Philosophers do Internships

Where and when did you do your internship and what did you do as an intern?

I held a position at the Esker Foundation, a community partner of the Calgary Institute for the Humanities (CIH). I applied for this role through the CIH Public Humanities Fellowship, and CIH selected me to work with Esker. The internship term spanned from mid-January 2024 to September. In January, the fellows attended a seminar series on public humanities to prepare. The actual internship began in mid-May and concluded in mid-August, with the final presentations scheduled for late September.

Throughout the internship, I assisted two staff members in organizing events and workshops in conjunction with the main exhibitions. For my final project, I organized a workshop for families and individuals aged 15 and older to create art together. The workshop, titled Assemblage Art Workshop: Found Objects and History, invites participants to explore the artistic potential of repurposing discarded items. Attendees learn about assemblage and how everyday objects can be transformed into meaningful art. The workshop includes a presentation on the significance of ideas in art and how these can be creatively expressed through found materials, allowing participants to create unique artworks inspired by personal history and memory.

How did you find out about or generate the opportunity to do the internship?

I received an email from my GPD, who forwarded an announcement from the CIH about the Public Humanities Fellowship to all students. I discussed this opportunity with another student who had completed a Transformative Talent Internship (TTI), recognizing it as a valuable way to gain work experience outside of academia and potentially improve job prospects after graduation.

Did you find that doing the internship was useful? What did you get out of it?

My research is on the philosophy of art. I am interested in working in the art world, and the internship provided me with insight into how a gallery operates. I also had the chance to talk to other staff members at the foundation, learning about their educational backgrounds and how they secured their positions.

Did you get paid? How much and by whom? 

The total payment for the internship was approximately $ 10,000, with the term extending from mid-January to September. During this time, we attended a public humanities seminar series in January, began the actual internship in mid-May, and concluded in mid-August, with final presentations in late September. I received about $3,000 from the CIH in February. During the actual placement at the Esker Foundation, from May to August, the Faculty of Graduate Studies provided $1,200 per month in TTI Top-Up scholarship, totaling $4,800. I also received a tuition reimbursement of $1,838.56 for the Spring and Summer terms of the internship. After I completed the INTE course (part of the TTI Advance D2L program), I received a completion award scholarship of $500 in September.

What should a grad student interested in doing an internship know that you wish someone had told you before you applied or did it?

The organization, mentor, and job description play a significant role in the success of the internship and the skills you gain. 

I was a bit unlucky in that the person with experience mentoring previous interns at the Esker had just left. I recommend planning ahead, choosing an organization that aligns with your research or career goals, and discussing your project ideas with the staff before starting. This helps set expectations and allows the organization to better support your project.