Practical Experience

Your internship may be a combination of engineering and general placement, but must consist of at least six weeks of approved engineering experience. 

Engineering experience

Industry internships must be undertaken in an engineering environment, under a qualified engineer’s supervision (someone eligible for Engineers Australia corporate membership).

To get the most out of your internship, you should ideally be exposed to a range of engineering activities that fall into the following categories:

• project management planning and analysis
• design, drafting and installation
• operations and maintenance
• testing or repair of engineering works, facilities, equipment or software.

General experience - pre-2019 students only

General practical experience opportunities must expose you to an organisation that may provide an opportunity to develop leadership skills. While some areas of work are not appropriate for engineering experience, they may be suitable for general experience if the practical skills learnt can be easily transferred to an engineering-related work environment.

Examples of suitable internships include:

• tradesperson assistance (e.g. plumber, electrician, mechanic)
• data processing
• administrative or secretarial work in an office environment
• supervisory roles.

Examples of unsuitable internships include:

• shop assistant, bar, hotel or restaurant work (non-supervisory)
• supermarket night-fill
• delivery or courier work.

Note: internships conducted with a business owned by a close family member is also not acceptable. It does not challenge students to source positions themselves, and may create a potential conflict of interest when authenticating the student's internship experience.

Total hours: meeting the requirement

Internships can be part- or full-time. The number of weeks approved will be based on a 36.75-hour working week (i.e. 8 weeks x 36.75 hours = 294 hours).

Public holidays, sickness and time off are taken into account when calculating the number of hours worked, and are deducted from the final number.

When is the deadline for completing my internship?

Claims for practical experience recognition must be lodged with the faculty office by the practical experience deadline, which can be found on the Graduations website. See the section ‘After your experience’ for more information.

It’s ultimately your responsibility to self-source your internship experiences. Taking on this task allows you to develop and practise the skills you’ll need when searching for graduate employment.

We advise that you begin researching where you would like to undertake your internship early on in your degree. There are many resources to help you find and learn how to apply for opportunities.

Resources

ECMS news 

We promote opportunities for local and overseas placements in our ECMS news. Make sure you bookmark this page and check back often as new opportunities are posted regularly.

CareerHub

We strongly encourage you to register with CareerHub to gain access to the University database of internships and other opportunities.

Managed by the University’s Careers Service, our online CareerHub enables you to search opportunities for paid and unpaid internships. Graduate and full-time opportunities are also listed.

Employer presentation events are regularly held on campus, providing valuable opportunities to meet company representatives. Subscribe and register to receive notifications and updates regarding when employers will be on campus.

You can log in to, and register with, CareerHub using your Student ID and password.

The University’s Careers Service can also help you find and take up volunteer opportunities that may count towards your degree’s internship requirements.

Local opportunities

Many students arrange internships with local and interstate companies. The following companies have accommodated the faculty's students over the past 12 months:

• Arrium Mining (GFG Alliance)
• Aurecon
• BAE Systems
• BHP
• CSIRO
• Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI)
• Defence, Science and Technology Group (DST Group)
• eLabtronics
• ElectraNet
• FMG Engineering
• GHD
• Jacobs
• KBR
• Lucid Consulting
• McMahon Services
• Mott MacDonald
• Precision Aero form
• Redarc Electronics
• SA Power Networks
• SA Water
• Santos
• Sarah Constructions
• Tarac Technologies
• TMK Consulting Engineers
• Tonkin Consulting
• Wallbridge Gilbert Aztec

Engineers Australia: EA Connect

EA Connect is a free service for student and graduate members of Engineers Australia. It promotes internship opportunities suitable for all training levels in one secure and exclusive location. Search by location and engineering discipline to find the right match for you. Opportunities are constantly updated, so be sure to check back regularly.

If you're already a member, log in and view the latest opportunities. Alternatively, sign up for free membership using the student online application system. As soon as your application is processed you'll be able to log in to EA Connect. Plus, you can browse the member site to access a range of information and resources to help guide your career.

Practical experience may be completed either in Australia or overseas. The application process is slightly different, depending on where you go. It is very important that you read about studying overseas in conjunction with the application process information below, as this way you will find out about the different overseas study experiences.

Application process

Prior to leaving Australia:

1. Once you have researched different destinations and decided where you would like to do your practical experience, you will need to obtain approval. Download the Conditional Pre-Approval for Practical Experience (Overseas) form and arrange to meet with your school's practical experience coordinator.

2. Submit the completed and approved Conditional Pre-Approval for Practical Experience (Overseas) form to Ask ECMS.

3. You are also required to register with Study Overseas through the Student Mobility Applicant Registration Tool (SMART). After logging into SMART, go to Internship or Placement. You’ll then be required to provide background information regarding the placement.
   
   Note: Within the 02 Faculty Approval Questionnaire, Question 5 asks you to 'provide course information'. For the purposes of the Faculty of ECMS, it is sufficient to just write 'Internship' (the system won't let you leave it blank). For Question 6, indicate you are ready to receive faculty approval.

4. A student advisor from the faculty will review your application and eligibility and, all being well, approve the application. Applications are processed as quickly as possible. However, you should allow 2-3 weeks for busy times. Keep checking your application’s status to see when the approval has been granted.

When you return to Australia:

Refer to ‘After your experience’ to have your practical experience/internship assessed and approved.

Popular overseas experiences for engineering students

There are several overseas experiences that can count towards your practical experience requirements. You can also choose to complete your practical experience at an overseas engineering firm. Some of the opportunities are listed below.

Engineers Without Borders

Engineers Without Borders regularly offers design summits that can be presented in lieu of practical experience. To search for available study tours and opportunities, visit Engineers Without Borders.

Project Everest

Project Everest regularly offers ventures that can be presented in lieu of practical experience. To search for available study tours and opportunities, visit Project Everest.

Find out more about studying overseas

Introduction letters

The faculty can provide an introduction letter, which may be presented to a potential employer when seeking an internship. The letter will confirm you’re a student of the University seeking an opportunity to fulfil the requirement as part of your degree.

If you require a letter, you can request it from Ask ECMS.

Insurance cover

Unpaid internships

When undertaking unpaid internships (volunteer), you must apply for University of Adelaide’s liability insurance cover before you begin your placement. Please read the Work Experience and Community Placement Guide and follow the steps below to complete the application form:

• Part A - Student completes and signs
• Part B - provide the host organisation’s details.
• Part C - host organisation to read.
• Part D - host organisation to sign and provide you with proof of their current Public Liability Insurance Certificate of Currency. Although you (the student) are covered under the University's Certificate of Currency, this ensures the company entering into the agreement is also insured, should one of their employees cause you injury or loss.
• Part E - lodge the form with the Ask ECMS.
• Once completed, provide a copy to the host organisation.

Paid internships

When undertaking paid internships you’re covered by the employer’s insurer, and the employer is advised to remind their insurer that a student is working on the premises.

Note: travel insurance is provided by the University free of charge. For more information, see the Work Experience and Community Placement Guide.

Find out more about student workplace insurance

In-internship support

If during your internship you have any questions or concerns, contact the Ask ECMS team. They’ll either help you themselves, or refer you to the appropriate support service as required.

Unfair treatment, bullying and harassment

Ensuring your safety and wellbeing is of paramount concern for both the faculty and University. If you’re subjected to behaviour, or placed in a situation, that causes distress, the host company should provide avenues to address your concerns. This can range from mediation to immediate removal from the situation.

Regardless, please contact the Ask ECMS team immediately to report or discuss. You can contact us confidentially via email, phone or in person.

The University provides several avenues of support, and we’ll work with you to determine the most appropriate.

After completing your internship you’ll need to submit a written summary for assessment and approval.

Assessing an internship for recognition is managed by completing the Practical Experience/Internship Application Form and submitting it to Ask ECMS.

If you are an engineering student, a key part of the assessment will be your ability to demonstrate experiences that address the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards. It’s therefore important that you review these competency standards and address them within your submission.

You should present your submission in the following sections:

• Company structure and operation (approx. 200 words)
  Describe the company, including its products or services, locations and number of employees, and outline the company structure.
   
• Responsibilities and work undertaken (approx. 200 words)
  Summarise the responsibilities and work you undertook.
   
• Professional development reflection (approx. 500-1000 words)
  Describe how your internship has assisted in your development of the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards. You must specify which competencies were developed and how.

Note the word counts suggested are applicable for a 12 week placement. If you participate in a shorter placement, you should aim for the following word count:

• 1-3 weeks: 500 words
• 4-6 weeks: 1000 words
• 7-12 weeks: 1500 words 

More information about your practical experience summary