Wilson Internships
The L.R. Wilson Internships provide students in ĢƵ's Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) program with an opportunity to gain valuable experience working as a summer intern in an organization with a public policy or public service focus.
Each year up to three students are selected through a competitive process. Students who are in their third year at the time of the application will be given priority in the selection process.
» Find out more about how to apply for a Wilson Internship
Examples of recent internships
Nathan Lane
Interned in the office of New Brunswick MLA David Hickey, meeting with and assisting constituents and supporting the MLA at key meetings. “I really appreciate the funding that made my summer internship possible. Because of it, I was able to have an experience that I enjoyed while learning about possible career paths that complemented my ĢƵ degree. I also felt that I was able to contribute to the community, which was very rewarding and gave me a great sense of purpose.”
Lucas Orfanides
Interned with the Canadian Bankers Association. “A huge thank you to the donors. This internship gave me invaluable exposure to public policy, helped refine my career goals, and provided real-world experience in an organization that plays a central role in Canada’s financial system. Most importantly, it gave me the chance to contribute directly to meaningful work, from research that can guide policymakers on issues of financial stability to public initiatives that protect seniors and strengthen financial literacy.”
Rebecca Wolf Gage
Interned in the office of MP Elizabeth May. “My internship with MP May was foundational to my development as a PPE student. Throughout the summer, I contributed to a wide range of responsibilities, from engaging with constituents and drafting correspondence to assisting with research on policy issues. Every week brought new opportunities to learn and contribute, and I took pride in helping the office stay responsive and connected to the community. This experience not only deepened my appreciation for public service but also reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing a career where I can bridge policy, law, and community engagement.”
Bridget Powning
Collaborated with Community Forests International, an environmental forestry group, on a project that combined Powning’s research abilities as a PPE student and artistic talents as a sculptor. “I am so grateful that I have been able to access funding to do things that are closely tied to my interests and aspirations. There are not very many summer job opportunities that allow me to combine all three of my academic areas in PPE with environmentalism and art.” Powning is interested in pursuing a career in environmental law.
Lucas Reynolds
Interned with NB Media Co-op, an independent media organization in New Brunswick, where Reynolds worked as a journalist. “The appreciation I now have for New Brunswick and journalism in general is something I will bring with me throughout my life. If my reporting played any part in helping New Brunswickers, it is only because of the opportunity this internship gave me.”
Liam Clark-Black
Business development intern with the Halifax Tides FC. “I’ve loved competitive sports since I was four years old, and I realized a couple years ago I wanted to turn that passion into my career. As a PPE student, I think I’m very well prepared to thrive in a variety of different work environments, and I was eager for the opportunity to help rally the community around the first ever professional women’s soccer team in Atlantic Canada.”
The first Wilson Intern
Claire Henderson-Hamilton received the first Wilson Internship in 2015.
Claire interned with Inter Pares, an Ottawa-based NGO dedicated to social justice issues. Over the summer, she was tasked with enriching Inter Pares’ institutional memory. This involved conducting interviews with former and current staff, and reviewing 40 years of archives and files.
Her research was compiled in a database, making it easier for Inter Pares to continue learning from past projects. As a result of her interest in this work, she wrote a paper about how Inter Pares chooses, from the seemingly endless possibilities, which projects to support in which countries. Read more in the Fall 2015 issue of the Record.
More articles about past Wilson Interns and their experiences
- 5Q with Rebekah Howlett — 2018 L.R. Wilson Intern with the Government of Nova Scotia's Department of Business
- 5Q with Daniel Gold — 2018 L.R. Wilson Intern with the Government of Canada's Department of Finance
- 2017 L. R. Wilson Interns Grant Benjamin, Diane Ortiz-MacLeod and Tierra Stokes.
- 2016 L. R. Wilson Interns Danica Garner and Daniel Michaelis-Law.
Where are they now?
Our Wilson Interns have graduated to interesting opportunities after their time with us at ĢƵ.
- Graduate programs in public policy, politics, economics, etc. at Queens, UofT, etc.
- Professional programs, such as JDs and MBAs at Dalhousie and McGill
- Work with government organizations such as Policy Horizons, Natural Resources Canada, the Ministry of Defence, etc.
- Work with NGOs like Organic Alberta and the Conceil Provincial des Societés Culturelles, NB
We think that this is just the beginning and that the list of possibilities is long and interesting.
Atlantic Undergraduate Policy Case Competition (AUPCC)
The Atlantic Undergraduate Policy Case Competition (AUPCC) is an inter-university case competition designed to get students from across Atlantic Canada interested and involved in the policy-making process. Participants will spend their time researching policy options, developing clear recommendations, devising actionable implementation strategies, and delivering persuasive arguments to judges.
2025 AUPCC
The is organized by a team of undergraduate students, in conjunction with the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and will take place on Nov. 7–8, 2025, at Mulroney Hall on the St. Francis Xavier University Campus (StFX).