Work experience

Monash has a number of Engineering-related work experience programs for Engineering students:

If you are interested in experiences outside of those organised by Monash you will need to search for them yourself – doing so helps you develop the job searching and organisational skills you will need as a graduate. Monash will support you by sending regular communications about opportunities and providing professional development workshops and resources.

One such resource is the Monash Careers and Employability website where we’ve collated all the programs and resources at Monash that can help you develop your employability skills.

If your work experience is Engineering-related, your time can count towards 100% of your CPD minimum hour requirement.

If your work experience is not Engineering-related, your time can count for up to 50% of your CPD minimum hour requirement.

Bear in mind that students generally aren’t encouraged to undertake Engineering-based work experience until their first year’s results have been released, they’ve passed at least 48 credit points, and they’ve been officially allocated to an Engineering specialisation.

Smaller CPD experiences can be completed as soon as you’re an enrolled Monash Clayton Engineering student.

Download the CPD requirement letter and evidence template to provide to your employer to request work experience opportunities and the appropriate supporting documentation.

Finding work experience

The Monash Careers and Employability can help you assess your existing employability skills, develop new ones, and understand what your next steps should be.

Search for vacation work and employment opportunities through job boards:

Pay attention to the posts on your Department Student Hub Moodle site – job opportunities are often posted there.

Set up your LinkedIn profile and follow companies you are interested in working for. Career Connect has a great LinkedIn workshop to help you maximise the benefit of the platform.

Attend industry events put on by the Engineering Teams & Clubs.

Network at Engineers Australia and/or IEEE events.

Companies will often reach out to academics seeking suitable candidates – get to know your unit supervisors and the academics who work with industry partners in the fields of interest to you.

Career Connect Jobs and opportunities is a valuable resource for additional information and links to assist you in:

  • Finding Work – Job-hunting methods
  • Applying for a Job – Application methods, cover letters, interviews
  • Understanding workplace rights – Workplace rights
  • Planning your career – Develop a career plan
  • Improving employability – Developing your skills
  • Attending career events – Career development programs

Paid work experience

Students do not need to get written approval for work experience if they are being paid by their host organisation. Getting paid for your work (the legal minimum wage or higher) means you should be covered by the employer’s insurance. Please check with your employer that you are covered by appropriate insurance before you commence any work. You should never work without adequate insurance coverage.

Postgraduate option

Undergraduate options

Unpaid work experience

Engineering students who wish to undertake an unpaid work placement/internship will need to apply for a credit bearing Professional Practice, Student Sourced - Industry Experience unit. Please check with your employer that you are covered by appropriate insurance before you commence any work. You should never work without adequate insurance coverage.

Monash Sourced options only

Postgraduate

Undergraduate

Insurance

Insurance coverage is to be requested and agreed to by the host organisation and student. However, if you choose to complete a credit bearing Industry Experience or Co-operative (Co-op) Education Program unit, the insurance will be covered by Monash University.

Students are urged not to attempt work experience without proper and adequate insurance coverage.

Before accepting an unpaid opportunity, check to see if the arrangement being proposed is in-line with Fair Work Australia.

Some resources that will help you understand your rights when engaging in work experience are below:

International student visa holders

All international student visa holders must comply with the work limitations specified on their student visa.

The Industry Experience and Co-op programs may count towards your work limitation – please check this website for specific information about work placements and visa conditions.

Get in touch

Have questions about internships eligibility, specific opportunities or the application process? Contact us via Monash Connect.

There will be severe penalties for anyone caught falsifying claims on their CPD. Failure to supply accurate and honest details about the activities you have attended, the hours you spent at those activities, the skills you have developed, the experiences you were exposed to, or accurate contact details and supporting documentation for verification purposes, would put your graduation in jeopardy if you were suspended or excluded from the university. Monash University’s policy on Academic Integrity applies in each of those instances, and for all CPD submissions. Furthermore, as a future Engineer, you should be upholding the Engineers Australia Stage 1 competency of ethical conduct and personal accountability.