NEWS
Postgraduate students awarded global internships
Two RMIT postgraduate students are spending three months based at the University’s European hub in Barcelona after being awarded global internships each valued at $15,000.
The RMIT internship positions were awarded to Master of Marketing student Adriana Bizzarri and Master of International Business student Andrea Christie.
The inaugural program, which saw a highly competitive field of applicants, is supported by RMIT Europe, the School of Management and the School of Economics, Finance and Marketing.
The postgraduate students are working with the RMIT team in Europe over three months, taking on tasks related to marketing initiatives, systems and processes, as well as supporting RMIT’s upcoming Europe Summer School.
Bizzarri said the reality of being awarded such a valuable internship opportunity only hit when she boarded the plane to leave Melbourne.
“It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m so excited to be here,” she said.
“As well as being an amazing experience to apply what we’ve learnt in a global context, it’s also incredible to be working for the university where we’re studying.”
The final year student said she’s looking forward to building her experience across marketing and events in addition to expanding her skills in new areas.
For Christie, the award of the internship was also a “surreal moment”.
“I was in shock when I found out I had been successful,” she said.
“I’m thrilled about the opportunities that this internship presents and to have been awarded this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work in Europe.”
Christie said the knowledge gained throughout her study in international business, particularly in terms of global business operations, will be a valuable resource to draw upon throughout her placement with RMIT Europe.
RMIT’s internship program organisers said the pair set themselves apart throughout the selection process with their strong academic performance and exemplary responses to the internship application.
Dr Eugene Sebastian, RMIT Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor Business International, said Bizzarri and Christie were highly-deserving of the innovative global internships.
“This pilot program, which is supported by our management and economics, finance and marketing schools, provides our postgraduate students with opportunities to enhance their study experience, internationalise their learning and increase their employability,” he said.
“We envisage RMIT’s global internship program with RMIT Europe will continue as a prestigious and highly sought-after opportunity in the years to come.”
Story: Karen Matthews