The Applied Research and Innovation Certificate training program is comprised of part-time and full-time internships with Selkirk Innovates, providing 420 hours of experiential learning focused on addressing real-world challenges through applied research. Each internship provides technical and professional, on-the-job skills training. Faculty provide interns with discipline-specific advisory and mentorship support. Learners are provided with the opportunity to engage in applied research focused on addressing partner needs. Interns work with their faculty advisor and external partner(s) to scope projects, undertake applied research, and provide agreed upon deliverables to partners (e.g., research report, 3D printed prototypes, development of a new/revised data analytic pipeline). Pending grant and partner funding, paid internships may be offered through an ‘earn while you learn’ competitive and hiring process.
Students also engage in ongoing learning seminars, networking and knowledge dissemination opportunities, and are encouraged to cross-pollinate ideas with interns from other research groups and engage in interdisciplinary research.
Student learning will be evaluated through self-assessment, faculty assessment and external partner assessment according to the following learning outcomes:
- Student is competent for autonomous, responsible and ethical practice
- Student works with other people effectively, fairly and cross culturally
- Student uses information in judicious ways for specific work-related purposes
- Student is willing to continue to learn to improve practice and is able to identify areas for self-improvement
- Student integrates theory and practice
- Student has confidence and self awareness to seek and gain employment in a job market.
Research interns, in consultation with their advisor, must fulfill the following requirements to earn their certificate of completion:
- Minimum 420 hours of time-tracked Selkirk Innovates work experience
- Learning plan
- Attendance and participation at meetings and learning events
- Mid-point learning reflection
- Final report (or other agreed upon deliverable) & learning reflection
- Social media contribution
Learners can bundle three internships to earn an Advanced Applied Research and Innovation Certificate of Completion.
Learners will acquire foundational and discipline-specific professional and technical skills.
Professional and Technical Skills
- Applied research and innovation
- Communications
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Leadership
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Problem-solving and creative thinking
- Planning and project management
- Technical writing
- Public speaking
Discipline-specific professional and technical skills may also include:
- Research methods, data collection, data analysis, and report writing
- Research ethics and intellectual property
- Lab and field safety
- Data acquisition using drones
- Programming and software development
- Product design and prototyping
- Planning and project management
- Data management and security
- Entrepreneurship
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion
Learners will also have access to a series of self-paced e-learning courses and online instructor-led sessions to further support learning, including:
- Project and time management
- Reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Networking skills
- Communication skills
- Career planning
- R&D management
- Leadership skills
- Writing and presentation skills
This training program will be of interest to current Selkirk College students or recent graduates from Diploma and Degree programs interested in improving their pathways to employment through applied research-focused experiential learning. Internships are offered through a flexible, continuous intake delivery model either in person, on campus, at a partner location or virtually. A laptop is required.
Required Qualifications
- Strong independent worker and self-motivated.
- Strong computer skills - including Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Teams.
- Written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and develop presentations.
- Oral communication skills, including comfort with speaking and presenting.
- Proven ability to complete tasks under pressure and be flexible.
- Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal, time management, and task management skills.
- High level of professionalism and experience working with external clients.
Applicants may be required to submit a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should include the following:
- An indication of which of the five Selkirk Innovates focus areas is of primary interest, including rural resilience, GIS and natural resource management, advanced computing, advanced manufacturing and ion-source technologies.
- Summary of why the applicant is interested in the internship.
- Explanation of relevant skills and experience.
- Explanation of how the applicant meets the required qualifications.
- Identification of learning objectives.
Cover letters can be up to two pages in length. Your cover letter will be reviewed as a sample of your writing and communication skills. Please submit your application package via email.
Please do not register via the link below until you have received registration approval from Selkirk Innovates.
