Preparing for and securing an internship
Prepare early and effectively for the ENGR90033 or CHEN90028 internship subject to increase the likelihood of securing an opportunity.
Sourcing your own internship?
You should spend time to create or update your application documents and plan and research to find opportunities.
Applying for a uni-sourced internship?
You should spend time to create or update your application documents and prepare for interviews.
Create or update your application documents
Internship employers will be interested in the skills and experiences you have gained so far through your studies and elsewhere. You should use your application documents to convey your experiences. Importantly, you should tailor your resume and cover letters for each position you apply for.
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What should my resume include?
You should make sure that your resume includes:
- Your education history
- Any industry experience
- Your achievements (e.g. awards won or projects you’ve contributed to)
- Technical skills
- Transferable skills you can bring to the role (e.g. communication or working in a team)
If you're looking for an international internship outside of Australia, it is important to research and tailor your application documents for the local job market in the country where you are applying. The requirements for documents such as resumes vary by country.
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How can I add to my resume?
There are many things you can do to boost your knowledge, experience and skills. To ensure you put an effective application forward, why not consider if you need to add to your resume by:
- Undertaking some volunteer work
- Working in a part time or casual role
- Joining and contributing to a professional association
- Getting active in your professional student club
- Brushing up on skills in demand in your industry
- Practising your written and spoken communication skills
- Keeping up to date with developments in your industry
Set up a plan a semester prior to when you expect to undertake your internship and upskill in areas where you have gaps.
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Where can I get help with creating or developing my resume?
As a University of Melbourne student, you have access to a range of resources and information on resumes via Careers and Employability. We recommend checking out:
- The Resume Builder (via EmployMe)
- The Smart Resume tool - have your existing resume reviewed instantaneously
Plan and research to find opportunities
Sourcing a position for the internship subject can feel daunting, but it need not be. There are strategies you can put in place to help you find that perfect opportunity.
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I want to find my own internship - how should I go about this?
Self-sourcing an internship will involve you contacting potential companies and people to explore possible opportunities. Before you start doing this, it is important that you spend some time creating a targeted approach by identifying industries, companies, projects and/or contacts of interest. This will assist you in being clear about what you are looking for and will additionally help you to build knowledge of possible careers in your discipline area. You will make a better impression when you are contacting industry professionals if you are well-informed and clear about what you are hoping to achieve.
Remember to include small to medium businesses in your research. Often, they don’t have the resources to promote formal internship programs but can offer you a great internship experience. In Australia, there are around 2 million businesses and most of them employ less than 200 employees!
If you are seeking an internship for either the ENGR90033 or CHEN90028 internship subjects, make sure you are clear about the subject requirements before you start contacting organisations about possible positions. Read up on self-sourced internships in Australia and self-sourced international internships.
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Are there any resources to help with my internship search?
Yes! As a University of Melbourne student, you have access to a range of resources and information on job search strategies via Careers and Employability. We recommend checking out:
- The How to get an Internship module (via the Careers & Employability Canvas Community)
- E-learning resources (via EmployMe) including Help! I need to apply for an internship
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University-sourced internships
Students eligible for the ENGR90033 and CHEN90028 internship have the opportunity to access domestic and international university-sourced internships via the Engineering and IT Internship Portal.
The Portal lists positions available through our network of industry connections and includes large corporations as well as smaller start-ups. Positions relevant to multiple disciplines are advertised here.
Note: International university-sourced internships are only available in Summer Term.
Learn more about applying for university-sourced internships
Prepare for interviews
Attending interviews can feel nerve-wracking. It's important to spend time practicing and preparing beforehand, to increase the likelihood of a successful interview.
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What can I do to prepare?
- Study the organisation’s website or look for articles about the organisation in the media
- Re-read your application
- Review the selection criteria and ensure you can provide interesting examples to demonstrate the skills that are listed
- Prepare some questions to ask your interviewer at the end of your interview
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What help is available to me for interview preparation?
As a University of Melbourne student, you have access to a range of resources and information on preparing for interviews via Careers and Employability. We recommend checking out:
- Preparing for Interviews module (via the Careers and Employability Canvas Community)
- Interview 360 - practice your interview techniques
Resources, Support and Workshops
The Faculty of Engineering and IT (FEIT) and Careers and Employability have a range of resources and workshops to help with the process of securing an internship.
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FEIT Experience Series
Workshops and information sessions aimed to improve your professional skills and industry connections. Includes industry networking, alumni presentations and more.
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Careers and Employability Workshops
Workshops for resume and cover letter writing, job search, promoting your skills for employment, interview preparation and practice, networking and more.
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Online Platforms
A suite of useful tools including Smart Resume, EmployMe, Careers Online and the Careers and Employability Canvas Community
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Your Work Rights
Whether you're a domestic or international student, make sure you're aware of the information and support available. If in any doubt, seek advice.