Internships in the School of Business

The Business Internship Unit is a core component of the School of Business Program at Notre Dame Australia.  Each undergraduate student in the School of Business is required to successfully complete this unit in order to graduate. The Business Internship is a fully graded unit.

Internships, Work Integrated Learning (WIL), Industry-Based Learning, Practicum, Work Experience, placements, Experiential Learning all mean the same thing.  In essence, your Internship experience is designed to complement your study by introducing you into the work environment. Having industry experience to add to your formal qualifications may assist you to develop a competitive edge in the workforce market.

The Business Internship Unit includes activities in career planning and professional development and helps assist students in relevant business settings under the supervision of professionals.  The overall experience is developmental with students being expected to perform the following three phases:

  • Workplace Preparation - this includes seminars by recruitment experts covering topics such as current employment demographics, resume writing, interview preparation and general workplace conduc.  All of these topics are necessary to prepare you for the process of successfully seeking and undertaking employment.
  • Workplace Insights – in which presentations are made by industry leaders sharing valuable insights into their particular industry and work practices.
  • The Internship placement experience.

As a university student, an Internship placement can add substantial value to your resume. Many future employers see undertaking an internship within an organisation as a positive and encouraging sign of your abilities and knowledge development. 

It also allows you to identify key skills that you may need to develop prior to moving into your new career. 

The placement must be undertaken in the area of your discipline major and is usually unpaid. You are able to adapt the situation to suit your needs, for example, arranging a split placement at two different organisations. You may also consider the option of completing your placement interstate or overseas.

FAQ’S REGARDING THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

1) What is an Internship?

It is a placement opportunity offered by an organisation and is designed to give you hands on experience in the field and in a particular organisation.  It is great experience that cannot be achieved in the classroom.

2) Who does an Internship?

Internships are generally for final year or second year students in the School of Business. You need to have undertaken enough units in your major to be able to apply your theoretical knowledge in a workplace situation.  It is also worth undertaking vacation work during your summer and winter term breaks whilst you are at university, as this gives credibility to your Resume.

3) Why should I undertake an Internship?

You get first hand exposure to a broad range of skills and knowledge that will assist you in future employment. Employment offers can often result from an Internship placement, as they provide you with the opportunity of demonstrating your abilities and suitability to an organisation.  In addition, and perhaps of most importance, is that you can see whether or not a certain job or sector suits you.  You may possibly change your mind completely about your future career.

Our Internship Program offers you the opportunity to learn, practice and develop your skills such as confidence, leadership, independence and responsibility.

You will be given the opportunity to network while you are undertaking your Internship Unit.  This may help you with your future career. If you are undertaking your Internship abroad, you will be experiencing a different culture and work ethic too. 

4) What is the timeline for Internships?

The Internship placement is for a minimum of 150 hours (four weeks full-time equivalent).  Some internships take much longer if you are working on a project or a particular event.  The best thing about the practicum placement part of this unit is that it can be undertaken full-time or part-time.  Placements are typically undertaken during the winter or summer break (whichever comes first). 

5) What do I do in an Internship placement?

This is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills. 

The idea of an Internships is to allow you to place your theoretical knowledge and skill into practice. It also provides employers with the opportunity to train you (if required) and/or give you projects to work on in order that you can demonstrate such practical abilities beyond the theory learned at university.

The area that you negotiate to gain practical experience within an organisation needs to be complementary to your Major.

6) What’s in it for me?

An Internship will help your Resume stand out! It will give you practical work experience in a field you may wish to work in and often assists in finding you employment post-university. For example, many students who have completed their Internship have been retained by their organisation in either a full or part-time capacity.

7) Is it easy to get an Internship?

It varies depending on the area in which you are specialising, as well as the workplace.  Some companies are happy to host a student based upon an interview only.  Others expect you to undertake an application process with interviews and assessments. 

We suggest you do your research carefully, consider smaller companies as well as the big ones and Not-for-Profit businesses and charities.  We also suggest you apply to more than one organisation and be prepared for knock-backs. 

8) Who organises my Internship?

You do! An essential part of graduate career success is the ability to locate and negotiate future positions that benefit your career. Your Internship placement is seen as part of the enabling process and is also part of the learning and assessment associated with the Internship Unit. The School of Business Internship Coordinator is also available to support and advise you when required.

9) Where can I do my Internship?

Big Corporate to Not-for-Profit organisations and Charities may offer Internship opportunities. Students have undertaken their placements in a variety of businesses, for example, hospitals, schools, construction companies, governmental organisations, fashion houses, event companies, sporting companies, media companies and many more.

Our students have travelled to various locations throughout Australia and the World. 

10)  Can I do my Internship at more than one organisation?

You would normally complete your placement with one organisation. However, a maximum of two placements may be approved in order to fulfill the practicum requirements.  This is negotiated between the Internship Coordinator, yourself and your employer.

You need to allow sufficient time to organise, and then carry out, the Internship. We encourage you to be aware that you must have completed all aspects of the process and related assessments before you will be able to Graduate.

11) Insurances

The University has insured all students participating in an unpaid practicum through Catholic Church Insurance Ltd.  This insurance covers personal injury, property damage or advertising liability as defined in the policy.

Until the Undergraduate Practicum Approval Form has been completed and approved students are not covered by the University Insurance Policy for unpaid placements. Students who undertake a paid placement would be covered by the host organisation’s workers compensation insurance.

Confidentiality

Notre Dame students have a reputation for professionalism whilst on Internships, and understand the importance of confidentiality to a host organisation.  You may be required, as part of your Internship placement, to sign an internal confidentiality agreement

What to do now?

Start planning early!

  • In preparation of obtaining a successful Internship placement, start to think about what you want to gain from this Internship i.e. what sort of company you would like to work in? 
  • Also consider what sort of work you would be interested in that is related to the discipline you are studying. 
  • Ensure your resume is up to date. 

Where to look for an Internship

  • Online web searches;
  • Private employment agencies;
  • West Australian, local newspapers (under the employment section);
  • Business magazines (to see which companies are making the news, winning awards winning new projects  etc..);
  • Networking, ask your lecturer/tutor for recommendations;
  • Seek.com, jobsearch.gov.au, career hub;
  •  Graduate opportunities, radio and television;
  • Notice boards (on community noticeboards, shop windows);
  • Speak to your peers, ask family and  friends;
  • Approach employers by identifying the companies you would like to work for and calling them direct (call them, write to them, call in personally);
  • Careers fairs, Gradlink;
  • Members of any professional association websites e.g. AIM, CPA, AHRI,AMI;
  • Speak to the Careers Office at UNDA; and
  • Contact the Internship Coordinator at the School of Business.

Before commencing your Internship

The Undergraduate Practicum Approval Form must be submitted prior to the commencement of your placement.  This should be four weeks in advance to ensure all internal paperwork has been finalised. You must also advise whether your placement is paid or unpaid and MUST collect your approval form for inclusion in your final report.

The Reflective Journal

As part of your assessment for this unit you are required to maintain a daily reflective journal, which is submitted within two weeks of concluding the Internship placement.  The seminars for this unit will outline the information you will need to include in your journal.