Work experience for secondary students
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About our program:
Each year, after a selection process, secondary school students are taken into our laboratories for a week-long placement to experience what the life of a research scientist is really like. These placements enable secondary students (15 years of age or older) to gain an insight into careers in biomedical research by allowing them to observe and participate (subject to safety considerations) in the activities of a research laboratory.
The Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute is a research-intensive institute and our scientists focus on fundamental research questions surrounding health and disease. Consequently, students who can show a passion for science and future careers in research will be viewed favourably.
Students who are interested in medical/clinical practice or would like experience in a hospital setting should seek work experience under the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences or at a medical facility such as the Monash Hospital.
In 2024 we are offering one round of work experience. The details, including key dates, are listed below:
- Dates of placement: 1 – 5 July 2024
- Applications open: 15 April 2024
- Applications close: 10 May 2024
- Offers released by: 7 June 2024
How to apply:
Work experience places in the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute are in extremely high demand and as a result, each school can select up to three students to apply for our program. Applications are to be submitted to us by Career Practitioners only. Students are to contact their school’s Career Practitioner with their interest to apply for our program, or alternatively Career Practitioners can approach students and encourage them to apply. Once Career Practitioners have selected up to three students, the students must send them a copy of their completed application form (found below) and CV. The Career Practitioner must then submit an online application through the link found below for each student.
While we do our best to find places for all students, unfortunately we cannot guarantee that every applicant will receive a place.
Students must be at least 15 years of age or older at the time of placement due to safety regulations.
For students and Career Practitioners:
For a copy of the application form and a detailed description of our application process and requirements for schools, students and Career Practitioners, please download the form below:
Information and Application Form
For Career Practitioners only:
Once up to three students per school have been selected and the student application form and their CV have been completed by the student/s, an online application can be submitted (by the Career Practitioner only) for each student via the link below:
https://forms.gle/qfgQDa5iJPVjjsoz8
If you have any questions or issues, please contact Laura Reid at bdi-workexperience@monash.edu
Frequently asked questions:
Can I apply for this program if I am not a school student? This program is run under the Victorian Government's "work experience" scheme for all Victorian schools. As a result, this program is only available to students enrolled in a Victorian school. Students from other Australian states will need to enquire with their school if they are eligible to undertake work experience within Victoria before submitting an application.
Can I apply for this program if I am a John Monash Science Student? All JMSS applications are processed through the JMSS school career practitioners. Please contact them if you are a JMSS student wishing to do work experience with us.
Can I do work experience with you on a different date? Unfortunately, due to the high demand of our program and the time dedicated to organising this program, we will not be accepting applications for placements outside of the dates we have outlined above. We have selected these dates so they fall within school holidays to make it accessible to as many students as possible so it doesn't impact on the school year.
I need to confirm my work experience dates early, can I apply earlier and receive an outcome earlier than your specified dates? Due to the high demand of our program and the processes involved in reviewing applications, we will not accept or release offers earlier than the dates specified. We review all applications at the same time (between the closing date and offer release date) which allows time to properly assess the applications and establish the number of places we have available.