Business, Entrepreneurship and Tourism
At the University of Newcastle, career-ready placements enable you to work directly with industry and community partners by undertaking a placement relevant to your area of study through your degree.
Placements are a compulsory requirement for graduation for all Bachelor of Business majors (including honours), the Bachelor of Business Analytics, Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Bachelor of Tourism, Hospitability and Events, for those students commencing in 2023.
This practical experience is critical in helping graduates transition into the workforce upon completion of their degrees and placements provide an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on training and experience in real world situations.
Please refer to the Student Professional Experience Policy and your program handbook for more information regarding the placement requirements of your degree.
What you need to do
As a compulsory requirement for graduation, you will complete a minimum 140-hour placement within the third year of your study. There will be a variety of opportunities available to acquire a placement in your desired career field, including business analysis, consulting, project management, marketing, and business development, to name a few. These opportunities are available through a range of private business, government, not-for-profit organisations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's), and start-ups.
The professional experience placement course BUSN3002 provides an opportunity for you to undertake workplace experience relevant to your study. Completing this course will help give you the edge in the employment market, allow you to apply the theories learned throughout your studies, and build your understanding of contemporary business practices.
You will complete 140 hours of supervised placement that enable you to apply knowledge developed throughout your studies and acquire new knowledge and professional networks to support your career readiness.
BUSN3002 is predominately a student-driven course, and you are encouraged to organise your own placement opportunity.
If you have the opportunity to find your own placement, take the initiative and organise your experience as soon as you can.
Locate and negotiate a placement with a host organisation that has business activities related to your field of interest(s).
What's the process?
- Attend a Careers Service workshop, or visit the Careers Service, for assistance preparing a cover letter or resume when approaching potential host organisations.
- Once you have successfully secured your own placement, you must gain approval from the Course Coordinator.
- Log into SONIA using your student login details.
- Select ‘Newcastle Business School’.
- Go to the 'Forms' page. Locate, complete, and submit the 'BUSN3002 Placement Approval' form to seek Course Coordinator approval.
- Once approved, further instructions will be provided through SONIA.
There are a number of placement opportunities that have been pre-approved by university staff.
These university-sourced placements will be advertised on CareerHub. Students can then apply directly to the host organisation through a competitive process.
What's the process?
- Search for University-sourced placement opportunities through CareerHub. Type “BUSN3002” in the search bar to find all current placement opportunities available.
- Follow the application instructions that are aligned to the placement(s) that you are applying for. You will be required to submit an application direct to the organisation and go for interview.
- Attend a Careers Service workshop, or visit the Careers Service, for assistance preparing your documents and preparing for your interview.
- The host organisation will review your application and advise you if you have been selected to progress to an interview.
- If you are selected, you will be offered the placement by the organisation and you will confirm your acceptance of the placement.
- Log into SONIA using your student login details.
- Select ‘Newcastle Business School’.
- Go to the 'Forms' page. Locate, complete, and submit the 'BUSN3002 Placement Approval' form to seek Course Coordinator approval.
- Once approved, further instructions will be provided through SONIA.
You are encouraged to seek out your own placement based on your interests. Placements are to be developed with – and be contingent on – the approval of the Course Coordinator.
Please note that every effort will be made to assist you with sourcing an appropriate placement. However, placements are not guaranteed, so it is strongly recommended that you select another course as an ‘option B’. If a placement has not been confirmed by the second week of semester, BUSN3002 must be dropped from your enrolment.
SONIA
SONIA is The University of Newcastle’s placement management system. The software supports you in managing your placement quickly and easily. For any enquiries related to SONIA, contact the Professional Experience Unit for the College of Human and Social Futures (peu@newcastle.edu.au)
Insurance
If you are undertaking approved, unpaid workplace experience, you are covered for personal accident and public liability insurance under university insurance. For further clarification, please contact the University’s Insurance Team (insurance@newcastle.edu.au).
Sourcing your experience
Now you understand the requirements of a career-ready placement experience, the next step is to prepare yourself to connect with employers. To do so, you will need to put together a strong application to ensure you stand out in a competitive job market.
CareerHub is the university's online job board that links you with industry and provides you with resources to help you with job-seeking.
On CareerHub you can find resources and tools to help you:
- Refine your job search
- Write a job application
- Prepare for an interview
- Develop a LinkedIn profile
- Learn more about an industry
Being confident and well prepared is essential when approaching a potential employer.
As a student, you aren’t expected to know everything. However, doing preliminary research, going in with a positive attitude, and taking initiative will go a long way. Try to find the best contact person in the organisation and approach them directly.
Here are our top tips for approaching employers:
- Use LinkedIn: Complete a search on LinkedIn, using the organisation name and browsing the listed employee with a title that mentions ‘Human Resources’, ‘Hiring Manager’, ‘Recruitment Specialist’, ‘Talent Acquisition' or other similar titles related to the Human Resources function.
- Find the right contact: If you are unable to find the most appropriate person, call the general contact phone number. In the call, ask if there is a specific contact you can speak with about a work placement opportunity within the organisation.
- Contacting via email: Keep your email concise, direct, courteous, and professional. You may find this resource helpful as a guide.
- Contacting via phone: Make sure you look and sound professional. Prepare your spiel ahead of time and be sure to show your passion and interest for the organisation. A Zoom or Skype call can be a great alternative to a phone call and can add a level of personalisation.
- Keep a record: It’s essential to keep yourself organised by keeping track of who you contacted and the status of the conversation. This will be particularly helpful if you’re asked to call back or follow up via email. This Prospective Host Communication Tracker (EXCEL, 21KB)
can help you stay on track.
When sourcing your career-ready placement experience, you may be asked some questions from your host supervisor about their requirements, roles, and responsibilities. You can refer employers to the 'Career-ready placements for Industry' page to aid those discussions and ensure they understand their commitment.
The Application Pack (CHSF) (PDF, 175KB)
As an international student, you may find it tricky to navigate the Australian work environment. However, you have access to information and resources that have been developed specifically to help support you in sourcing and preparing for placement experience.
Support and resources
The Careers Service is available to provide guidance for finding a placement if required – make the most of their services including:
- Access to CareerHub, an online portal with discipline-related work and work experience opportunities
- Information about job and placement searching strategies
- Assistance aligning your studies and interests with industry opportunities
- Drop-in and appointment-based resume and application checking, plus an interview preparation service
Explore job vacancies in CareerHub
Learn more
Access job application and interview resources
Learn more
Professional Bodies
It is also recommended that you join relevant professional bodies to your degree with the added benefit of retaining connections within your industry. Take the opportunity to network at professional events, attend career fairs, and most importantly, seek help you need it.
- Australian Human Resources Institute
- Australian Institute of Management
- Australian Institute of Project Management
- Australian Institute of Training and Development
- Institute of Learning and Development Professionals
- Institute of Management Consultants
- Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia
- Advertising Council Australia
- Australian Direct Marketing Association
- Australian Market and Social Research Society
- Australian Marketing Institute
- Media Federation of Australia
- Public Relations Institute of Australia
- Real Estate Institute of Australia
FAQs
I want to submit an Expression of Interest for BUSN3002 but I am a first year student. Am I still eligible for enrolment in BUSN3002?
No. You have to complete at least 120 units to be eligible.
I want to submit an Expression of Interest for BUSN3002 but I am not a business student. Am I still eligible for enrolment in BUSN3002?
Yes, this course can be completed as an elective, however you will need to source your own placement.
When do we find out about course requirements?
You can do that NOW. Prior to enrolment, students can visit the online course handbook to access further information about the BUSN3002 .
I want to submit an Expression of Interest for BUSN3002 but I am not sure if I can complete the course as a directed in my major. Who can I seek help from?
After checking your Program Handbook and Program Plan, if you are still not sure, then email your Program Advisor at programadvice@newcastle.edu.au. Your Program Advisor will be able to check your program and advise the best way to complete the course.
When do I start looking for a placement?
NOW. It’s never too early. If you’ve already been offered an opportunity to take up a placement with a suitable organisation, don’t delay in sending through your CV and Cover Letter and/or making a telephone call! Being proactive and enthusiastic demonstrates initiative.
When should I prepare my placement paperwork (i.e. Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae)?
NOW. You should refer to the Careers Service Resources on the BUSN3002 Canvas site for helpful tips on creating your most effective ‘first impression’ documents, or visit Careers.
I have an idea of where I’d like to be placed, but I’m not sure if the organisation is suitable, what should I do?
Email the course coordinator BUSN3002@newcastle.edu.au and include the organisation’s URL in your email.
Can I arrange my own placement opportunity?
YES. Students are encouraged to organise their own placement opportunity when they have clearly identified a preferred host organisation. However, before making contact with the potential host, it is worth checking that the organisation is not already involved in hosting BUSN3002 students – if you are unsure, check with Dr Paul Stolk.
If the organisation supports a placement opportunity, it will need approval by the Course Coordinator. Ensure that you have contact details for a representative from the host organisation that can explain the proposed placement.
Are there any organisations looking for BUSN3002 students?
YES – check out CareerHub and search for BUSN3002.
Can I do my placement at my paid place of employment?
NO – Career-ready placement and the University of Newcastle Insurance Policies determine that students conducting work experience may not be paid employees of the organisation hosting them.
I’ve been in contact with an organisation and forwarded my CV and Cover Letter. The organisation is requesting information about BUSN3002 Course Requirements and Insurance Cover, what do I do?
Ask the Course Coordinator or email BUSN3002@newcastle.edu.au to contact the host organisation.
When do I complete the Placement Agreement Forms?
After the proposed workplace has been approved by the Course Coordinator, a placement agreement form will be completed by the host organisation, student and course coordinator.
The organisation I’m hoping to be hosted with wants to schedule my 100 hours for a 3-4 Week full time period – what should I do?
Discuss with them if it is possible for you to complete your placement before the start of semester (but this will require an early enrolment – see the course coordinator) OR possibly as part of the mid-semester break.
When can I officially start at my host organisation as a BUSN3002 student?
Only when you’ve received a formal approval email from the Course Coordinator, Dr. Paul Stolk, and after you have attended the first workshop (compulsory) and the University Insurance has sent the certificates of currency to your host organisation.
Can I self-enrol in BUSN3002 through myHub?
NO - A few key points in relation to enrolment in BUSN3002 for Semester 2:
- Enrolment is currently closed. This is because students will be manually enrolled into the course, as soon as they have obtained a 140-hour placement deemed suitable for the course by the course coordinator.
- Only students who have completed 120 units of their program can enrol in BUSN3002.
- Placements are currently available on CareerHub, please search ‘Jobs’ using the key search term BUSN3002. Successful applicants should inform BUSN3002@newcastle.edu.au to progress the placement agreement.
- Students who are seeking to do a placement they have organised themselves (i.e. not sourced via CareerHub) MUST send details of placement organisation and contact person to BUSN3002@newcastle.edu.au before the start of Semester 2.
- The first workshop of BUSN3002 (offered in Week 1 and repeated in Week 2) is compulsory – you cannot commence placement without attending this session.
When do I need to have completed all of my BUSN3002 hours?
By Week 13 of the semester. If the hours are unable to be completed by Week 13, contact the Course Coordinator. Usually, it is permissible for hours to be completed during the formal exam period, but this is contingent on the student and host organisation being amenable to such an arrangement.
How will I be assessed?
See pages 3-4 of the BUSN3002 Course Outline for assessment details and deadlines.
How does the grading work in BUSN3002 and will it affect my grade point average?
Students who complete the course receive either an ungraded pass or ungraded fail. It does not impact on GPA.
Does the program offer transport support for students?
Students are responsible for their own transport. By considering the course requirements and potential placement organisations, students should be prepared for the possibility of travel demands that are challenging.
I am an international student and I have no idea where to start looking for placements. Where can I get support to improve chances of getting a placement?
When looking for a placement, you can search for roles in CareerHub or you may do self-sourcing. To increase your chances of securing a placement, the Careers Service can help you with your applications. For more information, visit Careers.
I am an international student and I have no work experience. Will I be able to get a placement? How can I get higher chances of getting a placement?
Yes. To increase your chances of securing a placement, the Careers Service can help you with your applications. For more information, visit Careers.
How many compulsory workshops are there for BUSN3002?
Three - workshops occur in Weeks 1 (repeated in Week 2), 7 and 13.
Do I need to attend the Introductory Workshop in Week 1?
Yes, this is mandatory - as this session also contains information about workplace health and safety.
Contact us
If you are unable to obtain, or finding it difficult to source an opportunity, please contact:
BUSN3002 Course Coordinator:
Dr Paul Stolk
Email: BUSN3002@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: (02) 4921 7729
For all other enquiries, including SONIA enquiries, please contact:
Professional Experience Unit – College of Human and Social Futures
Email: CHSFWIL@newcastle.edu.au
Need extra help?
The Careers Service offers free support to all current and past students of the University of Newcastle. Visit Careers to learn more and get in touch.
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.