UVic’s Gustavson School of Business to partner with Mitacs in program that sees co-op students support businesses adapt under COVID-19
July 21, 2020, Victoria, BC – A new internship will empower UVic students to help businesses adapt to the new economic reality in the wake of COVID-19, thanks to a partnership between the Gustavson School of Business and Mitacs, a national non-profit research organization that supports industrial and social innovation. This Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program will help small-and medium-sized enterprises and non-profit organizations (SME under 500 employees) adapt in the wake of COVID-19.
The BSI program will partner undergraduate and graduate co-op students with businesses through a 12- to 16-week internship program, where students will develop strategic projects to help SMEs restore or pivot business operations in our new economic environment. Students will address one or more business strategies, including marketing, operations, communication and finance.
“We’ve heard from local employers, as well as employers across Canada, about the ways that COVID-19 has impacted their daily operations,” says Gloria Darroch, associate director of UVic’s Gustavson School of Business Co-op and Career Centre. “UVic business co-op students are innovative, resilient and can make a vital impact to help communities recover. They’re equipped with the skills to help companies to pivot and plan for the future.”
The BSI program will give students the opportunity to apply business concepts and theories to real-world decision-making, while giving them access to broadened training and career opportunities and expanding their network with faculty, businesses, and the community.
Through this program, SMEs will contribute $2,500 and will receive an additional $5,000 in funding through Mitacs and a $2,500 contribution from the Gustavson School of Business to cover student wages and project delivery. This program will also connect SMEs to UVic faculty knowledge and expertise, while co-op students will have access to Mitacs’ online professional development opportunities. Typically, close to 900 business students secure co-op positions with almost 450 employers each year.
The program is currently accepting project proposals/applications for fall internships to start no later than August 31, 2020.
For applications and additional information, contact project lead Marguerite Casey-Wolnicki at mcasey@uvic.ca.