Digital Cultures Student Internship Program, 2007 - Information for Host Organisations

The Bachelor of Arts (Digital Technology and Culture) is a specialist four-year degree that combines studies from both the Faculty of Arts and the School of Information Technology. Employers in Information and Communication Industries (ICT) and cultural industries look for graduates who possess strengths in both these specialist areas – graduates who can simultaneously show competence in a technologically advanced industry, as well as possessing broad critical, analytical and communication skills. More than ever, organisations need to recruit people with the capacity to capitalise on the opportunities that emerging digital technologies can provide.

The BA (DTC) equips graduates with the knowledge and experience required to meet the challenges of emerging media landscapes, including mobile communications, internet content and connectivity, digital entertainment and games.

Graduates of the degree possess the analytical and professional skills, interdisciplinary knowledge and practical experience to embark on careers in management, content production and systems development in digital media, communications and advertising. Specific professional roles may include information architect and project manager; analyst and researcher; content author and editor; and producer of web, mobile or multimedia content.

The students have all had experience working in teams and responding to client needs. The BA (DTC) offers strong connections to industry practice in the final year projects and internships.

What is an internship?
An internship is a formal arrangement whereby students get professional experience in a workplace relevant to their studies under the supervision of an appropriate staff member. The organisation benefits from the efforts and energies of senior BA (Digital Technology and Culture) students, who have up-to-date skills and knowledge. Digital Cultures students are extremely enthusiastic, bright and innovative, and would be a great asset to your workplace.

Who can participate in the Program?
Any organisation that uses digital technologies as a strategic component of their business is an appropriate host for digital cultures interns. This group includes not only web design, media and IT companies, but also a very wide range of organisations that need to improve communication and connections between the technical sections of the business and wider strategic objectives of the organisation.

What kind of work should an intern do?
We expect the interns to work professionally, and to undertake the tasks that would normally be expected in your workplace by an entry-level recruit. Perhaps you would like to identify a distinct project for the student to work on, or define a variety of activities working with teams in the office environment.

How long are the internships?
Internship placements are a minimum of twenty working days (not including sick days, weekends or public holidays etc). You may prefer an intern in a block of time, or for a couple days a week on a part-time basis, this can be negotiated between the student and the workplace.

Are the interns paid?
No, interns are not usually paid. This convention does not mean that you are not able to pay the students for their work. However, payment voids the University’s insurance coverage, which means that the host organisation would become responsible for the student’s professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

It is also possible to pay interns for work beyond the twenty days of the formal internship – as casual or permanent employees.

Are interns covered by insurance?
All Sydney University interns are covered by the University’s insurance for public liability and professional indemnity. We would however expect that you provide a safe working environment with occupational workplace and safety requirements adherred to.

Is there much paperwork?
No, we have kept paperwork to a minimum. All we ask is for a brief description of the duties you expect the intern to perform, and a few other details on the Offer of Internship form (available from our website). There is a brief certification form for the supervisor to sign at the commencement and end of the internship.

What is the advantage of participating in the internship?
Our students are enthusiastic, hard working and intelligent. You also get a first hand look at some of the most promising students about to graduate and join the workplace.

Some work places find that having an intern provides professional development for their staff, and sometimes, because these students are often on the cutting edge of new technologies, they may have just as much to share as they have to learn.

What if you require particular skills from an intern?
If you have special requirements please just let us know and we will match you with the best student for your organisation. Special requirements may include having a driver’s license, or fluency with a particular software for example.

How do you get involved?
Simply contact Kirstin Bokor the Internship Officer, or fill out the Offer of an Internship form and email it to Kirstin and wait for her to get in touch with you.