Why an internship?

An internship undertaken while studying at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences will develop discipline specific and professionally oriented skills which build upon your studies. An internship can help you to:

• Better understand how your studies are applied in practice
• Relate the skills and knowledge learned in other subjects of your degree to the specific activities of the placement
• Critically reflect on the relationship between theory and practice.

It will enhance your understanding of workforce practice, and build networks by allowing you to:

• Gain an insight into the range of activities of the organisation, its structures, and processes
• Gain exposure to a distinct organisational work environment and culture
• Better understand the broader context in which the organisation operates, such as local, regional, international, socio-economic and cultural environments
• Build networks and contacts with professionals in your chosen field or area of interest.

An internship will develop, enhance and refine a number of personal skills and attributes as you make a positive contribution to the activities of the host organisation. These include:

• Resourcefulness, adaptability, communication, working independently, teamwork
• Time management, to enhance research and analytical skills
• Reporting and communication of progress through the analysis of projects or tasks you have undertaken for the host organisation.

Examples of recent internship placements

Through staff industry links and networks, the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences has assisted students to secure internship placements in highly regarded organisations in Melbourne and overseas. Host organisations have included:

• ANZ Bank
• Australian Football League Players’ Association
• Australian Red Cross
• Humanitarian Crisis Hub
• Melbourne Writers' Festival
• Melbourne Fringe Festival
• National Gallery of Victoria
• Parliamentary offices of the State Government of Victoria
• State Library of Victoria
• United Nations organisations in Australia and internationally, including UNHCR and UNDP
• World Vision

Further information about our partner organisations.