Jobs of the future are looking for uni grads with diverse skillsets – not the highest exam score. Here are just a few ways you’ll gain work experience before you graduate from the undergraduate business course at RMIT.
In RMIT’s Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business Professional Practice, practical learning opportunities replaces traditional lectures and exams*.
It’s a curriculum decision shaped by the needs of an ever-evolving industry. Head of Teaching and Learning at RMIT’s College of Business and Law, Associate Professor Jonathan Boymal, said that graduates need to be prepared for the future of business.
“Our aim isn’t to teach our students how to pass an exam. RMIT's priority is to ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills, capabilities and networks that are transferrable to emerging worlds of work,” he said.
In the business courses, you’ll connect with a range of employer partners, including Medibank, Adobe, Amazon Web Services and the Australian Red Cross. You’ll also have the chance to collaborate with employers like KPMG, Swisse, Oxfam, IBM, Deloitte and Australia Post once you choose your business major.
These are just a few ways you’ll work with your future employers in the business courses.
#1: Experience in-class projects and simulated workplace environments
Boymal said that business graduates increasingly need to showcase real work experience to succeed in the future of work.
“Traditionally, business professionals would graduate in a discipline with some skills, then undertake on-the-job training to develop more specific skills,” he said.
“Although this still occurs – especially in large organisations – many employers also come from small and medium-sized businesses. These businesses do not have the time or resources to train graduates. Likewise, with increased automation of rudimentary tasks, many larger businesses prefer graduates to already have basic experience.”
In the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business Professional Practice, classes feature hands-on learning opportunities to help you gain experience, including:
- Business simulations that challenge students to apply business concepts in engaging, competitive, real-world environments
- Case-studies co-designed with industry
- Labs where you’ll plan, design and conduct experiments to solve real-world challenges
- Industry-based projects and challenges undertaken with industry supervision and feedback.
#2: Complete an internship and get a head start on your career
Internships help you combine classroom knowledge with resume-worthy work experience. Your for-credit experience will see you apply your newfound skills while connecting to organisations that could end up being your future employers.
Medibank’s Head of Talent Acquisition Jeremy Crawford said that being an industry partner with RMIT helps the organisation form connections with tomorrow’s workforce very early on in their careers.
As an industry partner we see first-hand insights into the skills, knowledge, and experiences RMIT is providing its students to prepare for their entry into the workforce.
“RMIT students are known for their energy, willingness to learn, adaptability, and preparedness to hit the ground running. This is evident through the wonderful students who have taken up internships and placements at Medibank,” he said.
#3: Attend guest lectures, industry presentations and workshops
Guest lectures and presentations aren’t just inspirational. They also give you the advice you need to drive success in your career, and you’ll hear directly from the leaders in your future field.
In fact, student Ivy Kioko said the guest lectures in her accounting major were pivotal in shaping and launching her career.
“I was fortunate enough to have listened to guest lecturers from different firms. After hearing a guest lecturer from KPMG speak, I decided that that was where I wanted to end up,” she said.
“I did some research and decided that I wanted to work in forensic accounting. I then enrolled in the Forensic Business Investigation elective.
"I’m happy to say that my studies at RMIT have led me to my dream job at my dream firm, immediately after finishing my degree."
Crawford said Medibank has a strong history of participating in various industry presentations and events at RMIT.
“More recently we’ve increased our support of Graduation Week and delivered presentations to students on topics such as interview skills and demonstrating capability in the workplace,” he said.
Business graduates increasingly need to showcase real work experience to succeed in the future of work.
#4: Explore your entrepreneurial side at the Impact Academy
Ever wondered what it's like to be a business consultant?
In the Bachelor of Business Professional Practice, you’ll find out at the Impact Academy, where it’s your mission to partner with a real employer like Boeing, and try to solve a business problem together over your 12-week semester. You’ll learn in an agency-like environment, attending weekly meetings, pitching ideas and receiving coaching and guidance from current employees and your course mentors.
The Impact Academy also connects entrepreneurial students to RMIT Activator, enabling them to network with their future colleagues and business partners.
#5: Learn to demonstrate your in-demand skills to employers
You’ll graduate from the Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Business Professional Practice with a digital portfolio of your achievements that you can bring to any future interview or job opportunity.
“Once students have acquired skills it is important for them to be able to build a narrative that can be applied to the work environment,” said Boymal.
“It’s more important than ever for students to demonstrate to employers how those skills might apply in a very different context from where they originally learned them.”
The business courses are shaped closely alongside industry, enabling graduates to stay ahead of trends in the everchanging workforce by helping them gain skills businesses need now and in the future.
“We see jobs trends leaning towards strong blending of both technical skills and behavioural attributes,” said Crawford.
“As we progress further into the future with digital adaption and technology, there is strong demand for people who can balance both technical skills, including data, analytics, and automation, along with intuitive and creative outputs, such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking.”
Story: Pallavi Daniel
*Except where required by accrediting bodies.
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