Business School

Industry Experience Program (COMM2222)

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Kickstart your career, gain workplace experience, and develop transferable professional skills by engaging in an internship through the Industry Experience Program.

The Industry Experience Program bridges the gap between academic learning and professional practice. This course provides you with practical experience, the opportunity to develop your professional skills, and build your industry networks.

This course combines an internship with academic workshops and assessments to support your professional development. You’ll gain confidence to complete the assessments and feel positive about taking on future workplace challenges.

There are two ways to complete the Industry Experience Program:

  • UNSW sourced internships: Secure a position via BusinessConnect with organisations specifically seeking to hire UNSW Business School students
  • Self-sourced internships - find your own internship and register your offer with Career Accelerator.

Employers actively seek graduates with industry experience, making the Industry Experience Program invaluable, whatever your next career steps are. Whether in Australia or overseas, internships help you stand out in a competitive job market. 

Course benefits

  • Work with host organisations to gain a deeper understanding of how businesses operate.
  • The internship provides you with at least 120 hours of practical experience to develop your skills with a dedicated industry experience.
  • Understand your organisation’s culture and values, and explore the industry it operates in.
  • Gain practical experience and the opportunity to build your professional network.
  • Help solve business problems, engage in key projects, and identify new business opportunities.

Choose your experience

UNSW sourced placement

Career Accelerator sources internships exclusively for the Industry Experience Program. You’ll find these opportunities on the BusinessConnect job board.

Explore internships from start-ups to large corporations across various industries and apply for roles that interest you.

New openings are posted regularly, so create a job alert to stay up to date with the latest opportunities.

Self-sourced placement

If you’ve secured your dream internship, you can register it to participate in this course.

To be eligible for course credit, self-sourced internships need to:

  • be relevant to your degree
  • align with the academic term dates
  • offer a minimum of 120 hours of work during the term.

Course essentials

  • COMM2222 Handbook
    COMM2222 Outline

  • 6 units of credit

  • Summer Term, Term 1, Term 2, Term 3 

  •  

    Applications close

    Internship start date

    Internship end date

    Summer Term 2025

    4th December 2024

    6th January 2025

    7th February 2025

    Term 1 2025

    3rd February 2025

    17th February 2025

    25th April 2025

    Term 2 2025

    19th May 2025

    2nd June 2025

    8th August 2025

    Term 3 2025

    1st September 2025

    15th September 2025

    21st November 2025

  • To be eligible you must:

  • This course is WAM neutral.

    This course is graded on a Satisfactory (SY)/Unsatisfactory (FL) basis.

    Please refer to the course outline for detailed assessment information.

How to apply

    1. Secure an internship
    2. Lodge your application
    3. Career Accelerator will review your application
    4. If approved your manager/supervisor will receive an email to also approve.
    5. Once all approvals are done, we will enrol you into the course.  You cannot enrol yourself.

  • You can apply for opportunities that interest you on the Job Board (please email us for access if you cannot see the jobs). 

    Upload your resume/CV to Business Connect so you are ready to apply (Click on your initials and select “My Documents”).

    Apply for jobs and attend company interviews if invited to do so. 

    If successful, you will receive an email to accept your offer. In your Business Connect profile you will be able to see the offer once it has been made. Once accepted, follow the instructions below to lodge your application.
     
    1. If you’ve accepted your UNSW-Sourced offer, then you should be automatically directed to step 3, or if not, click on Business Connect and login using your student zid via SSO. 
    2. Click on “Work Integrated Learning” tile.
    3. Click on “Add New” & complete the form, as best as you can. (The team will email you if they need further information). 
    4. Once all approvals are done, we will enrol you automatically into the course. Please make sure there is space in your program.  You cannot enrol yourself.

  • COMM2222 is a unique model that allows you to gain recognition for a self-sourced internship.  If you already have a paid or unpaid internship which you have sourced yourself, you can lodge your application on Business Connect to have your internship considered for approval.

    Remember, you are required to complete 120 hours in placement during the term, plus attend workshops and complete assessment tasks. This is an academic course.

    Follow the instructions below to lodge your application.
     
    1. If you have self-sourced an internship, click on Business Connect and login using your student zID via SSO. 
    2. Click on “Work Integrated Learning” tile.
    3. Click on “Add New” & complete the form, as best as you can. (The team will email you if they need further information). 
    4. Wait to hear from us in case we require further information otherwise once all approvals are done, we will enrol you into the course.  You cannot enrol yourself.

    Things you should discuss with your organisation

    • This academic course includes assignments and workshops in addition to the practical work at your internship.
    • You’re expected to have regular meetings with your supervisor, including discussions about your goals, progress, and complete a review of the experience at the end of the course.
    • You and your host will need to agree to the expectations outlined in the UNSW Work Integrated Learning Core Terms

    • This is an academic course, and you will need to complete academic assignments and workshops on top of the practical work at your internship

    • You are required to complete 120 hours in placement during the term period. 

    • You are required to have at least one 30-minute meeting a week with your supervisor, and two, 1 hour meetings at the beginning and end of your placement

    • Your company must agree to abide by the UNSW Work Integrated Learning Core Terms

    • Once you have lodged your application, let your supervisor know that they will receive an email from the Career Accelerator team verifying the position, and approve the Work Integrated Learning Core Terms  

    • If your employer has any questions about the process, they can email our Industry Engagement Team here

What our students say

After participating in the Career Mentorship Program, I was very keen to undertake some internships in order to further my practical education. COMM2222 presented the perfect opportunity.

I secured my placement at the ASIC with the Market Supervision team where I gained broad exposure to regulatory actions within Australian financial markets. The best part of the placement is the great amount of responsibility I have was given. It feels really great knowing what you’re working on is something substantial and that you’re making a real contribution to the team.

I definitely would recommend the program to everyone! It’s a great chance to start developing your professional network and your resume for future career opportunities!

Arthur - Australian Securities Investments Commission

I first heard about Industry Experience Program from a friend. Through COMM2222, I was able to land an internship at AFS Intercultural Programs Australia as its Accounting/Finance Intern.

I learned so much within a short amount of time and was able to improve my communication and time management skills within a professional environment. This program gave me the opportunity to learn how to use Accounting software in a practical setting and to actually put all the studies I learned in university, into practice.

I would encourage anyone who wants to get an out-of-classroom learning experience to try out this program.

Jessica – AFS Intercultural Programs

Looking for further information?

If you have any questions about Work Integrated Learning, get in touch with us. We’re here to help.
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FAQ's

  • You should only apply for positions that you would be willing to accept. You have 2 business days to accept before your offer is rescinded, it is advised that you do not ‘hold out’ for potential offers from other organisations. 

  • All currently available roles are listed on the BusinessConnect job board and new jobs are added on an ongoing basis as companies have new opportunities. Check back regularly so you don't miss out! Previous opportunities have included: Nestle, FCM Travel, synpulse Management Consulting and Circana.

  • Most internships on the job board are unpaid, however some internships offered are paid and this will be communicated either in the position description or in your interview with the organisation.

  • You can apply for as many roles as you are interested in however, we recommend only applying to those that you would accept regardless of which offer is received first. 

  • Some of the job postings will have a contact email address for the company – if this is listed, you are welcome to reach out and ask for more information. Remember to be professional.

  • Once an offer has been made on the Business Connect platform, you have 2 business days to log in and accept your offer. If you do not accept within 2 days, your offer will go to the second ranked candidate. You can login and check your pending job applications on Business Connect.

  • As in the real world, not all your applications may be replied to. The organisations are not obligated to respond to unsuccessful applicants. You may wish to send a polite follow up email to the organisation 1 week after submitting your application as this will show that you are very interested in the role.

  • If you choose to decline an offer the correct professional behaviour that we recommend is that you promptly contact the company directly to thank them for the opportunity to advise and please cc Career Accelerator in the email.

  • Once you have accepted a role and created an application on Business Connect, you are expected to continue with that placement, even if you receive another offer later from a different company. We recommend letting the other organisations that you have applied to, know that you are no longer available once you accept a role, as is correct professional practice.

  • Career Accelerator can’t give specific advice on visas. You can reach out to the Student Support Team who may be able to give you advice on how this course interacts with your work rights, or may direct you to somewhere that can answer your questions.

  • If your internship placement is outside of Australia, then you can apply for Self-Sourced opportunities yourself from your current place of residence. However, this course will not count as an in-person course. Please bear this in mind when applying, as some student visas require a minimum amount of in-person courses each term. 

  • Yes, this is an academic course, and you will need to complete academic assignments and workshops on top of the practical work at your internship.

  • If you experience a problem at your internship with one of our partner organisations, you should email us as soon as possible to notify of the issue. You should accept the advice of the University and follow the actions as suggested. Do not stop your internship but continue to meet all agreed upon requirements unless told otherwise by UNSW. If you need any support, please access the University support resources.

  • As a representative of the University, yourself, and your employer, are expected to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.

  • Yes. you are covered by the University’s Accident and Liability Insurance. If your employer requires a copy or has any questions they can contact engagebusiness@unsw.edu.au