Bridging the gap between student and professional life through real world experience

Students are getting real world experience through work opportunities with Swinburne’s Employability team. The Student Network and Peer Career Assistants programs are led by the Employability team and give students the opportunity to refine their skills for the workplace, get real world experience and make a smooth transition from student to professional life.

Providing students the chance to work on live projects, the Student Network collaborates with the Swinburne Employability team to promote to their fellow students the benefits of industry placements while studying. The Student Network collaborate with the team on developing student support assistance and programs, as well as organising student events and promotional campaigns.

Through the Peer Career Assistant program, students work with the Employability team to support fellow students by connecting them to career resources and services at Swinburne including SwinEmploy and career consultations.

The value of student’s collaborating directly with the Employability team does not go unnoticed, as highlighted by Director of Employability Ruth Bridgstock.

“Our student partnerships programs are another way Swinburne is providing every Swinburne learner with real-world work experience and ensuring that students are prepared for their working lives.

“It’s a win-win situation. Our student partners develop confidence, skills and examples of work for their portfolios. In turn, Swinburne makes the most of their expertise and perspectives as students, to make improvements to the student experience for everyone,” says Ruth Bridgstock.

Complementing the university experience

Forming a working group of around twenty students, the Student Network takes on projects to improve graduate employment and Work Integrated Learning outcomes, through setting up promotions for employability events and building graduate support programs.

Zuzanna Kacynska is an international student from Poland, studying a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Ethics and Technology and co-majoring in Computer Science. Being a Student Network leader, she recognises how being in the role has complemented her university experience.

“It has taught me a tonne of practical skills within project management, teamwork, and problem-solving, which will all be useful in my future career,” Zuzanna says.

After working on a project for a few weeks, the group report back to the team on their findings and suggestions to a range of topics. This has proven invaluable to the team, as the Student Network can help give a student perspective and provide effective feedback.

Being a Peer Career Assistant involves a lot of active listening and giving students guidance, pointing them in the right direction for suitable career resources and support.

Arlo Fehring is studying a Bachelor of Engineering (honours) and a Bachelor of Computer Science and shares the benefits of working in the role.

“Being able to practice my skills in an environment with plenty of knowledge and support from the team has been great,” says Arlo. 

Bridging the gap

Beyond supporting graduate students and providing career guidance, the students involved in the programs have been able to take the leap into professional life in a familiar setting.

“The Peer Career Assistants’ role is a stepping stone toward future roles and helps bridge the gap between student life and the professional world,” says Rachel Ooi Wei Yee, an international student studying a Master of Marketing.

“It’s sharpened my soft skills like communication, teamwork, relationship-building and critical thinking – all crucial for thriving in any future workplace.”

Conor O’Farrell is studying a Bachelor of Media and Communication and highlights what he enjoys most about being a part of the Student Network.

“You get to work on exciting, fun and valuable projects with like-minded people of a similar age to you,” Conor says.

“Once we switch out of work mode, it’s basically a big friendship group.”

The Employability team partnership programs continue to enhance the student experience for not only those that work within the Student Network or Peer Career Assistant teams, but also to those students they make efforts to support.