Internship Spotlight: Alexandra Douglas - Immigrant Workers Center (IWC)

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Members of the King Family for their financial support through the Hinda Ordower King Awards of Merit. Your generous support made it possible for me to complete an invaluable internship this summer, and I am so grateful for the opportunity. My name is Alex, and I am pursuing an Honours degree in International Development Studies with a major in Economics at McGill University. My academic interests focus on migration, labour rights, and social policy, and I am particularly passionate about understanding the barriers that migrants face in accessing services and advocating for their rights.

I was motivated to intern at the Immigrant Workers Centre (IWC) because of my strong interest in migrant justice and labour rights. I wanted to deepen my understanding of the challenges faced by migrant workers in Quebec, especially in light of recent policy changes such as Bill 96. My goal was to gain firsthand experience with advocacy and casework while applying the theoretical frameworks I’ve studied in my coursework to real-world situations. I was also eager to learn more about community organizing and to strengthen my skills in working directly with marginalized populations.

The Immigrant Workers Centre is a grassroots organization based in Montreal that advocates for the rights and well-being of immigrant and migrant workers. Its mission is to support workers in defending their rights, seeking fair employment conditions, and accessing services regardless of their immigration status. The IWC provides a range of services, including legal advice, workshops on labour rights, and public campaigns to raise awareness about the exploitation of migrant workers. It is deeply committed to a vision of social justice that prioritizes dignity and equity for all workers.

During my internship, I was primarily involved in casework, where I supported migrant workers in navigating complex bureaucratic processes, such as filing labour complaints and applying for work permits of vulnerable workers. I also assisted in organizing workshops on workers’ rights, helped develop educational materials in multiple languages.

My academic background in International Development Studies was instrumental throughout my internship. Courses on human rights, migration policy, and global labour dynamics helped me understand the broader systemic issues that shape the lives of migrant workers. The internship allowed me to apply theories of globalization, social justice, and policy analysis to practical scenarios, enriching my understanding of how structural inequities manifest at the local level.

One of the most memorable aspects of my internship was the welcoming atmosphere at the IWC. From the very first day, I was embraced by a passionate team of staff and volunteers who were deeply committed to their work. A highlight for me was helping to organize a community event where migrant workers shared their stories and cultures with the community. Witnessing the strength and solidarity of the community was incredibly inspiring and reinforced my commitment to advocating for migrant rights.

One significant challenge I faced was working in French, as a large part of the casework and workshops were conducted in French to serve the diverse migrant population. Initially, I struggled to keep up and felt insecure about my language skills. To overcome this, I started practicing daily on Duolingo and enrolled in a French course mid-way through the internship. These efforts greatly improved my confidence and allowed me to communicate more effectively with clients. I am receiving academic credit for this internship through the INTD 499 course, supervised by Professor Takamura. For my research paper, I am focusing on the recent closure of Amazon’s warehouse in Quebec and how this has resulted in an increase in subcontracting to temporary employment agencies, exploring its implications for labour rights and job security.

This internship has had a profound impact on my career aspirations. It has confirmed my desire to work in the field of advocacy and community organizing, with a particular focus on migrant justice and labour rights. The financial support I received through the Hinda Ordower King Awards of Merit was crucial in making this internship possible. Without it, I would not have been able to participate in this unpaid opportunity and gain the hands-on experience that has been so pivotal to my personal and professional development! Once again, I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the Members of the King family for their generous support of the Arts Internship Awards. Your commitment to supporting students has made a significant difference in my academic journey, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow through this experience!