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 and a certificate acknowledging your achievements.
For more information, please refer to the Career Connect Experience Guide and Terms and Conditions.
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.