How to find work experience opportunities
Vacation work or internships
Most companies that offer vacation work or internships have an established process for accepting applications. The importance of work experience is detailed on the Graduate Careers website.
Many vacation work positions and internships will be advertised on MyCareerPlan. The following websites also have job vacancy databases that advertise paid vacation work and work placements. By subscribing to the sites you will receive an emailed list of vacancies on a regular basis. This is usually a free service.
Unimail
Search under 'vacation work'.
Seek
job search website
Search under 'casual/vacation
work'.
You can also approach employers directly requesting to be considered for vacation work or internships. A good place to start is the Graduate Opportunities website. You can search for employers offering work experience on the Careers Search section of the Graduate Opportunities website.
Check out the applying for jobs section to find out how to write a first class application for vacation work or internships, and how to approach employers speculatively.
Unpaid work experience relevant to my degree
UniSA Career Services has piloted a Work Placement Scheme in study period 2 2006 for students in selected programs. If you are not in one of the selected programs, you can still search for work experience positions on the MyCareerPlan jobs database.
Your greatest chance of success in finding work experience is by approaching employers directly. Your existing networks – friends, family and acquaintances – may be able to help you locate opportunities. Alternatively, you can use the internet and the Yellow Pages to identify potential host organisations. Once you have decided which companies you are going to approach, find out a contact name (probably the Human Resources Manager) and send a speculative letter and your résumé. To find out more about approaching employers directly, check out the applying for jobs section.
Volunteering positions
Volunteering SA and Volunteering Australia both provide a recruitment service for not-for-profit organisations looking for people willing to volunteer their time and skills. You can also approach not-for-profit organisations directly about possible volunteering opportunities.
Paid part-time or casual positions not relevant to my degree
If you are looking for a part-time or casual position to keep your bank account healthy while you study, go to MyCareerPlan. The Advertiser also advertises this kind of vacancy; you can search its database at CareerOne.