2009 Australian Graduate Survey

The results of this survey became available in July and relate to students who completed their course at the end of 2008 and graduated in 2009. The survey itself has two components: the Graduate Destination Survey (GDS) and Course Evaluation Questionnaire (CEQ). The former asks about graduates' current employment and further study; the latter asks about their learning experience whilst at university.

Briefly, the GDS showed that after steady improvement in the rate of employment between 2005 and 2008, Deakin's employment rate fell in 2009. There was a similar trend in Victoria and nationally, but despite excellent outcomes in areas such as Nursing, Architecture, Engineering, Education and Commerce, Deakin's fall was slightly greater.

Deakin has always been committed to actively and creatively assisting its graduates to secure employment in their chosen fields and the following initiatives are designed to achieve this and improve our GDS results:

Work Integrated Learning - Associate Professor Dineli Mather has been appointed as the University's Director of Work Integrated Learning (WIL). This is the first appointment of its kind and will energise and coordinate the programs Deakin offers to enhance students' employment related skills by providing them with work related experience during their course.

Careers and Employment - The Careers and Employment team within the Division of Student Life are redoubling their efforts to prepare our students for work and promote them to prospective employers. Further information about their activities is set out below.

Postgraduate Study and Scholarships - A new postgraduate study and scholarships site is being developed to provide information about the opportunities that exist for undertaking further study after your initial Deakin degree has been completed.

The CEQ results were very pleasing, continuing the trend of steady improvement that has occurred since 2005. Furthermore, Deakin improved its comparative rankings against its bench marking partners (moving from 4th, 3rd and 2nd position in the three categories in the CEQ in 2008 to 2nd place in all three categories in 2009) and its overall national rankings. Nevertheless, University is continuing to focus attention on improving its teaching and the student learning experience and we anticipate further improvement in the future.

Services and initiatives to help YOU secure employment

Deakin's Careers and Employment team offer the following to all students at each Campus:

1. Help with job applications: you can -

• Talk through what is expected in a job application with careers staff, or find out how to put together a letter of application, resume and statement against selection criteria.
• Have your job application checked before you send it.
• Find out what to expect at a job interview and how to perform well - careers staff are available to brief you and even provide a 'mock' interview.
• Access the hidden job market, learn the tips and techniques of tapping into hidden jobs.
  Access online help with your job applications.

2. Experience to boost your employability: you can -

• Grab a free copy of the 'Internships and Work Experience' booklet or attend the regular workshops on how to find a work experience placement.
• Get connected with the local community as well as building your skills and confidence by volunteering. Regularly check Jobshop for volunteer opportunities.
• Get recognised for your volunteer work and skill development and get involved in leadership activities. Dukes is a structured self challenge that will show employers what you are 'made of' Find out more at Duke of Edinburgh Award. Access information on all these services by calling into your Careers Centre on Campus or online.

3. Jobshop - Your interface with employers

The Jobshop offers an online jobs notice board and stages careers and jobs fairs on campus enabling you to find out which employers are recruiting and speak to them directly. Jobshop provides -

• Employment opportunities: graduate, vacation, international, degree related jobs (part-time and temporary), work experience and employment scholarships.
• Events: employer recruitment presentations, careers fairs, industry networking events and employment preparation workshops.
• Career resources: fact sheets, links, news and frequently asked questions.

To gain the full benefit of these services, please register with Jobshop.

4. Career mentoring and information interviewing

Final year and postgraduate students can find out more about their intended career and boost their employment prospects by connecting with one of Deakin's Alumni.

5. Jobs, Work Experience and Volunteer Fairs

Held for the first time in August 2010 on the Melbourne Campus at Burwood, the Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds and the Warrnambool Campus, these Fairs provided you with a great opportunity to build your skills and connect you to employers and local communities. Over 120 organisations and 2300 attended this year's events.

6. "Interview Gold" coming soon

Coming online in Trimester 3 2010, Interview Gold is an online interview simulation tool that allows you to practice your interview skills and access expert tutorial help. Keep an eye on the Careers section of this site at for further news.