Student project, placements and consulting at Flinders University

Flinders’ Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is more than work experience. WIL has been developed with an understanding that we must meet the needs of both our students and industry partners, to produce an integrated learning experience that benefits everyone.

For industry, this means hosting WIL students who can, and often do add demonstrable value.

Connect with our Business students

The College of Business, Government and Law has a dedicated team who will work with you to identify the right student to fit your business needs.

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Connect with our Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences students

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences has a dedicated team who will work with you to identify the right student to fit your business needs.

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Connect with our Science and Engineering students

The College of Science and Engineering has a dedicated team who will work with you to identify the right student to fit your business needs.

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The benefits of WIL for industry partners

Flinders is dedicated to producing enterprising graduates who have the skills and knowledge to become lifelong contributors to society and can enter the workforce as career ready professionals.

To do this, we need to ensure our students have practical, industry specific experiences that cover everything from communication and team work, to critical thinking and problem solving.

Your organisation can benefit from:

a dedicated resource to complete a project or task and boost your business’ capacity
enthusiastic new talent with fresh ideas and new ways of thinking, who have been studying your field and its needs from a different perspective
a potential recruitment pathway, or an opportunity to talent-pool
engagement with the community and one of the world's leading universities.

WIL is more than work experience. Flinders' students can add great value to your business.

“Through an industry project, students get the opportunity to practise what they have been learning through their studies. This includes both the technical content, plus also the softer skills of how to collaborate, how to engage with issues in a creative, innovative way, and how to work amongst themselves as team members of a project.

At PwC we understand the value of talented graduates. The ability of graduates to think laterally, to seize opportunities and to work from day one with clients, is invaluable."

Mark Thomson
Partner, PwC Adelaide

At PwC we understand the value of talented graduates. The ability of graduates to think laterally, to seize opportunities and to work from day one with clients, is invaluable.

I’ve actually brought them onto my company board. To give advice from a young person’s perspective so we can stay young, fresh and dynamic. We take input from a strategic perspective from young people."

Every student we’ve taken on for WIL has either gone on to get a job with us, or we’ve helped get them interviews and built their networks so they can get their own jobs. Internally we’ve had 8 that we’ve employed.

I love being challenged by young people. As much as we give them, they challenge us on our existing thought processes, and in the tech space that’s so important because technology changes so quickly.

I’ve actually brought them onto my company board. To give advice from a young person’s perspective so we can stay young, fresh and dynamic. We take input from a strategic perspective from young people."

Luca Gnezda
Managing Director, Taptu Pty Ltd

Frequently asked questions

Which industries are covered by Flinders' Work Integrated Learning programs?

Most industries can beneﬁt from participating in work integrated learning. Some professional ﬁelds such as nursing, teaching and engineering have a long history of structured work integrated learning associated with professional accreditation requirements, but it is increasingly becoming a feature of higher education courses across all ﬁelds.

Flinders' offers the following student placement options:

Accounting and finance
Business and marketing
Business and technology
Clinical rehabilitation
Developmental education
Disability
Education - early childhood
Education - primary
Education - middle/secondary
Engineering
Geographical information systems
Health promotion
History
Human resources
Human services
Inclusion and rehabilitation
Information technology (IT)
Law
Medicine
Optometry
Physiotherapy
Science policy and communication
Screen and media
Social work
Tourism

What preparation will the student have?

Students participating in work integrated learning are highly motivated and enthusiastic about their placements. Flinders provides students with speciﬁc preparation for their placement. Our students undertake a range of activities, academic and skill preparation before going out on placement.

What do I have to provide the student?

A rewarding workplace experience includes access to the tools needed to do their best work. This would include a workspace, suitable equipment and appropriate mentoring and supervision. Flinders will provide speciﬁc advice during the registration process.

How will it help my business?

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the mentoring you give to a student can help you in many ways. The extra pair of hands will immediately help with resourcing a project, your employees who mentor the student learn valuable management skills, and you help to improve the quality of graduates available to your industry.

When are students available?

Flinders' work integrated learning programs are scheduled at particular times of the year to ﬁt course structures and may run from one week to 20 weeks. Student availability can be discussed and agreed during the registration process.

How much work will my staff have to do to support the student?

Flinders works with you to create a work plan for the student. The amount of involvement of your staff varies according to the plan, but there will be supervision and reporting requirements.

How much will it cost?

The cost will vary depending on the nature of the program and the resources you need to commit to ensure its success. Students may be paid or unpaid, and this can be discussed during the registration process.

What happens if the placement doesn’t work out?