Real-world industry experience helps UNSW students build confidence and skills for the future. It also offers unique opportunities for organisations looking to tap into top talent.
Employability is not just about grades, it’s also about all the skills and attributes you can’t learn in a classroom. In the words of Vanessa Bakhos, Lead, Coaching & Development at UNSW Employability, “Employability is about the cultivation of a mindset – a readiness to adapt and thrive in a dynamic world.”
To cultivate this mindset and build the skills they need to thrive in their careers, students need real-life experience. That’s why UNSW partners with industry through tailored initiatives aimed at helping students hit the ground running when they start work, while giving industry partners access to a stream of top talent and fresh ideas.
To cultivate this mindset and build the skills they need to thrive in their careers, students need real-life experience. That’s why UNSW partners with industry through tailored initiatives aimed at helping students hit the ground running when they start work, while giving industry partners access to a stream of top talent and fresh ideas.
Research has shown that UNSW students are keen to engage with industry and they value the real-life skills they gain as a result of these opportunities.
Research consultancy Pollinate shares that in 2021 and 2022, 92% of UNSW students believe a successful career requires more than just academic knowledge, and 63% said they would be likely to participate in industry projects or placements. This research – created in collaboration with UNSW Employability – also reveals that gaining real-world experience and transferable skills are a priority for students at every stage of their degree, not just their final years.
Find out more about Pollinate's research findings in the video below.
We’re putting these insights to work, with excellent results demonstrated through our achievements. UNSW is ranked first in Australia for graduate employment outcomes, according to the QS World University Rankings. In February 2024, we were also named the AFR’s Most Employable University for the fifth consecutive year.
For businesses looking for top talent, this research has also shown that connecting with students early can be highly beneficial.
“Students are thinking broadly and considering a range of sectors for employment. And they’re engaging in opportunities at the beginning of their careers, so if businesses are looking to engage with top talent, they need to do it early,” said Jacky Health, Director at Pollinate.
One such student is Tea Maros. During her Bachelor of Exercise Physiology degree, she undertook work placement with two organisations – ACTIV8 and the Sydney Kings.
“Being able to liaise and communicate with other practitioners was super valuable to me. I gained the confidence to speak to different professions,” she said. “I got to liaise with coaches, players, physios and doctors. I also had to reach out to people I didn’t know on LinkedIn which helped my professional development immensely.”
View more of Tea's experience in the video below.
To meet employability needs, UNSW provides opportunities for students to connect with industry through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program. Students work directly with industry and community partners and gain credit towards their degree.
These project-based course opportunities can be arranged through the faculty as part of a student’s degree program.
Project-based WIL is a unique opportunity for industry partners to upskill teams on a live project and get fresh perspectives and insights. It’s also a chance to access and mentor high achievers that may one day become the future leaders of the business.
For David Provest, Client Engineering Leader at IBM Australia & New Zealand, partnering with UNSW on the CDEV3000/6000 Practice of Work course has been rewarding for both IBM and the students involved.
“Work Integrated Learning projects expose students to what we do on a day-to-day basis so they can understand our company and how we work with clients. But most importantly, we get to see the students in action, including how they present and do their research. It’s so much better than a traditional interview or a CV. And it gives us a pipeline of interns and graduates,” said David.
“Through Work Integrated Learning we get to see the students in action, including how they present and do their research. It’s so much better than a traditional interview or a CV. And it gives us a pipeline of interns and graduates.”
David Provest,
Client Engineering Leader at IBM Australia & New Zealand
At UNSW we believe in nurturing the aspirations of our students, and our industry partnerships are a valued part of that.
As well as WIL, there are a number of ways to get involved with UNSW as an industry partner, help students gain real-life work skills and connect with some of the brightest minds and top future talent.
For organisations and employers who are interested in learning more about partnering with UNSW, contact UNSW Employability for information on upcoming events and engagement activities. Students looking to gain work experience can also find opportunities through individual faculties, as part of WIL or separately.
Industry partners may want to get involved with our Co-op program which offers outstanding students up to 18 months of relevant industry experience. UNSW also offers UNSW Founders which organisations can support as a mentor or investor and help get some innovative ideas out into the world.
Below is the full recording of the UNSW Employability Summit presentation that took place on 14 March.
The Summit was UNSW’s event for industry partners to discover how to engage with students, gain insights on student employability, network with industry colleagues and meet the UNSW Employability and faculty teams.
This article was brought to you by UNSW Employability.