Summer 2021: Virtual Globalink Mentors – Mitacs

  • Location: Virtual
  • Deadline: March 15, 2021 at 11:59 pm

Online/virtual position

Mitacs is seeking undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students to work as Virtual Globalink Mentors for the summer of 2021. As a Globalink Mentor, you are expected to commit on average 2 hrs/week to this four- to five-month position, and will be compensated $20 an hour.

During the spring/summer of 2021, students from Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, and Ukraine will complete a 12-week research internship with a Canadian university through the Mitacs Globalink program. Many of our Globalink research interns (GRIs) will come to Canada whereas others will participate from their home countries depending on health regulations. We are hiring a small but mighty group of mature students to help our GRIs get settled, work hard, and have a great experience this summer!

The Mitacs Globalink program is doing important work to help improve the innovation capacity of Canada, and we need people just like you to help us make this work. For information on the Globalink Research Internship program, please visit the following webpage: https://www.mitacs.ca/en/programs/globalink/globalink-research-internship

About Mitacs

Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit research organization that fosters growth and innovation in partnership with companies, government, and academia. Through unique research and training programs it fosters cutting-edge research and supports the development of the next generation of innovators with vital scientific and business skills. Mitacs is supporting a new economy using Canada’s most valuable resource — its people.

Position Summary

Please note all work will be conducted virtually (online) — no in-person work is planned at this time.

The role of a Globalink Mentor is to provide virtual health, safety, and social support for around ten Globalink Research Interns (GRIs) between May and September. Some email communication is also required in the month of April to connect with interns before they begin their internships. Globalink Mentors help GRIs become oriented to their host university and provide ongoing weekly support. The position requires a commitment of around 2 hrs/week. More work is required at the beginning of the term when the GRIs arrive; less work is required throughout the summer as the GRIs become more comfortable.

Key Responsibilities

A. Welcome

  • Prepares a (one-page minimum) welcome package and sends to GRIs before arrival.
  • Attends online training provided by Mitacs to all Globalink Mentors.
  • Provides pre-arrival information to the GRI as they prepare to arrive in Canada.
  • For in-person internships:
    • Follows up with GRI to confirm they have arrived and to answer initial questions about the host town/city
    • Ensures GRI have information about campus and understand how to reach their research location
    • Supports GRI to open a bank account in accordance with Mitacs instructions (for example, recommending a branch near the campus)
  • For virtual internships:
    • Follows up with GRI after internship start date to confirm they have begun and answer initial questions about the host university

B. Ongoing Support

Contacts GRIs at least once every two weeks to check up on them and answer their questions. Perform additional support work as assigned by Mitacs.

C. Wrap-up and Reporting

Contacts each GRI one week before internship end date to make sure they are prepared for departure (if applicable) and end of their internship. Submits a final report with a description of experiences and feedback.

Employment Timeline

Training is provided by Mitacs in April. GRIs assigned to a mentor may begin their internships in May, June, or July, and remain in Canada for approximately three months. Applicants will be asked to notify Mitacs of any scheduling conflicts, but ultimately Mitacs will assign GRIs to mentors based on the schedule of the GRIs attending the institution. Please alert the Globalink team to any restrictions which may affect your availability.

Due to the virtual nature of the role, we do not anticipate scheduling conflicts will occur. Mentors are not required to be in the host town/city during the summer.

Required Qualifications

  • Must have attended the host university for two years or more (or is a Globalink alumnus who is now a Canadian graduate student)
  • Legally permitted to work off-campus in Canada
  • Must be able to speak and communicate in English

Assets

  • Understands international students and their needs
  • Experienced, understanding, and respectful of cultural differences
  • Strong familiarity with the host university and local community
  • Experience as a Residence Don/Advisor, or supervising other students
  • Involvement in extra-curricular clubs, hobbies, and activities

Thank you for your interest in joining the Mitacs Globalink team, we look forward to hearing from you!

Application deadline: March 15, 2021. Early applications are encouraged.

Questions?

If you do not see the answer to your question, please contact our team at globalinkhire@mitacs.ca