Scholarship – BCGS Industry Internship 2025

Many BSc students find it challenging to connect academics to professional life, especially when it comes to finding that first working experiences that will help them secure their first job after graduation. 

The BCGS Industry Internship Program aims to help students find summer or other work placements in the geophysics sector. We will help connect you with summer employment opportunities, and – when you have accepted an employment position that will provide you with experiences in geophysical work – we may be able to provide a one-time stipend to help cover costs of getting started. In past years we have distributed between 1 and 5 internship awards, depending on number, quality and appropriateness of applicants.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates (<3 years) from or currently residing in British Columbia who can demonstrate an interest in working in field, office, or technical aspects of geophysics. 

Selection Criteria

  1. A succinct description of your interests in geophysical work,presented in the application form and accompanying cover letter (shorter than one page); 
  2. An academic record that demonstrates a commitment to geophysics. “High” grades are not necessary. All we want to see us proof that you are succeeding in courses that involve geophysical theory or practice.
  3. One academic or professional reference.

Procedure and timeline

Please read carefully and ask us if you have questions:

Here is the procedure to participate in the BCGS Summer Internship Program (2025):

  1. You should have received an invitation letter at school or from a representative in a geology or geophysics club. It includes a preliminary list of organizations who have expressed interest in hiring students in the past. If you did not receive this list please ask the BCGS <awards@bcgsonline.org> for an invitation letter and the list.
    1. NOTE: Organizations on that list are not your only options – there are many opportunities in BC and the Yukon, and across Canada. Geophysical work may be found in a wide range of sectors including mineral exploration, mining, environmental consulting, academics and more.
    2. NOTE: These organizations may or may not be hiring this time around.
      See the NOTES OF ADVICE section below.
    3. Any job you find that involves geophysics qualifies for this program.
    4. You must do your own job-hunting; this list is just a starting point.
  2. When you begin, looking for geophysical work complete the BCGS Summer Internship Program application form.
    1. NOTE:  when job hunting you should inform the organizations you are contacting that you have applied to the BCGS Industry Internship Program.
    2. DEADLINE: Submit the completed application when you begin job-hunting, but no later than March 31, 2025.
  3. When you accept a summer job that involves geophysical work, please …
    1. Email BCGS at <awards@bcgsonline.org> saying you have been hired. Indicate the organization you will work for and the type of work you might be doing.
    2. Ask the employer to send a quick note to BCGS confirming this decision.
  4. As soon as possible after the submission deadline, BCGS will inform applicants who have found geophysical work about the funding that may be available. The amounts depend on BCGS’s financial situation at the time, and on the number of students who succeed in finding appropriate employment. In the past, individual grants have ranged between $1,000 and $2,500.

NOTES OF ADVICE:

  1. YOU (student) are responsible for applying for jobs. When asking about summer work, mention that you are applying to BCGS for an internship award and refer to the BCGS internship web page (this page).
  2. Companies or organizations may or may not be hiring regardless of their past history.
  3. Hiring decisions are sometimes not made until March or April.
  4. Do your own research – don’t depend solely on our list.
  5. Employment in any geophysical context will qualify for application.
  6. Apply for an internship award at the same time as you start applying for jobs.
  7. YOU must inform BCGS as soon as a position involving geophysics is obtained.
  8. If you have questions please contact the scholarship coordinator <awards@bcgsonline.org>.

When your job is complete we will ask for a short summary of your experiences, feedback and a photo or two, for our records and website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can students still receive financial support if they are hired by a geophysics company not on the list?
    Certainly. No constraints, so long as work is somehow related to geophysics.
  • If this can go towards jobs not on the list, does the job have to be in BC?
    No, the job can be anywhere at all, so long as you are a student studying at an institution in BC or the Yukon.
  • Should students inform companies during the hiring process that they’ve applied for this internship program?
    Yes, see point “3” above.
  • Is it the student or the company’s role to notify the BCGS once they are hired?
    You the student. See point “5” above.
  • If the student applies and gets selected for a job on the list, do they automatically receive financial aid from this Internship Award? Or is there the possibility they get hired but won’t receive the award?
    Applicants will be informed (point 4 above) if they are approved, and funds will be available. The amount depends on how many are approved and available funds (which varies each year depending on donations.)

For a list of past internship awardees, and comments reflecting their experiences, see our awardees page.