Work it!

Internships provide invaluable work experience for students hoping to gain employment after graduation. Seven students who have taken an internship, locally and globally, share their experiences and discuss why internships are an essential part of the university experience.

Jack Fogl. Photo by: Shane Lo

Jack Fogl travelled over 7000 kilometres for an internship that landed him in a Cambodian courtroom. The year was 2014 and the organisation was the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) – a special court which receives assistance from the United Nations to prosecute those believed to be most responsible for the crimes committed by the Khmer Rouge.

For Fogl, a law and international studies student, the internship was a chance to work on the defence team for Nuon Chea – the alleged second-in-command to Pol Pot – who was charged with genocide and crimes against humanity.

Fogl says, “I had to read gruesomely documented transcripts of interrogations along with eyewitness accounts of torture and execution. They were incredibly confronting.”

However, he adds, “This practical experience gave me invaluable insight into the workings of international criminal law and is something that I really enjoyed.”

It’s also the reason why he encourages all students to undertake internships. “You might love the experience, you might hate the experience, but either way you will learn if that area of work is right for you.”

Harshaa Raha. Photo supplied.

Civil and environmental engineering and business student Harshaa Raha also had the opportunity to delve into an overseas internship.

Raha was able to work for the Banking Commission as part of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) whilst living in Geneva, Switzerland for six months.

Raha says, “The overall experience was absolutely fantastic. I had the opportunity to meet the current and former Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-moon, and Kofi Annan and I got to work directly alongside the director of the UNEP FI. Listening to the current and former Secretary-General hightlighted, for me, the importance of youth participation and that no one is ever too young to lead.”

Raha says her role was varied, incorporating project management, event organisation, marketing, communication and independent research. Among the highlights were liaising with leading environmental lawyers in the United States to obtain expert advice and organising the black carbon finance meeting in conjunction with the World Bank.

Raha’s advice to other students contemplating internships is to put yourself out there. “Hone your skills and talk to people who specialise in any areas you have a particular interest in.

“This was the best decision I’ve ever made.” And, she says, it has given her a driving ambition to pursue a career that combines engineering and finance.

James Elton-Pym. Photo by: Shane Lo

James Elton-Pym, meanwhile, is energetically pursuing a career in journalism. Earlier this year, the UTS journalism student completed his sixth internship; this one at SBS. In fact, he was at SBS headquarters when news of the Nepal earthquake broke.

He says, “I remember getting into the office and seeing people running around booking flights, getting vaccinations and packing emergency supplies. It was all hands on deck.”

Elton-Pym worked on Dateline’s coverage of the Nepal earthquake, his role involved pre-interviewing eyewitnesses and victims and arranging for journalists to accompany Kathmandu rescue teams. “I had the fantastic opportunity of working directly with Geoff Parish, a Walkley award-winning producer.

“There were plenty of hiccups along the way, but eventually my work paid off. When the program went to air I was credited as the show’s Researcher in the closing roll, which was a big milestone for me.”

Felicity Dick-Smith. Photo by: Hannah Jenkins

Felicity Dick-Smith, is also an advocate of multiple internships; this time in health. The traumatic birth of Dick-Smith’s second child proved to be the catalyst for change for this former Qantas executive.

However, balancing three kids and a six-year, part-time Bachelor of Nursing is no easy task. “I’m very passionate about nursing,” she says, “I love it more and more each semester.”

Earlier this year, with the help of her supportive family, Dick-Smith engaged in an internship with the Beaches Early Intervention Centre who treat those experiencing psychotic episodes.

The internship coincided with Dick-Smith undertaking the Complex Nursing Care: Mental Health subject as part of her degree. It enabled her to experience one-on-one therapy with patients, which helps them understand and manage their mental health.

“I found the whole experience so useful,” says Dick-Smith. “It took away the stigma of mental health and it placed the theory into context.

“I wish I could spend more time on internships.”

In fact, Dick-Smith is already looking forward to a two-week placement with the Air Ambulance later this semester. In the longer term, she hopes to continue her studies at UTS by undertaking honours after she finishes her degree next year, as well as a postgraduate degree in critical care nursing.

Jason Li. Photo by: Shane Lo

Master of Architecture student Jason Li is another whose internship has proven to be a money-can’t-buy experience. Earlier this year, Li spent two months working at internationally renowned architectural firm Gehry Partners, LLP. The internship was organised by UTS and saw the student head to Los Angeles to learn how the large and famous company operates.

“Building models for two months straight certainly improved my skills,” says Li. “And experiencing how this company operates gave me a sense of how things work within a firm.”

The only downside, he says, was that the internship didn’t last longer. “It’s hard to make any solid connections in such a small amount of time, however, in the future if there are chances of collaboration with them, or of me moving to LA, my internship might be helpful.”

Li is also confident having an industry powerhouse like Gehry Partners listed on his resume will improve his job prospects in Australia too. “With Gehry Partners written on my CV it’s hard to be missed by employers.”

He advises all students to undertake internships during their degree, “Even if you’re knocked back by the first company you approach, just keep trying.

“And take opportunities! Especially if it's a paid overseas internship in an international firm – it doesn't get any better than that.”

Nathan Bloomfield. Photo by: Shane Lo

Unless of course you’re Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Management student Nathan Bloomfield. The active 21-year-old is currently embarking on his dream internship, working with one of the leading organisation in his field – the AFL.

Three days a week Bloomfield spends two-and-a-half hours teaching Auskick to children at schools around Sydney. "I feel that my communication skills have improved significantly since I started this internship. Teaching kids how to play AFL and having to explain rules and guidelines to kids who just want to run around can be extremely challenging. But they’re skills I’m going to be able to use once I leave uni and enter the workforce."

Soon Bloomfield will also begin assisting in the promotion of AFL 9s – a social game, for all ages, that involves nine players on each team competing on a smaller field.

With the internship requiring him to complete 210 hours of work, it can be difficult to balance his commitments. “I’m at uni full-time and I have a part-time job,” says Bloomfield, “but I am really enjoying it.”

David Moulder. Photo by: Shane Lo

So too is David Moulder. The Bachelor of Medical Science student spent the first semester this year working with UTS’s Faculty of Science tracking the movements of mitochondria, “the energy powerhouse of the cell”, within rogue breast cancer cells.

He says, “Research is an exciting experience, it almost demands your attention. And it’s a nice feeling to watch true science unravel in front of you.”

Working as part of a larger UTS research team, Moulder was able to express a specific mitochondria protein attached to a fluorescent protein from jellyfish DNA within breast cancer cells, in turn allowing him to track the mitochondria. He says the experience helped him “gain a deeper understanding of one of the most complex and lethal diseases.”

Moulder adds, “If you want a challenge, to further develop your scientific inquisitive mind and see what research is truly like, then I definitely advocate for internships.

“Talk to people and ask questions. Sometimes the most absurd questions open the door to a sea of knowledge you never thought was possible.”