PROF 7500 - Professions Internship Program

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2015

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 Internship Team 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, 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. 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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROF 7500
    Course Professions Internship Program
    Coordinating Unit Faculty of Professions
    Term Winter
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites Students must have completed the compulsory ?Job Readiness? workshop prior to applying for this course.
    Assumed Knowledge Minimum 4 completed courses with at least a credit average.
    Restrictions Subject to availability of suitable Internship sponsors. Students may only complete a maximum of 6 units from the experiential learning suite of courses throughout the duration of their program
    Course Description 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 Internship Team 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, 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.

    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.
    Course Staff

    No information currently available.

    Course Timetable

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

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/students/ 

    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

    Experiential learning provides opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge, develop and consolidate skills, reflect on practice, and develop an understanding of the relevant profession or related sectors. It is essential to providing real-world experiences.

    Each industry placement is expected to include the following elements:

    1 Professional experience-based, where the learning is in context with the student spending an appropriate period of time in the work/professional environment, or engaged with workplace institutions, individuals or issues;
    2 Relevant primarily to the student's area of academic study and, secondarily, to the student's career aspirations. Activities have definable academic underpinnings, and clear linkages with/to the knowledge/skill base of the qualification/education Program;
    3 Productive, where the student does 'real work' that has a social/economic value or definable benefit to the employer/placement/community, and can be measured by either outcomes or assessment;
    4 Structured, with formal (academic and placement) monitoring, supervision, direction (and assessment); and
    5 Assessable, with assessments linked to specific areas of study/academic Program.

    The general purpose of the industry placement or internship is to apply the knowledge and theories learned in an academic environment to a business workplace. Therefore, the learning outcomes associated with this course are consistent with the Program Learning Outcomes for the relevant course and the University Graduate Attributes.

    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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 7
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 6, 8
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 8
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Any learning resources required will be provided by the organisation or recommended by the academic supervisor.

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/downloads/student-faqs-2014.pdf 

  • 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.

    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 are expected to meet with the academic supervisor on at least three occasions during the placement.

    • An initial meeting between the student and academic supervisor should occur to set expectations and discuss broadly the project areas applicable for the student.
    • A second meeting should occur around the time of the submission on the Project Proposal (assessment 1) to finalise the details of the project to be completed by the student.
    • A final meeting should occur towards the end of the placement, to discuss the learning outcomes and final project.

    The academic staff member will be available throughout the duration of the work placement 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 Due Date Weighting Learning Outcome
    Assignment 1 - Project Proposal TBA 20% Graduate Attribute 2
    Assignment 2 - Reflective Journal/Log Book Weekly 30% Graduate Attribute 1
    Assignment 3 - Final Report End of Placement 50% Graduate Attribute 3
    Total 100%

    All pieces of assessment are individual. Any modifications to assessment dates should be negotiated directly with the academic supervisor.

    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.
    • All assignments are to be lodged prior to the due date and time. Any modifications to assessment dates should be negotiated directly with the academic supervisor. A late assignment where no extension has been granted will be penalised by a reduction of 5% of the mark given for each day, or part of a day, that it is late.
    • Extensions to the due date of individual assessment may be granted under special circumstances. Students applying for an extension based on medical reasons must visit their medical practitioner, with that approved University form, 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 this course profile.
    Assessment Detail

    Assignment 1 – Project Proposal – 20%
    Due Date: TBA (approximate length – 1000 words)

    Although much of your day-to-day work might be task related this is your chance to show your company the benefits of bringing in a university graduate. The purpose of this proposal is to bring in the academic content of your program and “sell” it to your company. You get the chance to show that you can add value to the company in way far beyond what they imagined.

    This proposal typically has a “big idea” and can include:

    • Competitor analysis with understanding of relative positioning
    • Customer segmentation and needs analysis
    • Analysis of the strategic environment
    • Financial modelling and recording/reporting
    • Development of a final report and actionable recommendations

    The proposal is typically written some time into the placement, where you can reflect on your activities in light of the theory of your program. You should meet with your academic supervisor and organise the most appropriate due date, given the nature of your work placement. A recommended timeframe is 3-4 weeks into your placement.

    Assignment 2 – Reflective Journal/Log Book – 30%
    Due Date: Weekly (approximate length – 2000 words in total or 500 words per week)

    You are required to make weekly submissions to a logbook or blog through the MyUni portal (if possible), or via email submission. This weekly (or more frequent) entry will document the activities you have undertaken during the week, as well as key insights and reflections that you have on the benefits and value of the Internship. Discuss critical issues or tasks that you face and how you are going about responding to those.

    Content you use might include (if approved by your host organisation):

    • Internal Communications from within the organisation
    • Photos, videos and screenshots of your “day to day”
    • Simple “diarising” of your week
    • Modelling and analysis, theories or formulas you are utilising

    This journal should reflect progress towards graduate attribute 1. For reference, the overarching attribute 1 that is considered the most important is: “Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.”

    Assignment 3 – Major Report – 50%
    Due Date: End of Placement (approximate length – 5000 words in total)

    All students are required to complete a 5000 word report (or equivalent) that connects academic theory to the activities undertaken in the Industry Placement. It is the intention of this report, that the student reviews activities undertaken within the Placement, assesses these activities with relevant academic theory, and provides recommendations to the organisation based on this review. It is the aim of this process that the student can demonstrate to the host organisation, how their academic knowledge can add value to the organisation.

    The experience of each student will be different because of the variety of organisations we work with and the variety of roles undertaken by the student. It is important, therefore, that the project is discussed and clearly scoped in conjunction with your Academic Supervisor.

    It is expected that a range of academic references will be used to provide a theoretical underpinning to activities that are conducted in the Placement.

    Below are the components that will be used to assess the project.

    Task Components & Value
    Address Academic Objectives Ensure you meet the academic objectives, as discussed and approved by your academic supervisor.
    Relevance to your Studies Apply relevant academic theory to your internship project / organisation. Identify and critique the organisation’s activities in terms of the academic theory and make recommendations where relevant.
    Closing the Loop on Proposal, or Alternative Deliverables Given the objectives you set in the proposal, how well did you achieve what you set out to do? If you had to take a different direction, how well did you still manage to deliver value?
    Academic Research and Referencing Undertake appropriate research, and develop a Literature Review on your topic of interest. Use this ‘new’ knowledge you have gained to show how the organisation could improve its operations. Make reference to relevant theory in the report.
    Management Recommendations Given your understanding of the industry in which your organisation operates, think strategically to make recommendations on how the organisation can improve, using the knowledge you have gained in both your time there AND from your Literature Review.
    Professional Report Writing Write the report in an appropriate business style.
    Personal Presentation of the Content Whether in a sit down chat or a stand up presentation, how well did you get the content presented?

    You will note in the attached rubric that graduate attribute 3 is the overarching attribute that would be reflected in this piece of work. This consists of “An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.”

    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 by all group members before submission. Markers can refuse to accept assignments which do not have a signed acknowledgement of the University’s Policy on Plagiarism: www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/.
    • It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that copies of assignments have been received by the academic supervisor.

    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 other serious reasons. All requests for extensions must be emailed to the lecturer in charge of the course 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.

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    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.

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