An Indigenous internship program that is kick-starting careers and helping QUT graduates like Andrew Niven is being boosted by new pledges of long-term support from the tertiary sector.
The CareerTrackers University 10x10 Program was launched at QUT in September by Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake and Chancellor Tim Fairfax, and CareerTrackers founder and CEO Michael Combs.
At the launch, QUT became the first university to sign a 10-year agreement with the national non-profit organisation, which has linked Indigenous university students with private sector internship opportunities since 2009.
Across Australia, QUT has the highest number of CareerTracker interns (46 this year alone) and was one of the early adopters of the program.
CareerTrackers works with 37 Australian universities to link their students with 86 companies by placing them in paid internships, with the aim of converting from intern to full-time employee on completion of their university degree.
The new University 10x10 program aims to cement the long-term future of the internships, and follows the success of a similar corporate 10x10 program.
For QUT business graduate Andrew Niven, the program has already paid off.
Mr Niven, 22, of Manly, was CareerTrackers' national Intern of the Year in 2014 after successfully completing interships with NAB and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
"I successfully applied for a place in IBA's graduate program during my final year of uni and transitioned straight into a job," he said.
"I've now completed the graduate program and am an associate in the transactions team which helps invest IBA's investment portfolio. It's a great job because it involves project management and strategic thinking and I share IBA's passion where every transaction has both a community and financial focus.
"I definitely would not be here if I hadn't taken up the opportunity to do the CareerTrackers internships while I was studying. I still would have completed university but the internships gave me those extra skills and experience."
Mr Niven's career highlights so far have included travelling to Cairns to represent IBA at a Northern Land Council PBC meeting where he did an investment options presentation.
"This year I've worked on five potential acquisitions across a broad range of industries - agriculture, mining and mining services, retail, renewable energy and tourism. I assess them on their financial benefits but also on what outcomes they will have for the local Indigenous community."
Mr Niven is also planning further study in the United States in 2016, having been accepted into Tulane University's Freeman School of Business in New Orleans, where he wants to do his MBA and then return to IBA.
"There's no doubt that the internships were a big part of getting me to where I am today so I'd really like to encourage other Indigenous university students to take part," he said.
"The numbers speak for themselves. Applying for a CareerTrackers internship was the best thing I have ever done and there's no reason why you shouldn't apply. You will be given opportunities to develop your skills and increase your chances of working for a company that's aligned to your career path."
CareerTrackers founder Michael Combs said long-term partnerships were key to the success of the internships.
"We strive to build trust among Indigenous communities through establishing partnerships that will support our students and their families for many years to come," he said.
"Earlier this year we announced 10-year partnerships with 14 of Australia's leading companies. A 10-year contract was unheard of for companies partnering with community organisations. Each of these companies has demonstrated a long-term vision for Indigenous success and we are proud of their genuine interest in the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students for many years to come.
"Now it's the universities' turn. We talked to Professor Anita Lee Hong (director of QUT's Oodgeroo Unit) about creating stability and trust for that transition point between education and career and the result is the University 10x10 Program.
"QUT is a pioneer in Indigenous education so it's fitting that they are the first signatory. They backed the concept straight away. QUT are taking the lead in developing pathways for their current and future Indigenous students."
CareerTrackers has rapidly grown since starting in 2009, supporting 943 Indigenous tertiary students across Australia, including over 150 QUT students. Internships range from blocks of several weeks to one day every week for a semester.
"Eighty-nine per cent of our students are converting into graduate employment with the company where they have done their internship or another CareerTrackers partner," Mr Combs said.
Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, media@qut.edu.au or (after hours) 0407 585 901
