Career Connect
Connect the dots. Build your career.
Career Connect links you with learning opportunities and experiences outside the classroom. Prepare for your transition into the world of work and gain the confidence to communicate your value.
Find out more about Career Connect 01:50
About the program
Career Connect is designed to help you build the essential knowledge, skills and experience that you need for the world of work. Statistics show that extra-curricular activities, transferable skills and industry knowledge are must-haves when forging your career path. Whether you want to get your dream job, be well prepared for your career-ready placement, have profound social impact, or start your own business – Career Connect has something for everyone.
Career Connect is open to all current students of the University of Newcastle. To join, you’ll first need to learn how to develop employability skills and how to communicate your value by completing a short online module. You will then gain access to the Career Connect portal and over 100 extra-curricular activities that will build your employability.
Within the program, you will be invited to record and reflect on the experiences you participate in as part of your University journey. You will be able to download your reflection and experience records, which can be used to provide future employers with evidence of the skills that they demand in the world of work.
The Career Connect Award
By participating in Career Connect you are one step closer to achieving the Career Connect Award. The Award provides you with formal recognition of your extra-curricular experiences and resulting employability skills which will prepare you for career-ready placements and when applying for work.
What do I need to do to get the Award?
To join the program, complete the online module or attend a Career Connect workshop/lecture delivered within your course.
The Award requirements are split into three categories. You must complete all three of the activity categories listed below:
Community Experience
Complete 75 hours of activity that contributes to the development of the University and/or wider community. This may include:
- Volunteering (e.g., with Uni Crew)
- Contributing to clubs and society leadership
- Being a student mentor
- External sporting, cultural or religious activities
- Engaging with not-for-profit organisations
Work Experience
Complete 100 hours of paid or unpaid work experience that develops professional skills. Casual or part-time work that provides you opportunity to develop and enhance your employability skills can be counted in your work experience hours. This may include embedded career-ready placement activities including clinical placements, practicums and internships.
Personal Development
Complete one of the following:
- Participate in 5 personal development experiences, such as career development learning workshops, student conferences, engagement in a mentor relationship, attendance at expos or industry events, etc; OR
- Participate in a University of Newcastle endorsed training and development program; OR
- Serve as a Club and Societies Senior Executive for at least 12 months (e.g., as President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary)
Once you have completed an experience you must record your experience within your Career Connect dashboard. Taking the time to reflect on your experiences allows you to understand how you are demonstrating employability skills.
Once you have completed all the program requirements, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a written application for the Award, and the application form will become available to you in your personal Career Connect platform. Upon review of your application, you will be invited to attend an interview for the Award.
Upon successful completion of the interview, you will receive the Career Connect Award. In recognition of your achievement, you will receive an Award Certificate, and your achievements will be listed on your Transcript and AHEGS statement.
For more information, please refer to the Career Connect Experience Guide and Terms and Conditions.
Skills employers are looking for
Employability skills, generic skills, soft skills and transferable skills all refer to the abilities that employers look for when choosing their next employee.
These skills reliably appear across all discipline areas. Graduates who understand the importance of employability skills and can provide evidence of these in job applications are highly competitive.
Career Connect’s top ten employability skills
- Analytical thinking – use logic to seek and assess information to address issues or problems
- Communication – effectively contribute to a productive and harmonious workplace
- Digital literacy – adopt and adapt to new digital technologies
- Enterprise – generate original or alternative thinking to develop new ideas and concepts
- Leadership – take responsibility for self and others, and support a team to focus on goals
- Organisation – plan, prioritise and manage resources to achieve goals and objectives
- Problem solving – identify problems, evaluate options, and implement solutions
- Resilience – open to change and variety, with the ability to thrive despite challenges
- Self-management – keep emotions in check, even in difficult or challenging situations
- Teamwork – cooperate with others in a team and adapt to different working styles
Join Career Connect
Complete the short online module to gain access to over 100 skill-building extracurriculars.
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Already registered?
Head to your personal page to find your next skill-building experience.
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Information for staff
Learn how you can contribute to the Career Connect program as a staff member here.
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.