Professional Practice: International students
The Professional Practice Programs cover a suite of programs which prepare international students to succeed in the Australian workplace. The programs aim to develop cross cultural competence, business communication skills and employability through seminars run as part of formal academic subjects. These subjects address recruitment practices and career management, and improve employability through assessable mock interviews, job applications and assessment centres. Professional Practice promotes the value international students bring to Australian workplaces and connects students with businesses and opportunities to network with industry. A quality assurance cycle ensures high quality learning and outcomes for students, the university and host employers.
http://www.uow.edu.au/careers/students/international/index.html
The Professional Practice Programs have successfully connected international student talent with industry. Careers Central staff design and deliver 12 credit point subjects at Masters level in Engineering and Accounting, or via a zero credit point subject open to all disciplines at undergraduate and post graduate level. Participating students have gained invaluable knowledge of Australian workplace culture and recruitment practices and are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge through competitive work placements. These activities help local businesses and graduate employers recognise the value international students bring to their workplace, and at times have lead to full time employment for the student.
The PPP has also encouraged a greater sense of cultural and professional responsibility by integrating career development strategies and cultural awareness sessions into the programs. While host organisations and students alike benefit from these sessions, the Professional Practice Programs have also succeeded in increasing the employability of UOW graduates and have helped establish relationships with businesses and the University of Wollongong.
We see many advantages that benefit our students and the local business community:
1. To assist international students in their endeavours to gain exposure to the Australian workplace and as such, build a professional relationship with a host organisation which enhances the experience.
2. To meet the needs of the business community:
Interest from businesses wishing to host international student interns continues to grow as employers become more committed to delivering on their diversity strategies, are more culturally aware and, are realising the many benefits student interns can bring to their workplace.
3. To cultivate links with industry and the University of Wollongong. The Program forms a mutually beneficial partnership with the University of Wollongong and the participating host organisations.
The continuous improvements made to our international student programs over a number of years can now be shared with the NAGCAS community. A holistic approach to student development, employer engagement and indeed employer education, through to assuring the quality of the international student pre and post placement, provides an example of high quality practice with which other institutions can benchmark. The PPP provides an example of the integration between international student aspirations and career development practices embedded within the Teaching & Learning environment for credit bearing and zero credit scenarios – resulting in a significant number of students gaining access to real workplace experiences. The program unites different cultures, languages, professions and perspectives in one globally integrated experience.
The Professional Practice Programs embrace innovation and creativity within career development learning and aim to benefit students from all disciplines and backgrounds. The programs are delivered as academic subjects in 2 faculties and as a zero credit point subject to capture broader disciplines and levels of study. Further innovative features of the programs include an Engineering Mentoring Program which leverages industry and alumni networks to guide students through the year and industry guest speakers who provide advice and feedback to students in educational contexts and mock interview settings.
The programs also take a creative approach to learning by embedding student centred-activities throughout the courses. Classroom learning encourages the explicit and implicit development of intercultural competency and employability skills through communicative activities based on problem solving, reflection and teamwork.
To ensure high quality experiences for both students and host organisations, the programs incorporate a cross-cultural communication and management workshop to educate hosts to thrive in their role. An information session for prospective host organisations is also held to inform organisations about the process and benefits of hosting a student placement. These events better prepare host organisations to support students on placement and achieve positive learning outcomes.
http://www.uow.edu.au/careers/students/international/index.html
The Professional Practice Programs have successfully connected international student talent with industry. Careers Central staff design and deliver 12 credit point subjects at Masters level in Engineering and Accounting, or via a zero credit point subject open to all disciplines at undergraduate and post graduate level. Participating students have gained invaluable knowledge of Australian workplace culture and recruitment practices and are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge through competitive work placements. These activities help local businesses and graduate employers recognise the value international students bring to their workplace, and at times have lead to full time employment for the student.
The PPP has also encouraged a greater sense of cultural and professional responsibility by integrating career development strategies and cultural awareness sessions into the programs. While host organisations and students alike benefit from these sessions, the Professional Practice Programs have also succeeded in increasing the employability of UOW graduates and have helped establish relationships with businesses and the University of Wollongong.
We see many advantages that benefit our students and the local business community:
1. To assist international students in their endeavours to gain exposure to the Australian workplace and as such, build a professional relationship with a host organisation which enhances the experience.
2. To meet the needs of the business community:
Interest from businesses wishing to host international student interns continues to grow as employers become more committed to delivering on their diversity strategies, are more culturally aware and, are realising the many benefits student interns can bring to their workplace.
3. To cultivate links with industry and the University of Wollongong. The Program forms a mutually beneficial partnership with the University of Wollongong and the participating host organisations.
The continuous improvements made to our international student programs over a number of years can now be shared with the NAGCAS community. A holistic approach to student development, employer engagement and indeed employer education, through to assuring the quality of the international student pre and post placement, provides an example of high quality practice with which other institutions can benchmark. The PPP provides an example of the integration between international student aspirations and career development practices embedded within the Teaching & Learning environment for credit bearing and zero credit scenarios – resulting in a significant number of students gaining access to real workplace experiences. The program unites different cultures, languages, professions and perspectives in one globally integrated experience.
The Professional Practice Programs embrace innovation and creativity within career development learning and aim to benefit students from all disciplines and backgrounds. The programs are delivered as academic subjects in 2 faculties and as a zero credit point subject to capture broader disciplines and levels of study. Further innovative features of the programs include an Engineering Mentoring Program which leverages industry and alumni networks to guide students through the year and industry guest speakers who provide advice and feedback to students in educational contexts and mock interview settings.
The programs also take a creative approach to learning by embedding student centred-activities throughout the courses. Classroom learning encourages the explicit and implicit development of intercultural competency and employability skills through communicative activities based on problem solving, reflection and teamwork.
To ensure high quality experiences for both students and host organisations, the programs incorporate a cross-cultural communication and management workshop to educate hosts to thrive in their role. An information session for prospective host organisations is also held to inform organisations about the process and benefits of hosting a student placement. These events better prepare host organisations to support students on placement and achieve positive learning outcomes.