Guidelines

Timelines

An internship is available to undergraduate students in their third year of study, and during their final trimester for postgraduate students. Please refer to the online handbook entry relevant to your internship unit for specific timeframes.

Actual dates for the internship are negotiated with the host organisation as part of the application process. Students should consider the effect on their other studies.

Final approval is subject to satisfactory completion of the application process, and is required prior to enrolment.

Identifying the right internship

Staff within the Faculty continue to build and develop ongoing relationships with potential host organisations. Suggestions and tips for sourcing a suitable host organisation may be provided by the Unit Chair and Experiential Learning Officer, however, as part of the overall learning experience students are responsible for negotiating and gaining final approval for their internship.

This process requires planning and persistence.

It is important for students to clearly identify their interests from the initial planning stages. There are hundreds of potential host organisations out there, and it is important that the student is able to pin-point those of greatest interest.

To assist in identifying a potential host organisation, students may:

• search the internet;
• approach organisations whose business is in the area of interest;
• speak with academic staff;
• speak with other students;
• approach family and friends; and
• speak with the Faculty's academic and professional staff.

Before making an approach to a potential host organisation, students should:

• fully research the organisation;
• understand what is involved of them both academically and administratively; and
• identify an appropriate contact person within the organisation

Students should consider the following as they negotiate a placement with a suitable host organisation:

• working hours;
• to whom do they report to within the organisation;
• duties/task specifications; and
• prior research or other preparation

Approaching potential host organisations and securing a placement

Once you have identified possible host organisations you need to make the initial approach. It is strongly recommended that you make this approach via the phone as more often than not you will receive a definitive answer immediately.

Start the conversation by letting the potential host know you are hoping to gain some industry experience to complement your studies, and then ask if they would be willing to take you on for a volunteer placement. You may then be asked to provide a written application, including a resume, or invited to come in for an interview. If successful you should then finalise the dates and hours of your placement.

Further information and tips to secure a placement can be found at: www.deakin.edu.au/careers/WIL

Duty of care

Deakin University has a duty of care to all students undertaking a unit of study away from their nominated campus. This duty extends to internships.

To ensure a duty of care is maintained, the credentials of any potential host organisation must be verified prior to entering any negotiations.

Supervision, progress and monitoring

During the internship there is regular contact between the academic supervisor and the student. The Experiential Learning Officer also has periodic contact with the host organisation supervisor, but much of the liaison is through the student.

As part of the internship, the student will maintain a journal, which is submitted via email or DSO to the academic supervisor. The journalling provides for ongoing communication, feedback, reflection and continuous improvement.

Journal entries should comment on:

• the duties/tasks the student has been engaged in;
• how the placement, as a whole, is developing;
• the extent to which anticipated outcomes are/are not eventuating; and
• what, if any, benefits the student sees emerging

The academic supervisor monitors the journal at least weekly.

Evaluation

At the end of the internship the student completes an evaluation on their experience. The host organisation supervisor also completes an evaluation as to the student's overall performance.

These evaluations are analysed as part of the Faculty's continuous improvement processes.