The value of interning has been once again highlighted by 12 QUT Creative Industries students attached to YMCA Brisbane for Sunday’s YMCA Rat Race event to raise money to feed hungry schoolchildren.
- QUT Creative Industries students turn internships into career paths
- QUT fosters industry partnerships to create real world opportunities for students
Two of them – Anthony Parkinson from Mt Gravatt East (in his final semester of a Bachelor in Creative Industries), and Olivia Dalgliesh from Boronia Heights (her final semester of a Bachelor of Entertainment Industries) – have since secured paid employment with YMCA.
Most of the interns have worked on the event as part of their studies since March, mainly in the area of corporate engagement and activations at other events throughout Brisbane including the Ekka and Riverfire 2017.
Other intern opportunities for QUT’s Creative Industries students this year have included Brisbane Powerhouse, Queensland Poetry Festival, Brisbane Festival, Southern Cross Austereo, Red Hill Gallery and Luxxbox.
“At QUT we strive to form partnerships with organisations both within and outside the creative industries sector to provide students with work integrated learning opportunities through internships and projects,” said Professor Gavin Sade, Assistant Dean (Academic & International Engagement).
“Internships like these ones with YMCA enable students to develop their skills and professional networks and for many students can lead to real employment outcomes.
“It is that critical real world experience that all the study in the world can’t give you.”
According to the YMCA, more than 25% of Australian children go to school hungry. The organisation now provides 500,000-plus breakfasts a year across 89 schools in south east Queensland. The YMCA Rat Race is a key fundraising event for the program and has previously raised more than $3 million for meals for school children.
“The YMCA Rat Race is such a unique and quirky event. During my internship I have been involved in everything from dressing up as our mascot Ratty, to being a social media star and on a GOA billboard to assisting the marketing team, working on the logistics and operations during a team obstacle testing day and coordinating volunteers for the event,” said Anthony Parkinson
“I am now employed on the events team which shows how internships can lead to real employment opportunities.
“QUT has always pushed internships as a great networking opportunity and I never understood what they meant until I did it. You never fully consolidate your learning until you apply it in the field.
“I recommend people do an internship to practice and gain professional contact within the industry and to even find a career pathway to a job within the industry like I did.”
Visit YMCA Rat Race for more information or to enter.
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 3151, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
