Demystifying Graduate Programmes and Work Placements

There are many different ways - formal and informal - to gain the precious work place experience that employers desire from graduates. Read on to find out about the three most common options at AUT.

INTERNSHIPS

Internships are learning opportunities in a workplace. Large organisations tend to offer very structured internships, while small to medium businesses tend to offer more informal opportunities. Ideally an internship will include mentoring.

An internship is a short term temporary work experience opportunity that you do over a set period of time. It may be paid or unpaid with flexible hours (weekends, evenings, hours during the week). You can do an internship while you are studying or shortly after graduation but it should not go on indefinitely.

Ideally you’ll work on a project or help with the general workload so you are developing your employability and technical skills as well as experiencing that work environment.

Before starting an internships, you should discuss the hours of work expected of you by the employer so you both have a clear understanding of what is required.

ALERT: The cost and responsibility of health & safety and workplace requirements can sometimes be a reason why an employer may turn down your offer to do an unpaid internship.

WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE ... WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING ...
CO-OPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OP)

Workplace experience is often a compulsory paper within the second or final year of an AUT course of study giving you academic credits. You get a placement in an organisation for a specific length of time, usually to work on a project or on tasks that will further develop your skills within a particular area of the organisation. BUT you should not be there as a glorified filer or coffee maker. You are there to apply what you have been learning to a real-world setting.

Generally, as a student you are mentored by a workplace supervisor and an AUT academic and must do an assignment (often a large report) at the end of the placement. The work placement can be paid or unpaid.

Faculties don’t have long lists of organisations offering work placements so it is important to start building your networks early to make sure you know of a wide range of employers and organisations to approach when looking for a placement.

It can also be helpful to think about possible projects or activities you could do that would be innovative for the employer and also further develop your skill set. Then, when you are approaching employers about a work integrated learning or co-op position, you have projects and ideas to suggest to them. At the very least, this gives you ideas to talk about with an employer.

First step

The first thing to do is talk to your course work integrated learning or co-op coordinator and attend their workshops so you are very clear about the requirements of the experience. Then come see us.

ALERT: It’s important that you communicate clearly about the opportunities you’re looking for when you approach employers so they understand what you want and need.  Ask for help from Employability and Careers if you're not feeling confident.

GRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Graduate programmes are usually formal training programmes within organisations that are designed to give students experience within the organisation - while also developing your skills and experience. Graduate programmes run for a set period and usually include training and mentoring. They may include rotations through different sections of the organisation, depending on its size. A lot of medium to large firms offer graduate programmes to attract talent. It can be a really supportive way to enter the workforce.in bigger organisations because you're usually employed alongside a group of other graduates.

Some graduate programmes are highly competitive - so having proof of work experience, part time work and volunteering can make a big difference to your chances so think carefully about including these activities into your study life.

ALERT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Until the introduction  of the 3 year open work visa for international students in 2018, international students often missed out on graduate programmes because of visa limitations. The time limit has changed now but some employers will not be aware that international students can now participate in graduate programmes. This means it is important that you let employers know you have a three year open work visa once you graduate.

TAKE HEART...

If an employer doesn’t have the capacity to offer an internship or graduate role, they may be able to offer other job opportunities such as part-time or fixed contracts.  So, persevere, be patient, open and flexible.

Written by Rebecca Du, Student Employability career specialist