Winternship Overview

Connect with Waterloo's startup ecosystem through our premier winter internship program

Want to learn more?

Our info session is happening on October 21 hosted online on Zoom! Meet with the StartUp Laurier team to see how the Winternship program can jumpstart your Laurier career!

Winternship is the internship program that Startup Laurier runs every year to connect Laurier students with the Startup hub in Waterloo and surrounding cities! Students will have the opportunity to work a remote part-time position during the winter semester (January to April).

What Makes Us Different?

  • Direct connection to Waterloo's thriving startup ecosystem
  • Remote part-time positions perfect for students
  • Curated opportunities with vetted companies
  • High success rate with 4.6/5 student satisfaction
  • Many students extend their internships into summer terms

80+

Job Openings Secured

More than 80 positions have been secured in the last Winternship year, offering students a wide range of opportunities.

4.6/5

Student Rating

Students have rated the program highly, with an impressive average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

4.1/5

Employer Rating

Employers also rate the program favourably, reflecting strong partnerships and valuable experiences.

4 Month

Program Duration

The Winternship runs from January to April, aligning with the winter academic term.

Real people, real experiences, real results

Jessica Epel

Winternship 2024 Alum

Participating in Winternship helped bring opportunities to junior students who are excited to put their ideas towards a growing company that chases an innovative cause. I learnt so much about how ideas, research, and business operations are executed, and left with a better understanding of my career interests.

Outcome

A truly unique opportunity; many people in my group even extended their internships into the summer term!

Eligibility & Requirements

Make sure you purchase the Winternship registration fee!

The Winternship program costs $25 to access the job board. The registration fee on the Lazaridis Students' Society website.

Who can apply?

  • Currently enrolled at Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Purchased the Winternship registration fee here
  • Available for remote part-time work during winter semester
  • Passion for entrepreneurship and innovation
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills
  • Commitment to the January–April program duration

How can I get started

  1. Create your account and complete the registration form
  2. Wait for admin approval (usually within 48 hours)
  3. Browse available positions and apply to those that interest you
  4. Participate in company interviews (December 1–5, 2025)
  5. Submit your rankings by December 15, 2025
  6. Receive match notification by December 20, 2025
  7. Begin your internship journey!
Illustration of internship process

The Winternship Hiring Process

Our unique rank-match process ensures fair and efficient matching between students and companies. Here's how it works:

For Students

  1. 1.
    Apply: Submit applications to positions of interest
  2. 2.
    Interview: Participate in company interviews (Dec 1–5, 2025)
  3. 3.
    Receive Rankings: Get notified if you're 'Ranked #1', 'Ranked', or 'Not Ranked'
  4. 4.
    Submit Rankings: Rank your preferred positions by Dec 15, 2025
  5. 5.
    Get Matched: Receive match notification by Dec 20, 2025
  6. 6.
    Accept Position: Reach out to company via email to confirm

For Companies

  1. 1.
    Create Applications: Design your application forms
  2. 2.
    Review Applications: Select students to interview
  3. 3.
    Conduct Interviews: Interview selected students (Dec 1–5, 2025)
  4. 4.
    Submit Rankings: Rank students 1 (most preferred) to 0 by Dec 12, 2025
  5. 5.
    Get Matched: Receive match notification by Dec 20, 2025
  6. 6.
    Welcome Wintern: Student will reach out to confirm acceptance

Important Dates – 2025/26 Program

  • December 1–5, 2025: Interview Period
  • December 12, 2025: Employer rankings due
  • December 15, 2025: Student rankings due
  • December 20, 2025: Match notifications sent
  • January 2026: Winternship program begins

The Rank Match Process

  1. 1.
    Registration: Students and employers make Winternship accounts.
  2. 2.
    Job Discovery: Students apply following the employer's instructions (on or off-platform), including their Laurier ID. For example, students may be expected to email employers with their resume and Laurier ID, engage in interviews, share portfolios, etc.
  3. 3.
    Employer Ranking: Employers enter Laurier IDs and rank candidates for each job posting through their rank-match board.
  4. 4.
    Student Ranking: Once ranked by an employer, students can view and rank those positions in return via their own rank-match board.
  5. 5.
    Matching: The admin runs the matching algorithm for each job individually, pairing candidates based on mutual ranking preferences. Dashboard notifications alert both parties when matches are released.

Whether you're a first-year student exploring entrepreneurship or a senior looking to launch your own startup, Startup Laurier has something for you. Join our community and start your entrepreneurial journey today!

Join our community
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