Master of Applied Politics grad earns spot in the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme

May 21, 2021

Melody Greaves, a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Master of Applied Politics, is one of 10 interns from across Canada selected to take part in the prestigious Ontario Legislature Internship Programme, beginning in September.

Greaves will spend 10 months assisting Members of Provincial Parliament with tasks ranging from writing speeches, preparing for question period and committee work, researching policy issues, assisting with constituency work and attending meetings.

“When I got the call that I got the internship, I cried tears of joy,” says Greaves, who also received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Laurier. “The past six months since I graduated, I have had a tough time finding meaningful work in my field because of the pandemic, so finally receiving some good news was extra special to me. I understand how prestigious this internship is, so I am extremely humbled and grateful to have been chosen.” 

The paid internship, administered by the Canadian Political Science Association, is non-partisan. Interns spend half their time with governing MPPs and the other half with opposition MPPs. They can also network with public leaders, including premiers and past premiers, as well as sponsors, journalists and stakeholders.

Ontario Legislature interns must also prepare a research paper about the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and present it at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Greaves plans to gather her own data for the paper by surveying and interviewing MPPs from both the current government and the opposition.

Greaves hopes to one day work in a leadership role within an Ontario ministry helping to develop and implement essential programs and services. She decided to pursue a career in provincial politics after hearing former premier Kathleen Wynne speak at Laurier’s Waterloo campus in 2017 and meeting her for lunch, alongside her fellow Applied Politics classmates, in 2020.

Greaves’ research during her master’s degree focused on environmental conservation, the development of circular economies and sustainability. She learned about the impacts of provincial legislation on municipalities and social service organizations through her practicum, a requirement of the Applied Politics program, with the Grand River Council on Aging. The Brantford-based organization strives to make communities more welcoming and accessible to individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

“I doubt that many recent graduates my age are so highly invested in seniors’ interests in politics, so I think I was able to bring a unique perspective,” says Greaves. “The hands-on work experience I gained through the Master of Applied Politics practicum will help me feel confident going into this program.”

Greaves continues to volunteer with the Grand River Council on Aging as a research analyst and subcommittee member.

Alumni of the Ontario Legislature Internship Programme have gone on to find work in government, business, journalism, law and academia. Meaghan Irons, who graduated from Laurier’s Master of Applied Politics program in 2019, was among the 2019-2020 interns of the program. Irons now works as a policy advisor with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.