KI grad has participated in this and had a very valuable experience and recommends it to the KI community.

Applications usually due at the end of January, check the OLIP website for details.

WaterlooWorks: Summer, part-time, volunteer, work placements

Summer, part-time, volunteer and work placement positions received by the Centre for Career Action are available online to all University of Waterloo students via WaterlooWorks.

Waterloo Residences

Waterloo Residences Jobs & Leadership provides a variety of opportunities for you to get involved and build your skills as well a chance to collect a pay cheque and prepare for your future career.

University of Waterloo Library

Work for the Library! Part-time employment opportunities are available at our main branch libraries for full-time registered students. 

Work with the Warriors

There are many employment & volunteering opportunities within Athletics and Recreation. Working with the Warrior is a perfect way to get involved and meet other UWaterloo students who share the same passion. Employment ranges from refereeing intramural programs to teaching fitness classes to working with one of our varsity teams. Whatever your interest is, we have a job for you.