Internship Program
INTERNSHIP EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS
Internships and work placements play a crucial role in developing your employability and maximising your employment prospects.
CQUniversity's internship program is one key aspect of our career preparation support to deliver the best possible employment outcomes for our international students. We are proud that many of them ended up securing employment with their host organisations.
Our internships come at no additional cost or course duration and no GPA hurdle. And the best thing is we will find a suitable internship for you.
Top achievements
- Student placements have grown by approximately 50% year on year.
- Over 1000 international students have been placed.
- Placements are spread across the country: Brisbane, Melbourne, Rockhampton, Sydney and Perth, with new opportunities being explored in Cairns and regional Queensland.
- Students gain work experience in government, private sectors and the non-profit sector, with opportunities available in all organisation types from large multi-nationals to small family-owned business and innovative start-ups.
- Host organisations span engineering, IT and hospitality industries – from rail technology frontrunner to world leaders in data science and research, to eminent hotel chains and international aviation giants.
The growth we are seeing in enrolments in courses with internships are indicators that we are on the right path in terms of providing a platform for our students to gain invaluable work experience. The growth also shows that students have begun to place greater importance on the opportunity to gain work experience during their studies.
Courses with internships
- CC31 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- CC32 - Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering)
- CQ18 - Bachelor of Information Technology
- CG99 - Bachelor of Information Technology (Co-op)
- CL97 - Master of Business Administration (Global)
- CL21 - Master of Business Management
- CL83 - Master of Construction Management
- CV82 - Master of Engineering
- CC74 - Master of Management for Engineers
- CC53 - Master of Information Systems
- CC54 - Master of Information Technology
- CC57 - Master of Professional Accounting
- CV84 - Master of Project Management
In the 2021 International Student Barometer, our students have told us their experience at CQUniversity prepared them well for their career goals, placing us well above the Australian university average in their career goal preparation satisfaction. They were satisfied with career advice from staff, that their course would help them get a good job, and with making good contacts for the future.
- Working in an organisation in your area of study allows you to build networks in that field that may open doors for you in the future.
- Gain a competitive edge in the global job market and increase your chances of full-time employment once you graduate.
- Enhance and develop skills in teamwork, decision-making and communication while having the chance to put your academic knowledge into practice.
- Experience an understanding of Australian work practices and culture.
- The internship will give added value to your degree and at no extra cost.
- The internship is offered over a 10–12 week period. You will not be required to undertake any other units during this period, which means you will be able to concentrate on your internship and get the most from the experience.
- The duration of your degree is not extended, which means you can still complete your bachelor's degree in three years and your master's degree in two years.
- The internship is found for you by CQUniversity and our Internship Partners – market leaders in career development programs for international candidates.
- You will undertake the relevant prerequisite unit, which ensures you have the knowledge to succeed in an Australian working environment.
CQUniversity works with Internships Providers to source internships for eligible students.
Our providers have partnerships with thousands of host companies with opportunities to suit every discipline.
Previous host organisations have included:
- Asahi Australia
- Australian Grand Prix
- BHP
- Bitzer Australia
- Bombardier Australia
- Boral
- Daimler Mercedes Truck & Bus
- Endeavour Foundation Enterprises
- Finisar Australia
- Gold Coast Health
- Holcim Australia
- iBuild
- Komatsu
- Monash IVF
- PGH Bricks & Pavers
- QLD Tafe
- Racing Victoria
- Shebah
- Transdev
- Tritium
- Vacupack
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen
- Wesley Mission
- Westkon Precast
- Winslow Constructors
- multiple city councils
- eminent hotel chains
- and more.
We've been lucky enough to host a number of CQUniversity IT students. Seeing the way the students' confidence grows and how they transform into highly contributing members of their project teams is a truly rewarding experience.
Our students are involved in a range of projects to develop the necessary skills across the project delivery process and to ensure they understand how all the pieces fit together.
It's a great way for students to forge strong networks with local industry professionals too.
I believe a professional internship should be a mandatory component of every university degree.
– Shona Robson, CIO, CyQIQ
Follow the appropriate Internship Planner for your Course, you must have completed all other units prior to the term of the internship.
- Attend one of the 'How to Apply' sessions, conducted by the CQUniversity Internships team.
- Interested students need to submit the Student Internship Agreement by week two of the term prior to your internship.
- Once applications are received, the CQUniversity will assess your eligibility and allocate eligible students to an Internship Provider. This will be based on location, field of study and personal preference.
- Students will receive an email with all the necessary information and will need to submit the required documentation to the Internship Providers.
- CQUniversity and the selected Internship Provider will search for companies in your preferred industry from a network of over 3000 organisations.
- The Internship Provider will contact an appropriate company, negotiate on your behalf and set up an interview.
- The Internship Provider will coach you and host mock interviews to get your interview skills on point.
- You must then complete an interview with the selected organisation to be successfully placed. Don't worry, if you don't get it right the first time you are given two more chances to secure a position.
- Your internship begins.
During the internship
- The Internship Provider will assign you a dedicated Internship Program Supervisor and a workplace mentor who will monitor your training and provide one-on-one guidance and support throughout the course.
- During the internship, CQUniversity staff and academics are there to support you. There will be regular check-in points, assessment workshops and assessment pieces, plus evaluation forms that you and your workplace supervisor need to complete.
- Once your internship is finished, you will need to complete the final assessment piece and present your final report. In some cases, your workplace mentor/supervisor will be asked to attend.
For more information please email internships@cqu.edu.au.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
During the first term of study, students will be contacted via email to inform them of the Internships Program.
This email encourages interested students to contact the Course Advice team to develop a modified study plan that includes the internship. At the beginning of the term, prior to the internship term, students will be invited to apply for the internship via an email with a Student Internship Agreement form. This form must be completed and submitted by week two of the term prior to the internship term.
If a student has not received one of these emails or has been granted advanced standing, therefore altering their study plan, they should contact the Internship team to discuss the application process via internships@cqu.edu.au.
Students undertake the internship in the final term of their program as per schedules listed in the document ‘Internship scheduling’.
Students generally undertake the internship in the final term of study, with the exception of Master of Engineering (CV82) students. Please contact the Course Advice Team or access the correct study plan via the following Course Planners.
Yes, in most cases you will need to study in Term 3; however, if you have been granted advanced standing, you should discuss this with the Course Advice team.
For CV82 Master of Engineering, if the student has reduced study load or previous failed units, the student may require to undertake the internship unit in Term 3.
Yes, in most cases you can. However, if you are enrolled in a postgraduate Business program you must have at least two electives (12 credit points) available to undertake the internship.
You should keep this in mind when applying for credit/advanced standing and discuss your options with the Academic Pathways team and the Course Advice team
The are no extra fees to undertake the internship, you will pay the normal fee for a 12 credit point unit.
Note: the internship in School of Business and Law is taken in place of two 6 credit point elective units and in ICT and Project Management courses it replaces the 12 credit point capstone unit.
No, the internships are unpaid.
Students will attend the workplace typical office hours, Monday to Thursday for a ten/twelve-week period. Fridays will be devoted to completing the academic assessments and attending assessment workshops required by the various internship units.
The internships units for Business, Information Technology, Information Systems and Project Management require students to have successfully completed all other units on the first attempt. If you have experienced a fail, you are no longer eligible.
CV82 Master of Engineering students need to achieve 36 credit points and pass a compulsory unit – ENEG 20001 (Australian Engineering Practice).
It is recommended students interested in the internship program follow the appropriate internship pathway course planner including term 3 study.
The internship must be undertaken on its own in the final term of study, failing to follow the appropriate planner risks non eligibility in the internship program.
Yes you are, as long as you are still able to complete the course as listed in the course schedule within the period of your visa.