PROF 3500 - Undergraduate Professions Internship

North Terrace Campus - Quadmester 4 - 2021

The Professions Internship Program involves an Internship with an Australian business, not-for-profit organisation or government department. This provides the student with an opportunity to experience a hands-on business environment in which to observe and apply their knowledge and skills from their degree. Projects are negotiated between the Faculty and the sponsor within the host organisation, and may include a marketing plan, assistance with accounting or financial reporting, HR and organisational development plans or activities, social and economic development plans, research, business development, customer relations, events management and market entry strategies, or any other negotiated project. As well as undertaking an agreed project, students will be involved in observations, meetings, clerical work and administration, to gain a clearer insight into the day-to-day functioning of the business. Students must complete the program to the satisfaction of their host organisation as well as an academic supervisor to be eligible to pass this course. Internships will be offered to students on merit through a competitive application and interview process. Students must seek approval from the Internships Team for a formal and structured work placement, which is relevant to their studies before undertaking the placement, including participation in pre-placement activities.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROF 3500
    Course Undergraduate Professions Internship
    Coordinating Unit Professions Office
    Term Quadmester 4
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 150 hours with the Host organisation and meeting with Academic supervisor
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Credit standard in at least 12 units.
    Quota Subject to availability of suitable sponsors. Placements will be offered to students on academic merit and work experience
    Assessment Journals, assignments, portfolio
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Miss Melissa Connor

    Name: Melissa Connor
    Location: Nexus 10, 10 Pulteney Street, Adelaide
    Telephone: 8313 3438
    Email: melissa.connor@adelaide.edu.au

    Information for students, go to the Professions Internship Program
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    Students are expected to be present in the nominated workplace for a minimum of the equivalent of 20 business days. This may take place over a duration that is convenient to the organisation and the student involved (e.g. 2 days per week over 10 weeks or 4 weeks full-time).

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. Plan, coordinate and undertake a range of professional activities and engage in reflective practices to facilitate personal and professional growth.
    2. Identify skills and capabilities that intersect effectively with the needs of industry.
    3. Apply and practice good communication skills in a variety of professional and/or cultural contexts.
    4. Evaluate the internship experience in relation to personal career goals.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Learning Resources for this course are available on the MyUni course site. These include; academic readings, assignment how-to guides, video modules and rubrics.

    For more information on Internships see the Professions Internship Program website.
    Online Learning
    Course resources and rubrics are available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is based on the principles of experiential learning and requires students to be placed in a business environment with workplace supervision and mentoring. Students will also be expected to meet one-on-one with an academic supervisor to discuss the nature of their academic project for assessment.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students will spend a minimum of 15 days on the internship.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours per week for a three-unit course (156 hours per course).

    Although for this course some time will be spent in the workplace environment, there is still an expectation for the students to be completing individual study and meeting with the academic supervisor outside of this.
    Learning Activities Summary
    As well as regularly attending the workplace, students can meet with the academic supervisor to discuss assessment requirements and tasks.

    The academic staff member will be available throughout the duration of the workplacement to advise or assist you with any content-related issues you face in the workplace.
    Specific Course Requirements

    Students need to working in a formal and structured industry managed work experience program, with a registered organisation. Approval must have been granted from the Faculty of Professions for this work placement to be counted as experiential learning towards their degree.

    Should the host organisation be dissatisfied with the students’ performance this will be addressed by the Host and the Faculty giving the student a chance to rectify their behaviour. Should the unsatisfactory performance continue and The Host decides to terminate the placement before the end date, then the student will fail the elective.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    # Assessment Task Task Type Due Date Weighting Length Learning Outcomes
    1 Reflective Journal Individual 3 x Journals due at beginning, middle and end of internship. 30% Length varies on Journal, approx 500 - 800 words 1,2,4
    2 Portfolio Individual During internship 30% Length varies (approx 1,000 words total) 1-4
    3 Reflective Report Individual End of internship (2 weeks after last day of internship) 40% 1,000 words 1,2,4
    Total 100%

    Any modifications to assessment due dates should be negotiated directly with the academic supervisor.

    All assessment materials are on the MyUni course site, ensure you have access before starting your Internship.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    • Students must complete the program to the satisfaction of their host organisation as well as an academic supervisor to be eligible to pass this course, otherwise it will result in a fail.
    • Extensions to the due date of individual assessment may be granted under special circumstances. Students applying for an extension based on medical or compassionate reasons must visit their medical practitioner, with the approved University Application for Assessment Extension, and have the medical practitioner complete it. A normal doctor's certificate will not be accepted.
    • Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process.
    • Assessment rubrics are provided in the Professions Internship Handbook and Course Guide.
    Assessment Detail
    Journal
    Three (3) Journal templates are to be completed at the Beginning, Middle and Conclusion of the Internship. The templates are located on MyUni.

    The first Journal asks you to reflect on and describe your expectations of the internship and to set goals.
    In the second Journal there is the opportunity to reflect back on the goals you set for yourself in Journal 1 and to write a reflection on a particular incident on the internship.
    Journal 3 is completed at the end of your internship and requires reflection on the whole experience of the internship and the preparation of an ‘elevator pitch’ describing how you would articulate the skills you developed on the internship at an interview.

    Portfolio
    The Portfolio consists of a range of tasks to complete on MyUni to assist you in the development of your career-readiness skills over the course of the internship. Assessment tasks include; cover letter and resume, and a video reflection on a challenging aspect of your internship.

    Reflective Report
    The Reflective Report is a reflection on your internship. In this Report you cover the following; the host organisation, tasks undertaken on the internship, connections between your university studies and tasks performed and how the internship developed your employability skills. The Reflective Report is written in business-style format and must include a minimum of 3 references.
    Submission
    Submission of Assignments
    • Please retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    • All assignments must be attached to an Assignment Cover Sheet which must be signed and dated before submission. Markers can refuse to accept assignments which do not have a signed acknowledgement of the University’s Academic Integrity Policy
    • It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that copies of assignments have been received by the academic supervisor.

    Assignment Guidelines including Referencing Details
    For Writing Resources, Referencing Guides and how to Avoid Plagiarism, make sure you take advantage of the resources of the Writing Centre

    Late Assignment Submission
    Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. Extensions will generally only be given for medical or compassionate reasons. All requests for extensions must be submitted before the due date. Each request will be assessed on its merits. A late assignment (without prior arrangement) will be penalised by a 5% mark reduction for each day that it is late.

    Return of Assignments
    Lecturers aim to mark and return assignments to students within two (2) weeks of the due date with written feedback. Students are responsible for collecting their marked assignments from their academic supervisor.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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