Indigenous student success rates soar with targeted internship program

Victoria University’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are benefiting from an innovative internship program that has produced remarkable improvements in university completion rates, nationwide.

Since 2018, the VU Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit has partnered with CareerTrackers, a national non-profit internship program, to support students to achieve excellence at university and in their careers. The program builds professional networks and experience in industry, while participants are still studying, and according to CareerTracker boosts course completion rates within six years to 91%.

Successful applicants, who are studying a broad range of courses, partake in meaningful projects over the 12-week paid professional internships that make real contributions. The number of VU students continues to grow, with eight participating in 2021. Internships take place during university holidays, so they don’t conflict with study demands.

CareerTrackers Program Manager Talia Elliott says in addition to the invaluable workplace experience, the benefits are numerous and enduring.

“The real advantage of this program is that students gain transferable soft skills, connections and mentors,” she says. “Managers become references, and students gain industry insights that can kick start careers.”

The program also incorporates one-on-one support, networking events, résumé and interview skills, interview preparation and confidence building.

Aboriginal Student Support Officer at VU, Marcus Brooke says that students engaged with CareerTrackers have shared with him the program’s positive impacts including invaluable industry work, care and mentoring.

“Hearing the fantastic feedback the program has had on our students’ employability and skills, we are pleased to continually support their ambitions and involvement with CareerTrackers.”

Gamberre (WA) woman and third-year Bachelor of Science student Stella Rose Lay participated in a 12-week CareerTrackers internship during the 2021 summer break, at engineering firm Mott MacDonald.

“It was so beneficial to gain real-life experience in a STEM-related organisation,” she says. “My previous work has been in retail and hospitality, so my internship has gotten me closer to my chosen field. It was a supportive work environment and it boosted my confidence and future career prospects.”

In an important conclusion to the program, CareerTrackers alumni become mentors and demonstrate leadership to their peers.

Celebrated outcomes

The following statistics demonstrate just some of the outcomes of the program (courtesy CareerTrackers).

• 67% of non-Indigenous Australians graduate from university in six years or less
• 41% of Indigenous Australians graduate from university in six years or less
• 90% of CareerTrackers alumni graduate from university in six years or less
• 69% of Australian university graduates secure full-time employment within four months of graduating
• 95% of CareerTrackers alumni are in full-time employment within three months of graduating.