Four ways to get industry experience and job-ready skills while studying

Four ways to get industry experience and job-ready skills while studying

Industry tells us that students need more than a qualification to launch their professional career, making it extremely beneficial for students to gain industry and work experience to stand out to future employers.

Industry tells us that students need more than a qualification to launch their professional career, making it extremely beneficial for students to gain industry and work experience to stand out to future employers.

Four ways to get industry experience and job-ready skills while studying

Industry tells us that students need more than a qualification to launch their professional career, making it extremely beneficial for students to gain industry and work experience to stand out to future employers.

Preparing students for graduation is a top priority for RMIT University, which has secured its place in the top 100 global universities for the fifth consecutive year in 2022, while also placing 1st in Australia in the graduate employment category1. 

Interim Vice-Chancellor Dionne Higgins said these results are highlighted in RMIT’s strong partnerships and reputation with employers, and the internship and placement opportunities for students.

“We focus on giving our students exceptional experiences to ensure they are set up well for life and ready to embrace and adapt to the rapidly changing world of work,” she said.

“Our strong partnerships with industry ensure we have a practical focus and are truly preparing our students to have the confidence, knowledge, and skills to succeed well beyond their university years.”

Here are four ways that you can gain industry experience and build your employability skills at RMIT.

#1: Get personalised career support at the Job Shop

The first step to getting industry and work experience is to ensure you’re well prepared for the workplace. 

RMIT Job Shop covers all things career related. This can range from polishing your résumé, all the way to finessing your job interview skills. These skills are very important as they can be a deciding factor when trying to impress future employers and stand out from other applicants. 

The aim of RMIT Job Shop is to improve the employability of all students by offering:

  • Help finding and applying for casual, part-time and graduate jobs 
  • Free résumé and cover letter workshops
  • Industry events and networking sessions
  • One-on-one career consultation appointments
  • Course or program advice 

For students who want a long-term plan to keep their employability goals on-track there’s Future Edge, a personalised program to develop the skills valued by employers. The program is hands-on, flexible and can be completed over the duration of study at RMIT.  

Students can jump online to register for workshops and events or book one-on-one career consultations to get personalised guidance on career and employability. Alternatively, students are welcome to drop into the Job Shop at RMIT’s City campus to speak to a Job Shop staff member during business hours. 

Vinisha Internship

Get industry experience like Vinisha

Meet Master of Marketing graduate Vinisha as she shares her internship experience that led to her employment with RMIT industry partner Medibank, one of Australia's largest private health insurance providers. 

#2: Source an internship or work experience

Internships and work experience opportunities are great ways to get real workplace and industry experience while you are studying. The many benefits of internships and work experience can’t be understated: they enable students to stand out to employers with relevant experience and showcase a dedication to securing work experience while completing a qualification.

RMIT students can find internships and work opportunities in a variety of ways. RMIT Career Centre allows you to search for available jobs and internship opportunities from all over the world, including current RMIT Jobs on Campus openings. Students can also source internships through external websites such as Grad Australia and Grad Connection. 

Another option is work-integrated learning (WIL), which will count as credit towards your qualification. The type of WIL activities you can undertake will depend on your program and study discipline, so it’s best to check your course guide or contact your WIL coordinator. RMIT has WIL coordinators that will help you with finding activities that align with your program.  

International students starting their studies in Semester 1 2023 can also gain real industry experience by securing one of the 1,200 available micro-internship opportunities through the Industry Experience Program 2023. 

This is a professional skills development program where first-year students will be allocated into a team of up to six students to complete a 2-week industry project, working collaboratively to deliver a consulting solution for an industry partner.

#3: Sign up for RMIT Mentoring 

Studies have shown that having a good career mentor can lead to greater career success and increased opportunities2, making it a powerful professional tool to get ahead with your goals.  

RMIT Mentoring is a one of Australia’s largest and most unique mentoring programs with a single purpose: connecting RMIT students and recent graduates with industry mentors to help students prepare for a successful future beyond RMIT. 

Some of the benefits of an RMIT mentor include:

  • tailored career guidance and practical advice 
  • developing your employability skills
  • receiving first-hand industry insights
  • building your professional network

RMIT Mentoring offers a few options that are designed with your needs and preferences in mind. RMIT students can sign up for a one-on-one career mentor for a once-off career chat or a three-month mentoring relationship, or can opt for a group mentoring session that connects RMIT students with industry professionals, RMIT alumni and RMIT partner organisations. 

Female student, inside an RMIT classroom, talking to camera

Making the most of student support services

Whether you’re looking to boost your employability, work on your real-world professional skills or simply get some assistance with day-to-day student life, there’s an online or on-campus service for you.

#4: Upskill with RMIT Creds 

Transferable or soft skills are essential for succeeding across most job roles, and with the world of work constantly undergoing change and transformation, skill-based hiring is essential to ensuring you have a competitive edge in the modern workplace. In fact, it's estimated that two-thirds of Australian jobs will rely on soft skills by 20303.

However, finding ways to plug your skill gaps can be tricky. Backed by industry, RMIT Creds are a collection of career-ready skills that are stackable, transferable and relevant to the workplace. These include:

  • global outlook
  • leadership
  • digital literacy
  • critical thinking
  • cultural intelligence
  • communication

RMIT Creds work closely with businesses to offer industry-valued skills that are responsive to the latest trends. Once a student completes their Cred, they gain a verifiable digital badge through Credly, which can be shared with employers and across digital networks such as LinkedIn.

Story: Jess Zibung

[1] RMIT excels in graduate employability rankings - RMIT University

[2] Mentoring Matters: Three Essential Elements Of Success (forbes.com)

[3] Soft skills for business success | Deloitte Australia | Deloitte Access Economics, Human Capital

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information