For Students

What are the benefits of work integrated learning?

Today, more employers are looking for graduates with work experience, graduates who understand how to apply their theoretical knowledge in the workplace. Participating in work integrated learning as part of your degree can give you the opportunity to:

  • Put theory into practice
  • Consider and develop possible careers
  • Establish networking opportunities
  • Develop your ability to think critically and creatively
  • Establish a work history
  • Find out what you don’t want to do
  • Learn “how the world works”
  • Develop a range of important “generic” skills sought by employers

What UC students say about work integrated learning

 “I do not understand how students enter the workforce without the experience. Beyond valuable.” (Public Relations student)

 “A fantastic program ... it’s magic if you get into an accounting firm ... it’s a really good job application” where both student and employer can “try each other out” (Lisa Baker, B Commerce 2009).

An IT student couldn’t see the relevance of certain studies until “sitting in my cubicle [during my internship] where I could see Organisational Behaviour happening in front of me”.

“It really enabled me to focus on the relevant issue being taught ... without this exercise, I believe that I would have missed a vital part of making the connection between theory and practice”. (Law student following a mock trial).

A UC community environment project with school students helped Mark Sweaney to discover the “real world application of skills learnt from uni”.

 “... a good way to experience the real world; an opportunity to put theory into practice.” (Jason Prowd, Business and Government student)

“Architects are problem solvers. To be able to do that, you need to be able to integrate the theoretical and the practical and unite them to get a good solution.” (Oliver Gee, Master of Architecture 2009 comments about the design studio approach).

Internships

Are you seeking an Internship?

Internships, cadetships and other work opportunities are advertised through the Careers Service office. See website http://www.canberra.edu.au/careers/students/employment/internships.