Employers are looking for graduates with work experience who can quickly play a significant role and help the organisation achieve its objectives. Undertaking a work placement component as part of your USC degree helps you prepare to meet these expectations.
Workplace Learning (WPL) is an elective course that provides a valuable transition from university to your professional life. WPL provides an opportunity for students in the final year of their program to obtain academic credit for a course at university at the same time as gaining valuable experience in the workplace. WPL provides the opportunity to put theory into practice, develop a range of essential skills sought by employers, establish a work history and create networking contacts.
Opportunities
Students undertake a diverse range of placements according to their program, career path and interests. Placements may be undertaken either locally, interstate or overseas according to your program and placement availability.
Placements are available in the following areas:
- Animal ecology
- Biomedical science
- Environmental Management
- Environmental science
- Science
Visit Managing your progression for instructions on how to check whether you have room in your program for a WPL course.
Animal ecology
Students may seek their own organisation for placement or request assistance from TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au for recommended organisations and contacts. USC Short Term Study Overseas opportunities are available in Session 1 and 4.
Biomedical
Students are able to select from 10 week block (full-time) placements in Sleep Diagnostics, Cardiac Science and Respiratory Science in selected major hospitals in the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane region. Placements may also be undertaken in nominated research facilities in south-east Queensland.
All Biomedical placements must be organised 6 to 12 months in advance with the Biomedical placement coordinator.
Environmental Management
Students will have the opportunity in your final year to undertake a work placement giving you necessary practical experience to enter the job market or pursue further studies.
Environmental Science
Placements range from regional and state government departments, community groups, mining companies, and consultancies to animal rehabilitation. USC Study Overseas opportunities are available in Session 1 and 4.
Science
Science placements are based upon your major, career path and interests. Students may seek their own organisation for placement.
Placement structure
Students undertaking WPL have the option of completing work integrated learning appropriate to their discipline area in the form of industry work placements. Common durations of the work placements are:
Placements are available during semesters 1 and 2 as well as sessions 1, 4 and 8.
Applications
Applications for domestic placement are required to be submitted at least 2 months prior to the respective session or semester for placement.
Short Term Study Overseas placements require 6 months notice and interested students must have a GPA4.5 and above and must contact the WPL Course Coordinator or TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au for an interview.
Remuneration and insurance
No remuneration or payment is made by the host organisations to the students or to the University for hosting a student. Students undertaking an approved placement are covered by the University’s insurance policies.
Mandatory checks
Each placement has inherent requirements that may be specified by the host organisation and/or USC to enable you to undertake placement. Requirements may include but are not restricted to: construction card, criminal history check, immunisation, current first aid certificate and Blue Card (working with children check).
Assessment
Students are required to set learning objectives and maintain a daily reflective journal on their placement experience which will be assessed by the WPL Course Coordinator. Your placement supervisor will also complete a report on your activities and performance.
More information
WPL information sessions are held throughout the year and all eligible students are notified via USC email. Alternatively students can contact TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au to register their interest or request further information.
Contact
WPL Staff are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, for more information or to request a WPL Information Pack email: TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au.