National Student &
Emerging Professionals Leadership Program
About the Program
Building Tomorrow's Leaders While Making a Difference Today
At Put Children First, we believe meaningful change begins with people who are willing to invest their time, knowledge, and compassion in the lives of others. Today’s students and emerging professionals will become tomorrow’s policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, lawyers, researchers, social workers, business leaders, and community advocates. By providing meaningful opportunities to learn and contribute, we are helping shape a future workforce that understands the importance of putting children first.
Our National Student & Emerging Professionals Leadership Program offers hands-on experience within a growing national organization committed to strengthening families and improving outcomes for children experiencing separation and divorce. Participants work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to real projects, and gain valuable insight into nonprofit leadership, public policy, research, communications, community engagement, and organizational development.
Whether you are completing an academic placement, seeking volunteer experience, or looking to expand your professional portfolio, we welcome individuals who are passionate about making a meaningful contribution while developing practical leadership skills that will benefit them throughout their careers.
Why Join Our Leadership Program?
Participants have the opportunity to:
- Apply classroom knowledge to meaningful community initiatives.
- Work alongside experienced professionals from multiple disciplines.
- Develop leadership and project management skills.
- Build a professional portfolio.
- Receive mentorship and coaching.
- Contribute to national advocacy initiatives.
- Participate in research and policy development.
- Expand professional networks.
- Earn volunteer and placement hours.
- Receive letters of reference based on performance.
- Be considered for future leadership opportunities within the organization.
Internship Opportunities
Public Policy & Government Relations Intern:Read more/less
Public policy shapes the environments in which children grow, families receive support, and communities respond to change. This internship provides an opportunity to contribute to research, policy development, and government engagement while gaining valuable experience in Canada’s public policy landscape.
Working alongside experienced professionals, you will assist in preparing policy briefs, researching emerging issues, and supporting initiatives that promote child-centred approaches to family transition. You will gain firsthand insight into how nonprofit organizations contribute to public dialogue and policy development.
This internship is ideal for students interested in public administration, political science, law, public policy, or government relations who are looking to make a meaningful contribution while expanding their professional experience.
Responsibilities
• Conduct policy research.
• Assist with policy briefs.
• Monitor government initiatives.
• Support stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare background research.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, or a related program.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Interest in public policy and child wellbeing.
• Ability to work independently.
Psychology & Mental Health Intern:
Children experiencing family transition often face emotional challenges that require understanding, compassion, and evidence-informed support. This internship provides an opportunity to assist with educational resources, mental health awareness initiatives, and community engagement projects that promote resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Working with experienced professionals, interns will contribute to resource development, literature reviews, and community outreach while gaining valuable experience within a national nonprofit environment.
This placement is well suited to students pursuing careers in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, or behavioural sciences.
Responsibilities
• Assist with educational materials.
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Support mental health campaigns.
• Participate in webinars and workshops.
• Contribute to research initiatives.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, or a related program.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Interest in public policy and child wellbeing.
• Ability to work independently.
Read more/less
Children experiencing family transition often face emotional challenges that require understanding, compassion, and evidence-informed support. This internship provides an opportunity to assist with educational resources, mental health awareness initiatives, and community engagement projects that promote resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Working with experienced professionals, interns will contribute to resource development, literature reviews, and community outreach while gaining valuable experience within a national nonprofit environment.
This placement is well suited to students pursuing careers in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, or behavioural sciences.
Responsibilities
• Assist with educational materials.
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Support mental health campaigns.
• Participate in webinars and workshops.
• Contribute to research initiatives.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Law, or a related program.
• Strong research and writing skills.
• Interest in public policy and child wellbeing.
• Ability to work independently.
Social Work & Child and Youth Care Intern:
Social workers and child and youth professionals play an essential role in strengthening families and supporting children during times of transition. This internship provides opportunities to contribute to community outreach, educational initiatives, volunteer coordination, and resource development.
Interns will work alongside experienced professionals while gaining exposure to nonprofit operations, advocacy, and family support initiatives.
This role is designed for students who want to combine professional learning with meaningful community service.
Responsibilities
• Support community outreach.
• Assist with educational programming.
• Help coordinate volunteers.
• Participate in program planning.
• Develop community resources.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Human Services, or related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Compassionate and collaborative.
• Interest in family wellbeing.
Read more/less
Social workers and child and youth professionals play an essential role in strengthening families and supporting children during times of transition. This internship provides opportunities to contribute to community outreach, educational initiatives, volunteer coordination, and resource development.
Interns will work alongside experienced professionals while gaining exposure to nonprofit operations, advocacy, and family support initiatives.
This role is designed for students who want to combine professional learning with meaningful community service.
Responsibilities
• Support community outreach.
• Assist with educational programming.
• Help coordinate volunteers.
• Participate in program planning.
• Develop community resources.
Qualifications
• Enrolled in Social Work, Child & Youth Care, Human Services, or related field.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Compassionate and collaborative.
• Interest in family wellbeing.
Communications & Digital Media Intern:
Stories inspire understanding. This internship provides opportunities to help tell the story of Put Children First through writing, digital media, photography, video production, website content, and social media engagement.
Interns will help produce content that informs the public, celebrates partnerships, and raises awareness of issues affecting children experiencing family transition.
This placement offers valuable experience for students interested in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or digital media.
Responsibilities
• Create website content.
• Assist with newsletters.
• Support social media campaigns.
• Develop promotional materials.
• Help produce digital content.
Qualifications
• Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related program.
• Strong writing skills.
• Creativity.
• Interest in digital storytelling.
Read more/less
Stories inspire understanding. This internship provides opportunities to help tell the story of Put Children First through writing, digital media, photography, video production, website content, and social media engagement.
Interns will help produce content that informs the public, celebrates partnerships, and raises awareness of issues affecting children experiencing family transition.
This placement offers valuable experience for students interested in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or digital media.
Responsibilities
• Create website content.
• Assist with newsletters.
• Support social media campaigns.
• Develop promotional materials.
• Help produce digital content.
Qualifications
• Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related program.
• Strong writing skills.
• Creativity.
• Interest in digital storytelling.
Research Intern:
Evidence strengthens advocacy. Research Interns help identify emerging trends, review academic literature, summarize research findings, and support publications that inform the organization’s work.
Students will gain valuable experience conducting applied research within a national nonprofit environment while contributing to projects that influence education and public awareness.
Responsibilities
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Summarize academic research.
• Assist with publications.
• Support policy research.
• Maintain research databases.
Qualifications
• Sociology, Psychology, Public Health, Education, Political Science, or related discipline.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent writing ability.
Read more/less
Evidence strengthens advocacy. Research Interns help identify emerging trends, review academic literature, summarize research findings, and support publications that inform the organization’s work.
Students will gain valuable experience conducting applied research within a national nonprofit environment while contributing to projects that influence education and public awareness.
Responsibilities
• Conduct literature reviews.
• Summarize academic research.
• Assist with publications.
• Support policy research.
• Maintain research databases.
Qualifications
• Sociology, Psychology, Public Health, Education, Political Science, or related discipline.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent writing ability.
Business Administration & Operations Intern:
Strong organizations require thoughtful planning, effective operations, and sound administration. This internship offers students practical experience supporting organizational development while contributing to projects that strengthen Put Children First’s national operations.
Interns will gain exposure to strategic planning, project coordination, volunteer management, and nonprofit administration.
Responsibilities
• Assist with project coordination.
• Support volunteer administration.
• Help develop operational processes.
• Conduct organizational research.
• Assist leadership with planning initiatives.
Qualifications
• Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, or related field.
• Organizational skills.
• Initiative.
• Teamwork.
Read more/less
Strong organizations require thoughtful planning, effective operations, and sound administration. This internship offers students practical experience supporting organizational development while contributing to projects that strengthen Put Children First’s national operations.
Interns will gain exposure to strategic planning, project coordination, volunteer management, and nonprofit administration.
Responsibilities
• Assist with project coordination.
• Support volunteer administration.
• Help develop operational processes.
• Conduct organizational research.
• Assist leadership with planning initiatives.
Qualifications
• Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, or related field.
• Organizational skills.
• Initiative.
• Teamwork.
Program Information:
Placement Length.
Flexible based on academic institution requirements.
Typical placements range from:
• 80 Hours
• 120 Hours
• 240 Hours
• Semester Placement
• Summer Placement
Read more/less
Placement Length.
Flexible based on academic institution requirements.
Typical placements range from:
• 80 Hours
• 120 Hours
• 240 Hours
• Semester Placement
• Summer Placement
Location:
Remote across Canada.
Hybrid opportunities may become available as regional chapters develop.
Read more/less
Remote across Canada.
Hybrid opportunities may become available as regional chapters develop.
What Participants Receive:
• Professional mentoring.
• Practical nonprofit experience.
• Leadership development.
• Volunteer recognition.
• Networking opportunities.
• Reference letter upon successful completion.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Priority consideration for future leadership positions.
Read more/less
• Professional mentoring.
• Practical nonprofit experience.
• Leadership development.
• Volunteer recognition.
• Networking opportunities.
• Reference letter upon successful completion.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Priority consideration for future leadership positions.
Our Commitment to Students:
We recognize that internships should be meaningful learning experiences—not simply volunteer labour. Every participant will receive guidance, opportunities to contribute to real projects, constructive feedback, and mentorship designed to support both personal and professional growth.
Whether you continue your journey with Put Children First or pursue opportunities elsewhere, our goal is that you leave with greater confidence, stronger leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of how compassionate leadership can improve the lives of children and families.
Read more/less
We recognize that internships should be meaningful learning experiences—not simply volunteer labour. Every participant will receive guidance, opportunities to contribute to real projects, constructive feedback, and mentorship designed to support both personal and professional growth.
Whether you continue your journey with Put Children First or pursue opportunities elsewhere, our goal is that you leave with greater confidence, stronger leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of how compassionate leadership can improve the lives of children and families.
