Employers are looking for graduates with work experience who can quickly play a significant role and help the organisation achieve its objectives. Undertaking a work placement component as part of your UniSC degree helps you prepare to meet these expectations.
Workplace Learning (WPL) is an elective course that provides a valuable transition from university to your professional life. WPL provides an opportunity for students in the final year of their program to obtain academic credit for a course at university at the same time as gaining valuable experience in the workplace. WPL provides the opportunity to put theory into practice, develop a range of essential skills sought by employers, establish a work history and create networking contacts.
Opportunities
Students undertake a diverse range of placements according to their program, career path and interests. Placements may be undertaken either locally, interstate or overseas according to your program and placement availability.
Placements are available in the following areas:
- Animal ecology
- Environmental Management
- Environmental science
- Science
Visit Managing your progression for instructions on how to check whether you have room in your program for a WPL course.
Animal ecology
Students may seek their own organisation for placement or request assistance from TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au for recommended organisations and contacts.
Environmental Management
Students will have the opportunity in your final year to undertake a work placement giving you necessary practical experience to enter the job market or pursue further studies.
Environmental Science
Placements range from regional and state government departments, community groups, mining companies, and consultancies to animal rehabilitation.
Science
Science placements are based upon your major, career path and interests. Students may seek their own organisation for placement.
Previous placement hosts for Animal Ecology, Environmental Science, Environmental Management and Science Students |
||
|
Aurecon |
Energy Conference Network |
Ocean Eco Adventures |
|
Australia Zoo |
Farm Animal Rescue |
Oceans 2 Earth Foundation |
|
Banana Shire Council |
Fraser Coast Marine Research Lab |
Performax Science |
|
Biodiverse Environmental |
Future-Plus Environmental |
Provectus Algae |
|
Botanical Food Company Pty Ltd |
Great Sandy Marine Park - Hervey Bay |
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Maroochydore |
|
Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre |
Hall Contracting Pty Ltd |
Queensland Turtle Conservation Project |
|
Canopy Enterprises Pty Ltd |
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures |
Rainbow Beach - Coastal and Island Parks Region |
|
Changing Habits Pty Ltd |
Hervey Bay Whale Watch |
Rockcote |
|
Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre |
Icon Water |
|
|
Cooloola Coast Care Association Inc. |
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania |
SMEC |
|
Core Consultants Pty Ltd |
Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters |
Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo |
|
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries - Agri-Food and Data Sciences |
John Holland Group Pty Ltd |
Southern Pacific Sands |
|
Department of Agriculture & Fisheries - Nambour |
Kaipatiki Project |
Sunshine Coast Council |
|
Department of Environment and Science |
Kingfisher Bay Resort |
Sunshine Coast Gut Clinic |
|
Devcon Building Co |
Maroochy Research Facility Nambour |
Turbid Water Solutions |
|
Devils at Cradle Wildlife Park |
Mon Repos Turtle Centre |
Unitywater |
|
Duke Environmental |
Nambour Christian College |
Wild Byron Pty Ltd |
|
ECOllaboration |
Natural Bushland Ecology |
Wildlife HQ |
|
Ellume Pty Ltd |
Noosa Council |
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland |
*For students interested in a work placement at SeaLife Aquarium Sunshine Coast, you will need to fill out a student application form and send a completed copy to the WPL course coordinator. Applicants will then be determined based on a selection process with SeaLife Aquarium staff. Applications are considered for the Displays and Curatorial team as well as the Mammals team.
*Short Term Study Overseas placements require 6 months notice and interested students must have a GPA4.5 and above and must contact the WPL Course Coordinator or TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au
Placement structure
Students undertaking WPL have the option of completing work integrated learning appropriate to their discipline area in the form of industry work placements. Common durations of the work placements are:
Placements are available during semesters 1 and 2 as well as sessions 1, 5 and 8.
Applications for domestic placement are required to be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the respective session or semester for placement.
Applications for International placement are required to be submitted at least 6 months prior to the respective session or semester for placement.
|
Study Sem/Session |
Sem/Session start date |
Application due date |
|
Session 5 2023 |
17th June 2023 |
8th May 2023 |
|
Semester 2 2023 |
22nd July 2023 |
11th June 2023 |
|
Session 8 2023 |
25th November 2023 |
16th October 2023 |
|
Session 1 2024 |
2nd January 2024 |
21st November 2023 |
|
Semester 1 2024 |
26th February 2024 |
16th January 2024 |
|
Session 5 2024 |
17th June 2024 |
8th May 2024 |
|
Semester 2 2024 |
22nd July 2024 |
11th June 2024 |
|
Session 8 2024 |
25th November 2024 |
16th October 2024 |
Remuneration and insurance
No remuneration or payment is made by the host organisations to the students or to the University for hosting a student. Students undertaking an approved placement are covered by the University’s insurance policies.
Mandatory checks
Each placement has inherent requirements that may be specified by the host organisation and/or UniSC to enable you to undertake placement. Requirements may include but are not restricted to construction card, criminal history check, immunisation, current first aid certificate and Blue Card (working with children check).
Assessment
Students are required to set learning objectives and maintain a daily reflective journal on their placement experience which will be assessed by the WPL Course Coordinator. Your placement supervisor will also complete a report on your activities and performance.
More information
For more information on how to apply for a WPL course visit Sonia online.
Contact
WPL Staff are available by appointment only. Contact your Course Coordinator using your UniSC student email. Alternatively students can contact TechOpsWil@usc.edu.au to register their interest or request further information.