Biannual Industry to Student Speed Networking Event
We set a new record across our 2024 events with a combined 700+ students and industry in the room connecting.
Looking ahead to 2025, the April event will be a blockbuster in collaboration with UniSA STEM and then the September event we have some ideas in the work to put on something special for our last event as UniSA.
Next event is Tuesday 15th April 2025, registrations now open - click here for more information on our dedicated event page.
This video outlines how the networking events came about and what we are trying to achieve through them, a big thank you to Ashlee Milverton from Beyond Bank, and Bianca Romano from Serco, for their participation - both alumni of the internship program:
Seeking Placement Opportunities for March 2025 cohort
We're now seeking opportunities for the March 2025 cohort across all Business disciplines. If you have a great idea for a placement or want to learn more reach out for a chat - business.internships@unisa.edu.au. Alternatively simply send in your Project Brief(s) using the template below.
For all the Key Dates across 2025, check out our 2-page summary of Key Information, Dates & FAQs.
Monthly eNews
We send a very concise monthly eNewsletter to our industry partner mailing list, highlighting important updates and keeping you appraised of upcoming key dates.
Not on the mailing list? Email us at business.internships@unisa.edu.au
UniSA Business adding value to your organisation
The UniSA Business Internship Program gives organisations access to a fresh perspective and knowledge that can assist in their workplace. Employers and companies can host UniSA undergraduate and postgraduate students who will spend up to 30 days in a workplace, depending on the course they are enrolled in. This time is generally spread over a 10-12 week period, however it could also be done as an intensive (i.e. five days per week). The key is finding the balance between student and the organisation, ensuring the student is able to balance other study, work and life commitments.
Hosting a student placement could involve a particular project or a more observational opportunity, giving students experience in multiple areas of the business.
We support placements undertaken working remotely, recognising that most placements have some remote work aspects already to support a flexible approach. If you have any questions please email business.internships@unisa.edu.au.
Benefits for your organisation
- Access to motivated students who will bring knowledge of current trends, theories, techniques and ideas
- Identify potential new employees
- Develop mentoring and supervision capabilities of current workforce
- Form valuable links with UniSA Business for future collaborations with students and/or research
Connect
Access motivated students with knowledge of current trends, theories and techniques
Collaborate
Form valuable links with UniSA for future student or research collaborations
Contribute
Develop the mentoring and supervision capabilities of your current employees
Key information for employers
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Host Organisation Documents
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Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations
Download the Key Information, Dates and FAQs for hosting a business student placement.
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General Project Brief Template
Download a general project brief template for your organisation. Alternatively you can use one of Project Brief Exemplars that have been pre-populated with some common language to make it easier for you.
These templates work best if you download to your computer before entering text.
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Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations
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Project Brief Exemplars
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Accounting Firm - Audit
Download a project brief exemplar for Accounting Firm - Audit.
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Accounting Firm - Mixed
Download a project brief exemplar for Accounting Firm - Mixed
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Financial Planning
Download a project brief exemplar for Financial Planning
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Human Resources Management (HRM)
Download a project brief exemplar for Human Resources Management (HRM).
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Management Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for Management Accounting.
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Marketing
Download a project brief exemplar for marketing.
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Procurement
Download a project brief exemplar for procurement.
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Project Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for project accounting.
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Property Valuation
Download a project brief exemplar for property valuation.
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Regional Placement
Download a project brief exemplar for Regional Placements.
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Tax Accounting
Download a project brief exemplar for Tax Accounting.
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Accounting Firm - Audit
Hear from our Industry Partners
Click on the plus signs below to hear responses to the following questions from industry partners
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Why did you choose to approach UniSA for interns?
I am a past student of Uni SA, so I knew of the Bachelor of Business course and the various majors on offer. I had also had experience with previous companies I had worked that had also successfully leveraged interns for placements and eventually opportunity to hire them on a full-time basis was their placement was successfully completed.
Antonio Piscitelli
Head of Commercial
Synergy -
What has been the best part of working with UniSA Business Internships?
Their desire to learn and take on tasks that provide them with real world problems to solve for businesses such as ours with a fresh set of ideas and access to the theory and research they have applied across their course.
Antonio Piscitelli
Head of Commercial
Synergy -
What impressed you the most about working with UniSA students?
Level of professionalism and planning of their time across Study and working with us. There was a high level of collaboration both online and face to face, and working remotely to get some of the work actioned which was exactly what businesses are looking to enough from a flexible working arrangement.
Antonio Piscitelli
Head of Commercial
Synergy -
What results have you experienced in your organisation by having a UniSA student?
We have been able to complete several tasks that would have taken us more time to complete and taken us offline from our business as usual and day to day operations. This has enabled us to set aside for Orion to work on strategic tasks that potentially would have fallen away from our focus.
Antonio Piscitelli
Head of Commercial
Synergy -
What would you say to any organisation considering hosting a UniSA student internship?
Ensure you have a clear plan and tasks that you want to achieve in the allocated time. The students are not there for admin and mundane tasks, ensure you apply their discipline to your strategic outcomes and offer them the guidance of your team and your leadership. Give them meaningful tasks.
Antonio Piscitelli
Head of Commercial
Synergy
FAQs
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What is the impact of COVID-19?
The Business Internship Team remains fully operational. Student placements are still proceeding and we are working with students and hosts to adjust any current placements as required, in order to meet any amended work arrangements implemented by host organisations.
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Can students undertake an internship working remotely?
The simple answer is yes, we have a long history of students working remotely during their internship. We are also implementing more preparation activities for students to help them adjust to the likelihood that their placement will be undertaken remotely.
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When is the next cohort?
See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.
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What options are there for hosting an intern?
We have three pathways for students to gain an internship:
- Open is when we source opportunities and advertise them to students, who then complete the application process with the final step being a personal interview.
- Self-Placement is when students source their own placement and we facilitate the paperwork.
- Facilitated is a new concept we launched recently, whereby we connect industry hosts with students at our networking events. Our next event has been tentatively scheduled for September 2020.
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What are the overall timelines for the coming year?
See latest information in the Key Information, Dates & FAQs for Host Organisations available for download above.
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How long are internships?
Internships are either 15, 30 or 45 days in duration. These are commonly done part-time to balance the student's other commitments and the needs of your organisation, however, can be done in a continuous block of days. Internships of 15 (65%) or 30 (34%) days are most popular to students as they count for some courses but allow some flexibility to take other study options.
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What are the costs to a host organisation?
The Business Internship Program provides course-assessed unpaid internships that meet the requirements of 'legally unpaid' placements under the Fair Work Act 2009. The main cost to the host organisation is staff time needed to plan the internship opportunity and to mentor the intern. The more time spent planning and inducting, the better the placement outcome.
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What disciplines are the students studying?
The Business Internship Program has students from the following discipline areas seeking placements:
- Commerce: accounting, finance, economics, finance and trade, financial planning
- Marketing, communications
- Management, business management, information strategy and management
- Human resource management
- Property
- Tourism and event management
- Sport and recreation
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Arts and cultural management
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
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Are the internship students moving towards the end of their degree?
Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can undertake an internship. Many have already done other work or volunteer placements, and/or have studied overseas.
Undergraduate students will be at least in their third year of study. Postgraduate students will be in their second year, which for most students is their final year of study.
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Who covers the insurance?
The University of South Australia provides Professional Indemnity, Personal Liability and Personal Accident cover for all students undertaking an approved unpaid internship.
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Can we offer paid placements?
We can support students to utilise their paid placement as a self-sourced placement for their course. As this would make them an employee of your organisation, we would ask for a copy of the employment agreement to confirm they are insured and confirm your acknowledgement that they will be submitted assessments based on their experience.
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If I submit a proposal, am I guaranteed an intern?
We aim to find a balance between the number of internships offered and available students. There is no guarantee, however we will work with you to refine your internship offering so that it is attractive to students and meets your organisational need.
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How can I get involved in the networking activities for facilitated placements?
All host organisations are welcome to attend our structured speed-networking event tentatively schedulded for late September 2020. This will enable you to connect directly with students seeking placements and you can register through Eventbrite.
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Who can I contact for more information?
Please contact Daryl McMahon, Partner Engagement Manager: Internships to find out more.
Submit an expression of interest
Click below to submit your expression of interest to arrange a student internship within your organisation.
Are you a student interested in undertaking a placement in business?
Are you interested in a work integrated learning experience that enables you to apply the skills and knowledge gained from your business studies in a real workplace? Explore the placement and internships opportunities available to you.
Get in touch
Send an email to business.internships@unisa.edu.au
or contact one of our staff members for more information.
