Applications period: Friday, August 30th - Friday, October 18th, 2024.
Deadline: Friday, October 18th, 2024 at 11:59PM in the last timezone on Earth (Oct 19th @ 4:59AM PT / 7:59AM ET / 9:59AM NT)
Make sure to read this full webpage for all details before applying.
Ready to apply?
Have questions? Want to connect with other applicants?
Welcome!
We are thrilled that you are applying to be a Zenith Fellow. The Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation mission is to deliver a national training and career development program designed to bridge gaps between post-secondary and early-career work experience with a focus on underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, to support and sustain a highly-qualified Canadian aerospace industry workforce.
We recognize that talent comes in many different forms, and have designed an application process that will enable people of all backgrounds to highlight who they are, to visibly showcase their aspirations, and the unique insights they bring to the Canadian space sector. Please see the information below that details all of the steps you need to take in order to create and submit your application.
Our key takeaway is this: we strive to bridge the opportunity divide with a focus on underrepresented and disadvantaged groups. Through this Fellowship, we would like to champion equity and equality of opportunity. We encourage everyone who is eligible to apply — your complete application and narrative matters to us. Your application will not be discredited if you do not identify as a person from an underrepresented and/or disadvantaged group. We encourage your answer, but we also understand if you prefer not to. We want to learn about you rather than judging who you are.
How it works: Our selection process is longer than traditional internship application processes - our goal is to select a Class of Fellows who demonstrate outstanding community involvement, leadership skills, technical capabilities, and a passion for contributing to the Canadian space sector. For this reason, we will begin by having you submit an application from the details outlined below which will then be reviewed by members of the Canadian space sector. Selected candidates will then be invited for a video interview with our team. Successful applicants following the video interview will be the selected Fellows for the Class of 2025. The Zenith Canada Pathways team will then match Fellows with our Host Organizations for interviews. If the Host Organization selects an applicant, they will then be named a Zenith Fellow Intern, meaning, in addition to being matched to intern at a Host Organization, Fellow Interns will be matched to a Mentor, and invited to the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit (fully funded)! Any Fellows not matched to a Host Organization will be Zenith Fellow Mentees meaning they will still be matched with a Mentor, invited to the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit in Montreal (funding not guaranteed), and be able to re-apply for the Class of 2026. We expect this process to end in January 2025. Check out our incredible Fellows from the Class of 2024 here!
Our Fellows work at awesome Host Organizations, get paired with inspiring Mentors, and build a community with their Class and the Alumni!
Our roots and community partners
We’d like to take a brief moment to acknowledge our friends who have taken the time to guide us, share best practices and more importantly, to be our allies as we build an international community of leaders. We are driven to build an inclusive Canadian space sector and to empower the next generation with not only opportunities, but also people to guide you along, to listen to you, and to amplify the endless possibilities of where you can go. As we make our next steps with the next Class of Zenith Fellows, our friends at the Brooke Owens Fellowship, the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program and the Zed Factor Fellowship Program have given us valuable advice and mentorship. We remain steadfast as we look forward to growth, and together we are eager to see the inspiring community of Fellows who will chart our stellar future. Just like you, we are finding our Zenith daily, realigning ourselves and engaging on growing together.
Some important points before we get started
Start early!! Like right now! If you are thinking about applying, start working on your essays ASAP! We can’t wait to meet you and don’t want you to miss the deadline!
To successfully complete your application, you will need a Google Account. This year, we are using Google Form to gather your information. The autosave feature ensures that your progress is saved for a period of 30 days - pick up where you left off! We understand that issues may arise in setting up an account, in which case we can arrange for a hard copy submission. Make sure you get a head start to not miss the deadline!
Join the Discord server for Applicants to join and ask questions, speak with other applicants, and receive updates. We want to foster community-building; share your insights with your fellow candidates!
Come attend our Info Sessions in September to get your questions answered, registration info to be announced soon. View last years’ sessions here.
We highly encourage you to follow our Instagram and Twitter where we will be posting updates about the application on a frequent basis.
The application is only available in English. As an established organization in Canada, we recognize and celebrate multiculturalism that is emblematic of our identity. We are working diligently to ensure that all of our material, including online content is made available and accessible in both English and French in the coming years!
If you have ANY questions or need clarification that could not be answered by our resources, please feel free to email info@zenithpathways.ca
To facilitate more opportunities for Canadians, applicants who make it to the Finalist round (Host Organization Interview stage) of the Zenith Fellowship Selection Process and do not get matched with a Host Organization will still be matched with a Mentor, invited to the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit in Montreal (funding not guaranteed), and be able to re-apply for the Class of 2026. So basically, that means… APPLY!
Step 1: Assess your eligibility
To be eligible to become a Zenith Canada Pathways Fellow, you must satisfy ALL of the below criteria:
As of May 2025, you are enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited university or college OR have recently completed an undergraduate degree within the last 3 years (your last semester of school ended June 2022). Master’s students, students in professional programs such as law, medical, nursing, etc, or students pursuing any other degrees on top of undergraduate or equivalent are not eligible.
You are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or a person granted refugee status in Canada who is legally entitled to work in accordance with the laws and regulations of the province or territory of the host company. International students are not eligible due to export control regulations at the host organizations.
You are available to work during Summer 2025 (remote work opportunities may be available at the discretion of the host organization)
You are available to attend the annual Zenith Fellowship Summit held in Montreal in-person from July 23 - July 27, 2025 (tentatively), if funding is guaranteed.
(Note: the Summit is optional for Zenith Fellow Mentees, and mandatory for Zenith Fellow Interns)Are not currently pursuing a graduate degree (Master’s/PhD) prior to Fall 2025
If you meet ALL of the above requirements, you are eligible! Any major or field of study is welcomed, you just need to have an interest in space/working in the space industry.
The Zenith Fellowship is open to anyone of any gender, race, age, economic class, GPA, major, college or university, from any province or territory across Canada, including Canadians abroad, so long as they meet the above requirements!
Note: make sure that you take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page for additional information that expands on the scope of eligibility requirements listed above, and provides key insights to help you guide further into your application process.
Step 2: Gather your application materials
In order to accurately assess each applicant as a potential Zenith Fellow, we ask that you submit the following as part of your application:
An up-to-date, 2-page (maximum) résumé. We understand that this may be your first time applying for a job in the space sector, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have relevant experience! Make sure that you include everything you feel is relevant to showcasing your talents, skills and experiences, as well as what makes you stand out as an applicant. Jobs outside of the space sector can still be relevant: emphasize your transferrable skills from student projects you’ve participated in, summer jobs, other internships - now is your time to show off!
To make sure your résumé stays associated with your application, we ask you to submit the file in PDF format and labelled following this convention: 2024ZCPF_Lastname_Firstname_Resume.pdf.
If we had a hypothetical candidate named, for example, Jane Citizen, the candidate’s submission would be titled: 2024ZCPF_Citizen_Jane_Resume.pdf.
Your latest school transcript (unofficial is acceptable). If you are in your first semester at your new college or university, get us the last transcript you have from your previous school (whether that is your high school or a previous college or university).
We understand that many universities charge students a fee to access official transcripts, therefore we happily accept unofficial transcripts as part of the application process. Please note that some employers may request your official transcript should you advance to the final stage of our selection process.
Similar to your résumé, we ask that you submit the file in PDF format and labelled following this convention: 2024ZCPF_Lastname_Firstname_Transcript.pdf.
Our hypothetical candidate would therefore name their file: 2024ZCPF_Citizen_Jane_Transcript.pdf
For recent graduates, proof of graduation. If you recently graduated from an undergraduate (or equivalent) program, you can submit a proof of graduation document (in PDF format), a picture of your diploma, or certificate of graduation.
Similar to your résumé and transcript, we ask that you follow the following naming convention for your proof of graduation: 2024ZCPF_Lastname_Firstname_Graduation.pdf.
Our hypothetical candidate would therefore name their file: 2024ZCPF_Citizen_Jane_Graduation.pdf
Step 3: List two references
For this application, we do not require recommendation letters. Instead, we ask for the contact information of two people who can attest to the experiences on your application. References can be from a professor, coach, manager, teammate, or anyone else you feel is relevant. As part of the selection process, Zenith may reach out to the references only to confirm your role and participation in the experience listed. Choose people who can support the experiences you mention in your application.
Prepare to list your two references:
Contact phone number
Contact email
Position/Title at the Company/Organization/Institution where you worked with them (Example: Student Team Lead for X Subsystem on McMaster University’s Solar Car Team, Professor of Astronomy at University of British Columbia, etc)
A brief description of who they are and what you worked on with them
Please make sure to give them a heads up that you are applying to this program, what it’s about, and that we may reach out!
Step 4: Respond to the Prompts + Create 2 Original Works
Transcripts and résumés are useful sources of information, but do not fully encompass who you are as a person. At the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, we want to learn about our candidates by asking them to create original works that showcase who they are. This is not your typical job application. The Zenith Fellowship is a community so, your application is important to help us learn about who you are and what your goals are.
Note: Please be aware that we will be checking for the use of Generative AI (Chat GPT and similar) used to complete the works requested. We are requesting original work for the purpose of evaluating each individual, and the use of generative AI compromises that. If the use of generative AI is detected in the works submitted, we will have to reject the application.
SHORT PROMPTS
We ask you answer the following short prompts:
In 250 words or less, please explain what Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion means to you. What role has EDI has played in your life and how you’ve been affected by the presence of or lack of EDI?
Tip: do not just define EDIIn 250 words, tell us what motivates you to apply to the Zenith Fellowship addressing briefly the following in your response: why do you want to be a part of the Zenith Fellowship community, what would you bring to the Fellowship, and how would your career would be impacted by this Fellowship?
You will submit your answer directly to the Google Form in the text box field but feel free to prepare your response ahead of time!
ORIGINAL WORKS FORMAT
As part of our application, we require you to create in total two (2) original works answering our prompts that will help us better understand 1) your professional interests and experiences and 2) your community/personal interests and experiences. The format will be a written essay around 500 words (but does not exceed 750-words), and a multimedia essay (less than 250MB). You can choose either format for the prompts, but you must submit one of each - if this is confusing, don’t worry, there is more information below.
~500-word, Written Essay is a long form essay where you can show us how you organize your ideas, your communication skills, and how you approach complex topics.
Multimedia Essay will be in any format that isn’t a written essay. Here you can let your creativity shine! Feel free to use any media that you would like - we want to see your talent and personality shine through. In the past, people have submitted a video diary, a creative PowerPoint describing a unique story in their life, written a poem or a song, recorded a podcast, made a photo essay, created a poster or a comic, written a story, and beyond!
Tip: If you have your Multimedia Essay formatted as a video and want to upload it to YouTube to submit, we recommend submitting a PDF document that follows the file naming convention with a link to your YouTube video. You can set the video to “unlisted” to share it with only those who have a link!
Please make sure:
Each item you are submitting can be viewed by our Selection Committee members and Host Organization representatives within approximately five minutes. Avoid too long videos and audio, and ensure you are remaining concise but descriptive in your works.
That it does not require a specific software or password to be viewed
Your submission is less than 250MB
ORIGINAL WORKS PROMPTS
The Written Essay and Multimedia Essay will each respond to one of the following prompts:
A. Professional Interests and Experience (pick one)
Help us understand your professional interests and goals. Don’t worry about writing a research paper, instead focus on tying the prompts back to your unique story and interests.
How has your academic and professional experience prepared you for working in the space industry? If you are seeking your first experiences, what are skills that you would want to improve on or experiences that you would like to have to help prepare you for contributing to the space industry?
What is one unanticipated challenge or unique opportunity you see with the continued exploration of space by humanity in the next five years and how would you go about addressing it or using it to your advantage? Briefly consider the technical, political, socio-cultural, ethical and economic implication.
Pitch a dream project you want to work on in the space sector as if you wanted to get investment for it - what would the goal and motivation be? What skills would you bring or develop? What would be the impact?
Discuss a moment where you were either at a point where you felt you were off of your expected path or experienced failure, and how you persevered. What resources did you use? What helped you get back or how are you currently trying to reorient?
How can non-STEM professionals (business, policy, communications, etc) – perhaps including you! – best contribute to teams, missions, or causes in a STEM-dominated field like aerospace? Question credit: Brooke Owens Fellowship
B. Community/Personal Interests and Experience (pick one)
We’d like to learn more about your personal interests and how you are service oriented. Use this section to dive deeper into what makes you YOU.
Aside from your GPA or transcript, you may have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful you believe your application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization you had while in service of others that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Leadership can be described in many ways, what is your definition?
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do, only you lacked the resources?
Question credit: Patti Grace Smith FellowshipTell us about an important role model or mentor in your life and why they are or were valuable to you. Why is mentorship important to you? Have you been a mentor?
So, to clarify, you can either:
Write a Written Essay using a Professional Interests and Experience Prompt, and create a Multimedia Essay using a Community/Personal Interests and Experience Prompt
OR
Create a Multimedia Essay using a Professional Interests and Experience Prompt, and write a Written Essay using a Community/Personal Interests and Experience Prompt
Please submit your Professional Interests and Experience Essay as: 2024ZCPF_Lastname_Firstname_A.(filetype)
And your Community/Personal Interests and Experience Essay as: 2024ZCPF_Lastname_Firstname_B.(filetype).
Step 5: Look into the Host Organizations you might work at
This is a really exciting part - checking out the companies you might work at! We have been working to bring on some really cool space companies in Canada who are excited to work with you. Applicants will be considered for positions at all Host Organizations. To check out our awesome Employers and to see where you and the rest of our 2025 Zenith Fellow Interns might work at if selected, click here!
Note: We are currently in the process of updating out Host Organizations for 2025, so use this as a reference for the places that might be options — you may see some Host Organizations return, and some new ones added over the coming weeks!
At the Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation, we work to ensure that every fellow-host pairing will ensure you will gain rewarding work experience with expert mentorship, and of course, be paid while doing so!
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Okay, so you’ve made sure you’re eligible? You’ve collected all your supporting documents? You’ve let your references know that we might be in touch? You’ve answered all the prompts and prepared your essays? Then, it’s time to submit! Applications are due Saturday October 18th, 2024 at 11:59PM in the last timezone on Earth (Oct 19st @ 4:59AM PT / 7:59AM ET / 9:59AM NT). Please make sure to double, then triple check your application materials for spelling mistakes, and ensure you have gathered all the materials necessary to apply! The form has additional questions to collect basic information so please make sure to give yourself at least 15-20 minutes to complete the application when you are ready to submit.
Remember, you need a Google Account to access the form, so please make make one if you do not have one. And also, your progress will Auto Save for 30 days so feel free to check it out now if you want before you are ready!