Employ an engineering intern

UTS: Engineering has a distinctive five-year engineering program which prepares students for professional practice. All local Bachelor of Engineering students take part in the Diploma in Engineering Practice which integrates two six-month periods of paid engineering internships in an engineering setting into their degree. This ensures our graduates are in very high demand with employers.

In 2011, 84% of all UTS engineering graduates available for full-time employment were employed as professional engineers.
(2011 Graduate Destination Survey, Graduate Careers Council of Australia)

UTS: Engineering places over 600 students each year and offers opportunities for students in Sydney, interstate and overseas.

Things you should know about employing an intern

• Internship levels

  Each internship should be for a period of 24 weeks experience (or equivalent part-time) in an engineering setting. Students and employers may choose to continue with part-time employment after the internship period.

  The two internships students complete during their degree are:

  • First internship (Junior)

    Early to mid-stage in their degree, these students offer companies an intelligent and enthusiastic temporary employee willing to contribute significantly at relatively low cost. Some students will choose to stay with the same company for their second internship provided they are given increased challenges.

  • Second internship (Senior)

    Approaching the completion of their degree, these students will be close to qualifying as an engineer and can undertake challenging projects, frequently leading to final-year collaborative Capstone Research projects. They are often in high demand with many offers of employment after their second internship.

• Number of students available

  Approximately 350 students are available and register each semester.

• Engineering disciplines available

  Students are available from each of the UTS: Engineering majors (field of practice).

• Employer's needs

  The number of interns employed and frequency of employment varies between companies. Some employers recruit only one intern whereas others employ several interns concurrently often from the same or different engineering disciplines. Some employers are in regional Australia, and some recruit UTS students from overseas.

  UTS: Engineering is flexible and there are many ways that we accommodate employer's internship needs.

• Salaries

  Companies should negotiate rates directly with students. Your success in attracting interns will depend upon the nature and quality of the position you have available, as well as rates of pay. (It is anticipated that all internships will be paid unless when working with a non profit organisation.)

  As a guide, typical pay rates in 2010, were:

  • First internship (Junior)

    • Lower - $550 gross per week
    • Average - $650 gross per week
    • Higher - $800 gross per week

  • Second internship (Senior)

    • Lower - $600 gross per week
    • Average - $750 gross per week
    • Higher - $900 gross per week

If you'd like more information about employing an intern contact the industry partnering unit.

How to employ an intern

Students are normally available to start their internship for:

• Autumn semester between December and March, working up until July, and
• Spring semester between July and September, working up until February.

An internship is for a period of 6 months if completed on a full time basis.

The I2MS: Industry and internships management system is used to assist both potential employers and student.

Any organisation can employ a student as an intern, the steps to do this are:

• Step 1. Register using I2MS

  The first time an organisation starts the process to employ an intern they need to register using the Company Registration Form in I2MS - for employers.

   

  If already registered, proceed to Step 2.

• Step 2. Submit your job vacancies

  Once registered in I2MS, organisations can complete and submit one or more Internship Registration Form(s) in I2MS - for employers.

   

  Job vacancies should be submitted for:

  • Autumn semester between September and December, and
  • Spring semester between April and June.

Role of the industry partnering unit

When an organisation registers using the I2MS, the industry partnering unit provide the following services:

• The unit will contact you when it is time to submit your job vacancies.
• Submitted job vacancies will be advertised directly to students through I2MS.
• The unit will screen the student applications based on type of student and course of study on your behalf, ensuring students are eligible to apply thus only forwarding you the relevant resumes.

What the organisation has to do

Resumes will usually be sent to you 2 weeks after submission of your job vacancy. However, this timing may vary depending on demand and the time of the semester.

Then all that the organisation has to do is:

1. Review resumes and contact students in a timely manner.
2. Interview and select the candidates.
3. Negotiate a contract of employment directly with the successful student(s).

Please be aware that students may also approach you directly regarding their internship.