University of Technology Sydney

54091 Professional Internship

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: Strategic Communication
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10246-C10251, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10252-C10263, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10264 Bachelor of Global Studies OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10269 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10270 Bachelor of Sound and Music Design Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10311 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Creative Writing) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10312-C10313, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10314 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10315-C10316, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10317 Bachelor of Arts Communication (Cultural Studies) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10318-C10319, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10332-C10337, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10434-C10439, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10425 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10405 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Master of Teaching Secondary Education)) OR ((72 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10451 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10452 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10454 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10455 Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) Bachelor of Laws OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10465 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10466 Bachelor of Public Health Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10447 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of International Studies OR 96 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10448 Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science)
Anti-requisite(s): 50260 Parliamentary Placement AND 52714 Professional Internship AND 58314 Social Inquiry Placement AND 58999 Professional Internship AND 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)

Note

Students can only undertake a paid or non-paid internship of 40–100 hours in the teaching session that they are enrolled in to be eligible to study this subject. The internship must also be specifically linked to the degree that they are studying.

Description

Students develop a structured industry experience project in the area of their major study. This involves the negotiation of a learning contract to identify the outcomes of such experience and to design a detailed program of activities to achieve these outcomes. Supervision is provided to assist students in identifying the capabilities they need to develop and to provide support and advice during their industry involvement. Students are assisted to reflect on their learning from experience in the workplace in the context of their chosen field of study.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Identify goals, strategies and resources for workplace learning
b. Analyse incidents in the workplace from an ethical perspective
c. Evaluate the development of their professional skills in their major area of study and in communication
d. Reflect on their internship experiences and observations to isolate strategies to improve their ability to be professional
e. Demonstrate appropriate professional performance, conduct and attitudes in a working environment

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries (1.1)
  • Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
  • Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries (2.1)
  • Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
  • Employ professional skills responsibly and respectfully in a global environment (3.2)
  • Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is based on work integrated learning where teaching and learning occur primarily in a workplace. Students negotiate an internship in consultation with a tutor and workplace supervisors. In addition, they attend compulsory lectures and workshops and undertake pre-session readings. The early workshops assist students to evaluate their skills so that they can better prepare their CVs and learning contracts.

Formative feedback is progressively provided online and face to face as students submit the required documents and participate in the Journal activities. In addition, students meet individually with the tutor to discuss their progress on finding and completing the internship, and to resolve any problems that might arise and ultimately sign off the required paperwork.

CareerHub is used for two purposes: first, it provides students with a jobs board for potential internships; second, it is used to monitor submission of key documents as students progress towards achieving and completing their internships.

Final class presentations and discussions challenge students to reflect on and critique ethical issues that arose during internships and assist in finalising the third assignment.

Content (topics)

Students are encouraged to seek out an internship in their desired field with support from university services and their tutor. In preparation, students attend a workshop to develop a list of attributes and isolate areas they want to personally focus on during the internship. The list assists students to isolate organisations to approach and develop a strategy and documentation, including a CV and a learning contract. The workshop provides students with skills on being interviewed, preparing scenarios to demonstrate their breadth of experience and provide ways to network. Students’ final portfolio of work completed during the internship summarising their workplace experience and reflection is submitted in class and on UTSOnline. We encourage students to use the portfolio when applying for work as they move into their field.

All subject and assessment documents are uploaded onto UTSonline and checked. Relevant copies go to the host organization and the student is expected to keep a copy themselves.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Internship Proposal

Objective(s):

a

Weight: 25%
Length:

1-page backgrounder, Professional Skills Audit, 4-page extended learning contract. In total approximately 1200 words.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity and thoroughness of host organisation backgrounder, internship description, and outline of academic and professional value of the internship 15 a 1.1
Ability to analyse and reflect upon professional skills in relation to the placement 25 a 2.2
Ability to articulate learning goals for the placement, appropriateness of strategies to achieve goals outlined, alignment of goals and strategies, and clarity of competency statement. 35 a 2.1
Clarity of expression and ability to write a useful plan to signal to the host their obligation and provide scope to achieve learning goals 25 a 1.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Recommendations for Organisational Policy on Internship Hiring Practices

Objective(s):

b, c and e

Weight: 40%
Length:

1200 words

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Integration of literature 25 b 1.2
Depth of reflection and ethical awareness 35 c 1.1
Coherence of rationale for recommendations 20 e 2.2
Clarity of expression 20 c 1.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Online Journal

Objective(s):

b, c, d and e

Weight: 35%
Length:

1200 words (4 x 300 word submissions)

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Relevance of strategies recommended for future practice 30 d 3.2
Clarity of expression 10 b 6.1
Insightfulness of personal and professional development 35 b, c, d, e 1.1
Depth of reflection and ethical awareness 25 b, c, e 2.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Internship

In addition, students are required to spend a minimum of 40-100 hours working in a workplace, in an authorised work from home arrangement, or in an approved virtual internship, as agreed and according to their learning contracts. Prior to the census date, and before commencing their internships, students must have logged in to CareerHub to finalise work placement and insurance forms. These documents will be issued to the host organisations via CareerHub prior to commencing. Satisfactory completion of internships will be evidenced by Host Employer reports submitted to CareerHub. Without having secured an internship, students will be unable to satisfactorily complete the subject.

Assessment
In this subject assessment tasks are cumulative so that each task builds understanding and/or skills, informed by formative feedback. Consequently, all assessments and required documents must be submitted in order for you to receive feedback. Students who do not submit all assessments will not pass the subject.

References

Anderson, G Boud, D, Sampson, J 1996 Learning Contracts a practical guide. Chapter 3 p17-31

Billet, S. 2009 Realising the educational worth of integrating work experiences in higher education, Studies in Higher Education, Vol 34, no. 7, pp.827-43

Billett,S. Harteis, C. & Etelapelto A. 2008. Emerging Perspectives of Workplace Learning. Sense Publishers,

Rotterdam.

Bolton, G. 2010. Reflective Practice: Writing and Professional Development 3rd edition. Sage Publications. London.

Boud, D, Cressey, P. and Docherty, P (eds) 2006, Productive Reflection at Work: Learing for Chainging Organisations,

2nd edition, Routledge, London.

Bradbury, H. Frost, N, Kilminster, S and Zukas, M (eds) 2010, Beyond Reflective Practice: New Approaches to

Professional Lifelong Learning. Routledge, London.

Calder, J 2007 High performance environments: considering the 'place' in workplace. Keeping good companies. Vol

59. Issue 6, p366-368.

Fanthome, C 2004 Work placement survivals: A survival guide for students. Palgrave McMillian; Basinstoke.

Fonner, K.J. 2009 Internships : A preview into a working world, National Communications Association Convention,

Chicago USA.

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Culture, Communication and Conflict.

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Other resources

Administrative support with CareerHub to facilitate the insurance process and documentation between host and university. A careers centre workshop and access to their consultants.

Here are some useful tools for you as you consider applying for placements:

Advanced interview techniques and testing

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ careers-service/ resources/ interview-and-testing

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ interview-and-testing-process/ assessment-centres-0

Resumes and cover letters

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ careers-service/ resources/ resumes-and-applications

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ resumes-and-applications/ applying-jobs

Drop in support from the UTS Careers Service

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ careers-service/ meet-us-today/ drop

Successful decision making on the job

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ career-planning/ successful-decision-making

Professional audit

http://www.uts.edu.au/ sites/ default/ files/ Reflective_questions.pdf

Job search strategies

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ jobsearch-strategies/ hidden-job-market

Cover letters

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ resumes-and-applications/ applying-jobs

Identifying your employability skills- Price Waterhouse Cooper 2011

http://www.uts.edu.au/ sites/ default/ files/ pwcuk_employability.pdf

Networking

http://www.uts.edu.au/ current-students/ opportunities/ career-development/ jobsearch-strategies/ networking