Program Overview

Introduction to the PACE Internship Programme

The PACE Internship Programme is a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programme available to students of any degree or discipline across the university. This programme allows students to bring fresh perspectives, innovative approaches, and "next-gen knowledge" from their academic studies to a workplace or organisation, while gaining vital industry experience and knowledge.

Benefits of the PACE Internship Programme

For Organisations

• Provide support for current projects
• Expedite wish-list projects
• Conduct research to support future projects
• Contribute to shaping tomorrow's leaders
• Potential to hire interns as employees upon graduation

For Students

• Gain industry experience and knowledge
• Apply academic skills in a real-world setting
• Develop personal and professional skills through workshops and reflection
• Enhance career prospects

Areas of Expertise

PACE interns can offer expertise in a wide range of areas, including:

• Research and analysis
• Media, communications, and social media
• Writing and research
• Social and political research
• Computer science
• Archiving
• Digital humanities
• Marketing
• Creative arts
• Science

How Internships Work

• Students work for a business or organisation for 70 or 140 hours on a specific project
• Internships can be based in Christchurch or other parts of New Zealand and globally
• Three intakes per year: Semester 1 (February - June), Semester 2 (July - October), and Summer (November - December or November - February)
• Students typically work one or two days per week over a 15-week semester period
• Each internship has measurable milestones and agreed-upon outcomes
• Students attend workshops to reflect on their learning and focus on personal and professional development

Partnership Opportunities

The University of Canterbury offers a range of business partnership opportunities that can benefit organisations. These include, but are not limited to, the PACE Internship Programme. By partnering with the university, organisations can contribute to the development of students while also benefiting from their skills and knowledge.