FAQs
Can I realistically keep a part-time/casual job?
Yes, this is possible. Individual career-ready placement schedules may vary based on the needs of the organisation, your program of study, and your personal and academic responsibilities. Based on your program of study, your career-ready placement may not be a 5 day a week placement. It might be 1 day a week over the course of a 12-week semester, or you may complete your placement hours in a block of 2 weeks’ full-time work, depending on what you negotiate with your host employer and the requirements of your placement course.
In other cases, such as clinical placements, your time commitment will be explained to you prior to your placement. You will know upfront what you are required to do and when, and it will be your responsibility to navigate your commitment. If you are having trouble managing your placement, please speak to your Course Coordinator or Program Convenor as soon as possible to discuss a strategy.
Do I have to do a career-ready placement that the University organises?
Some programs of study arrange career-ready placements for you, and others require you to source your own placement. If you are uncertain, please refer to your Program Handbook, relevant course outline, or reach out to your Program Convenor.
Are there certain criteria a business must meet to be an eligible career-ready placement host organisation?
Yes, organisations must meet a number of criteria and abide by The University of Newcastle's program policies in order to host students for career-ready placements.
If I self-source a career-ready placement, is the company required to do anything in regard to the assessments?
Yes. If you are completing a career-ready placement as part of a course, your host employer will be required to provide evidence of your input and feedback on your performance. This will be detailed in your course outline and should be discussed within the first meeting with your host supervisor.
What happens if I don’t like my career-ready placement?
If your career-ready placement isn’t exactly what you expected, remember that you’ve entered into an agreement and should try to make the most of your opportunity. Approach your host supervisor to discuss the expectations for the placement. Your supervisor will likely be very receptive to this open communication and will often look to accommodate your desired learning outcomes. It’s important to note that while things may not always go exactly to plan, it will likely still be a very valuable learning experience. For example, you may have just discovered you’re no longer tied to a career in digital marketing but found a passion for marketing data analytics.
However, if you are presented with serious issues in your career-ready placement that cannot but resolved with your host supervisor, you should contact your Course Coordinator or Program Convenor for assistance.
What do I do if the workload is too much for me?
If you are finding the workload of the career-ready placement too great, you may wish to speak to your Course Coordinator and discuss options for approaching your host supervisor. It is important to recognise this early and to try and figure out the best solution. Unexcused absences are unacceptable and may prohibit you from passing your placement course.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.