Through placements, internships and organisation-based projects, UniSA Creative students can prepare for the workforce by applying their skills and knowledge in a real-world context.
Collaboration between the University of South Australia and industry is an integral part of ensuring our graduates are work-ready and have strong, globally relevant skills. The University also understands that professionals within host organisations play a vital role in contributing to the communication and creative industries in Australia and around the world.
Students available for internships or projects come from a range of disciplines within UniSA Creative such as:
- Communication and Media
- Journalism and Professional Writing
- Film and Television (Media Production, Film and Television, Animation and Web Design)
- Creative Industries
Build
Lay the foundations of employability and strong work ethic
Bridge
Help to build the bridge between the classroom and the workplace
Benefit
Gain a fresh perspective and innovative assistance
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About internships
An internship student will work within your organisation for a minimum of 80 hours. Internships are generally unpaid with working days and hours negotiable between the student and the organisation.
Students should be supervised by, and have a mentoring-style relationship with a senior person who has a skill set relevant to that of the particular student. The supervisor must be available during the internship working hours on a daily basis for guidance as well as regular feedback.
Tasks given to students should be meaningful and appropriate to their level of skill (ideally equivalent to graduate-level position). Administration and non-relevant tasks should be kept to no more than 10% of the entire duration of the internship.
For further information and to see if your organisation fits the University’s requirements, please review the criteria below.
Organisations wishing to express their interest in hosting a UniSA intern are encouraged to register their interest.
Criteria for hosting an intern
- Provision of a supervisor with relevant 5+ years experience and/or qualifications; or at the discretion of the University
- Allocation of relevant and meaningful tasks/projects appropriate to the skills and experience of the intern – no more than 10% clerical or non-related tasks
- The appropriate workload for the intern for the period of the internship (80 hours minimum)
- Ability to provide guidance and advice in the form of verbal, instantaneous feedback as well as at least 2 or more formal feedback sessions
- Provision of a working environment which is conducive to developing the intern’s knowledge of the profession in an organisation with an appropriate level of activity in the relevant discipline
- Opportunities for the intern to observe or take place in meetings, seminars and training sessions being conducted by other members of the team (desirable)
- Provision of appropriate work facilities such as desk, computer, etc.
- In addition to the above, meeting the general WHS requirements and guidelines for internships
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About projects
A project is a planned body of work provided by an organisation to an individual student or team of students that results in the delivery of an agreed, tangible outcome. Students are briefed by the organisation and then expected to work independently, outside of the organisation, to complete the project within two to three months.
The organisation is expected to provide a liaison person who can work with the student/s to progress the project. At least one progress meeting should be scheduled with the organisation to monitor and provide formative feedback, and a final meeting to deliver the outcomes should also be arranged. Projects can involve a single student, a team of students from the same skill stream, or a collaboration of students from a range of skill streams. Students taking part in a project are generally unpaid.
Each student should work for a minimum of 80 hours on their project-specific tasks and projects are generally unpaid. The relationship between a student or team and the organisation is similar to that of a client/agency process in the way the goals and outcomes are briefed, monitored and delivered.
Organisations wishing to register their interest in working with a UniSA student individual or team should register their interest below.
Criteria for hosting a project
- Provide project brief or work with the student/s to develop brief
- Meet student/s at a minimum of three times during the course of the project
- Provide feedback report at the conclusion of the project
- Allocation of the project appropriate to the skills and experience of the student/s, relevant to their discipline area
- Provision of appropriate workload for the student/s for the period of the project (80 hours minimum)
- Provision of specialised equipment and tools if not available at UniSA
The process
UniSA staff can provide support for employers at all stages of the internship hosting experience. Information is provided to assist employers to find a student, set tasks, manage the experience and reflect on the outcomes achieved.
FAQs
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What are the benefits of hosting an intern or project student?
The benefits of hosting internship or project students include:
- Assistance during busy periods and with large projects
- Bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the organisation
- Having the opportunity to assess future talent
- Contributing to the development of the industry
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What are my obligations as a host employer?
Internships and projects are more than simply ‘work experience’ for the student. They provide an opportunity for both professional and personal development, and are designed to supplement the student’s academic studies. Within these broad parameters, the student and organisation will engage in discussions to plan and agree on the goals and objectives to be achieved within set time frames. Organisations are asked to:
- Allocate challenging tasks and responsibilities, which are within the capability of the individual student/s
- Adhere to WHS guidelines and the Fair Work Act 2009 (for Australian-based organisations)
- Supervise student work and/or provide professional advice and guidance in accordance with learning objective agreed at the beginning of the internship or project
- Provide written feedback at the end of the internship/project
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What is the difference between an internship and project?
Internships consist of students working on-site as part of an organisation during a minimum of 80 hours. Internships are generally unpaid and are formally assessed. Working days and hours are flexible and entirely negotiable between the student and the organisation. Students are expected to be supervised by and have a mentoring-style relationship with a senior person in a role, which relates to the discipline of the particular student. The supervisor must be available to the student for guidance as well as regular feedback. Tasks given to students should be meaningful and appropriate to their level of skill. Administration and non-relevant tasks should be kept to no more than 10% of the entire duration of the internship.
A project is a planned body of work provided by an employer to an individual student or team of students that results in the delivery of an agreed, tangible outcome. Projects are formally assessed and can involve either a single discipline or a collaboration of disciplines offered within the University. The project consists of students working off-site for a minimum of 80 hours (for each individual), however, the employer is expected to meet with the students on at least three occasions to brief, monitor and evaluate the progress. Projects are generally unpaid. The project should be guided by a manager who is suitably experienced in the relevant discipline area/s. Tasks within the project should be meaningful and appropriate to the student’s level of skills.
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How do I find the right type of student/s for the work I need completed?
Host employers may select interns or project students from a number of different specialisations. In most cases, a student may have skills across a number of different specialisations. If not, host organisations may host more than one student to form a multi-disciplinary team. If you have any doubts or queries, please contact us to discuss your options.
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Do I qualify to host an intern or project student?
In order to provide our students with the best quality learning experience, and to ensure host organisations gain the most out of the process, we have outlined a number of screening criteria for host organisations wishing to recruit internship and project students.
If you are not able to meet our internship or project criteria, offering a non-assessed, work experience opportunity is still a possibility. For Australian-based organisations, please visit Career Services for more information.
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What support will I receive as a host employer?
UniSA staff can provide support for employers at all stages of the experience. Information is provided to assist employers to find an intern, set tasks, manage the experience and reflect on the outcomes achieved. Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
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Am I able to host a student for the less or more than the 80 hours that is required?
The minimum requirement for internships and projects is 80 hours per student, regardless of whether they are working individually or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. There is flexibility, however, for students to work beyond these hours if necessary. This must be discussed and negotiated between the host employer, the student and the University.
If the type of work you have in mind will not require 80 hours and you are in Australia, you may still be able to host a student through the Work Placement Scheme offered by the University’s Career Services. This allows students to gain non-assessed, work experience opportunities that are less restricted by duration as well as other requirements.
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Am I able to host a student outside the academic calendar?
Ideally, internships and projects should take place within the academic calendar (Study Period 2: February to June, and Study Period 5: July to November). However, there is some flexibility in hosting students outside this period if it better suits your needs. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
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Are students covered by the University’s insurance?
The University of South Australia’s Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and Personal Accident insurance covers all Australian-based students, who:
- are currently enrolled;
- are undertaking an assessed internship or project, or non-assessed work experience; opportunity, approved by the University;
- have obtained a signature from the host organisation via the University’s FS23 Insurance Form; and
- are receiving no remuneration of any kind.
Students are required to provide written proof to their host organisation that they are covered by the above insurance. Students undertaking internships or projects interstate or overseas are still covered under this insurance. If the host organisation wishes to offer remuneration for the student’s internship or placement work, then it becomes the responsibility of the organisation to arrange the appropriate insurance cover.
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Are there any confidentiality agreements in place to protect my organisation’s privacy or intellectual property?
We recognise that your organisation may be working with sensitive material and the involvement of University staff and students could be of concern to you. All students and staff are expected to adhere to any confidentiality agreement statements provided by an organisation. Any work produced as a result of an internship or placement will be treated as commercial-in-confidence by the academic supervisor and will not be used for any other purpose unless permission is granted in writing by the organisation.
