Information for Organisations

The Internship Program

An internship is a short-term placement where a student spends time within your company, business or organisation.

What is an internship?

Internships have been put in place in order to allow organisations and students to come together in a beneficial manner to both.

An internship or work placement is an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in an organisation while studying at University.

It gives students the opportunity to gain an insight into the operation of their field of study and develop an understanding of the issues central to their profession.

Internships allow organisations to get involved and develop the next generation of business leaders while gaining their new and creative insights into the profession. For more information, please refer to “Benefits to your organisation”.

Why get involvedAs an industry partner, offering an internship will enable your organisation to gain access to high calibre students who will contribute new ideas and assist in your workplace.

Our Internships Team will carefully manage each placement to ensure the internship process is developed to best match your organisation’s needs.

The internship programThe internship is University supported and students are monitored throughout the term of the placement.

Attendance at your organisation is fully flexible and can be negotiated between yourself and the successful student depending on the needs of your business.

Internships are generally unpaid, however if you wish to pay your intern you are welcome to do so.

The student is provided with public liability, travel and personal accident insurance.

Benefits to your organisation > Innovation: Interns offer a fresh perspective and can offer new skills that your employees may not possess.

> Enhanced perspective: Interns provide a positive energy and new ideas, enabling other employees to focus their talents on higher level tasks.

> Future employment advantage: You will gain a future employment advantage by potentially introducing quality graduates to your organisation.

> Access new markets: Our students are very diverse as they come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds. Tapping into their market specific knowledge may prove to be beneficial to your business, so why not do so? We currently have strong numbers in the Asian market.

> Cost effective: There are no charges to your business and you benefit from the students. Additionally, the interns are fully insured by the University.

> Develop positive links with the University: You could form valuable links with the University and benefit from the latest research in your field of business.

What do we expect from you?All we would need is a short project description/outline from you, detailing the project and tasks the student can expect to assist with.

A simple guide:

> An intern generally spends on average two days per week working in the organisation over 10 weeks.

They would usually undertake a general mix of tasks such as:

> 50% Project work: which includes the research and writing of a report of use to the organisation.

> 40% Observation client work: which includes attending office meetings, board meetings, client meetings with supervisor, shadowing supervisor, researching clients, follow-up work and support work for placement supervisor.

> 10% Clerical work: which includes administrative duties, such as filing, answering phones, and general reception duties.

Additionally, we require you to provide the intern with resources and facilities to undertake their internship, ensure that you do a full OH&S workplace induction on the interns’ first day, provide the student

Expectations

with appropriate supervision and direction, and be prepared to comment on the skills and abilities of the student as part of the internship review process.

How do we help you select interns?We match and shortlist suitable students, and you can meet and select the final candidate.

What does it cost and are interns paid?It’s free to participate in the Internship Program. All we do request is that you provide the intern with a space to work, and the facilities and resources they need to undertake their internship. As well as investing some time to guide and provide feedback to the student.

Supervisors are expected to have general oversight and responsibility for work undertaken by students as they would in the case of any work experience placement. We do understand that some organisations would like to pay their interns and this is also okay, but not a requirement.

Are interns guaranteed?No, interns are not guaranteed, however we do guarantee to do everything we can to find you a suitable intern for the nature of your projects and fit of your business.

Are interns insured?Yes, interns are fully insured by the University.

We will provide public liability, travel and personal accident insurance to the student.

But, the University is not liable for any negligent act or omission on the part of the host organisation that results in injury to, or loss or damage of personal property of

a student, and organisations must have a Certificate of Currency for the purpose of Public Liability.

What types of organisations participate in the internship program?

> Government

> Private organisations

> Public organisations

> Not for profit organisations

Large, medium or small, all are welcome to participate!

Past industry partnersPlease head to our website to see who we’ve collaborated with in the past: adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/

‘The internship program has been greatly beneficial for Wine Australia, the intern and my own personal development. Having to explain why and how a piece of work is done helps focus and improve the final product. It has also helped develop my leadership skills.’ Mark Rowley Wine Australia

‘A highlight was rubbing shoulders with the partners, and senior staff and building those critical connections . I would highly recommend an internship with the university higher than many other opportunities. ’ Beau Brug

Bachelor of Laws and International Studies

Interned at Price Waterhouse and Coopers (PWC)

For further enquiriesInternships Office Faculty of the Professions The University of Adelaide SA 5005 Australia

Telephone: +61 8 83134 755 Email: internships.professions@adelaide.edu.au

adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/

DISCLAIMER: The information in this publication is current as at the date of printing and is subject to change. You can find updated information on our website at adelaide.edu.au With the aim of continual improvement the University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the degrees, diplomas, certificates and courses on offer. As a result the specific programs and courses available will change from time to time. Please refer to adelaide.edu.au for the most up to date information or contact us on 1800 061 459. The University of Adelaide assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information provided by third parties.

CRICOS 00123M © The University of Adelaide. Published June 2017