By Cayley Parker, 28 September, 2026
What does Work-integrated learning look like as an IT student at QUT?
Did you know every student in QUT's Bachelor of Information Technology completes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) unit as part of their degree?
IT students complete a capstone project in their final year, working in teams to solve real-world challenges for businesses, government organisations or community partners.
Depending on the project, they may take on roles such as software developer, business analyst, project manager or UX designer, applying their skills in a professional environment while still studying.
This work culminates in the annual IT and Games Showcase, where students present their projects to industry professionals, academics, family and friends.
Check out a snapshot of last year’s IT and Games Showcase
From student project to tech career
When Nicholas Asimakopoulos graduated from QUT's Bachelor of Information Technology in 2023, he left with more than a degree. He had already spent two semesters working with host organisation, Elements 4 Success, in a combined Business Analyst and Project Manager role, helping deliver an end-to-end technology solution. His work included designing prototypes, managing stakeholder expectations, supporting development and conducting user acceptance testing.
Today, Nicholas works at KPMG in the Workforce Management Solutions team within Technology, Applications & Systems Integration (TASI), where he helps organisations implement and customise payroll technology solutions.
"The WIL industry project was one of the highlights of my degree because it gave me a realistic introduction to the workforce while I was still studying," Nicholas said.
Working directly with a client helped Nicholas build confidence in communicating with stakeholders, collaborating with a team and approaching problems in a structured way. Those skills have continued to play an important role in his career.
"Looking back, the skills I developed during my IT degree, especially problem-solving, communication, teamwork and understanding how technology can support business needs, have been incredibly valuable in my career."
The project also gave Nicholas practical examples to draw on during job applications and interviews, helping him demonstrate the experience and capabilities KPMG were looking for.
Building confidence through industry experience
For Bachelor of Information Technology student Shivaan Sundar, a 30-day placement with KPMG gave him the opportunity to apply what he learned at university in a professional technology environment.
Working alongside a team of QUT students, Shivaan contributed to the development of a Digital Readiness Assessment Tool, taking part in activities ranging from stakeholder engagement and background research through to backend development.
The placement gave him valuable insight into how technology projects are delivered in industry, from understanding business needs through to implementing practical technical solutions. It also helped strengthen his communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills while building his confidence in a workplace setting.
One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was gaining a better understanding of the challenges organisations face and the processes used to solve them.
"It helped me better understand the type of roles I may want to pursue in the future, giving me greater clarity around my career direction," Shivaan said.
"Work integrated learning is a great way to bridge the gap between study and work, gain meaningful industry experience, and build valuable professional connections."
Benefits for students and industry
Experiences like Nicholas's and Shivaan's don't just benefit students. Industry partners also gain access to fresh perspectives, emerging talent and innovative approaches to real business challenges.
"The project developed into an innovative solution which went beyond our initial expectations," Stephon Ford from KPMG said.
Whether through an industry project or professional placement, these opportunities give students valuable experience and a better understanding of where a career in technology can take them.
If you work in industry and would like to have QUT Bachelor of Information Technology students work on a project for you, please register your interest.
Ready to gain hands-on experience while you study? Explore the Bachelor of Information Technology at QUT.