In consultation with the Director and Advisor, students identify preferred placements from among a pool of placements available for that semester and rank them in order of preference. The Director and Advisors make every effort to direct students toward placements that match both their abilities and their interests. While the Director tries to meet individual requests, participants are expected to remain somewhat flexible in their demands. Understandably, participants with high level skills in a particular field may have more opportunities open to them. Specific internship needs can sometimes be met for students with a strong background in a particular field, such as the sciences, film production, photography, etc.
Students are usually able to obtain their first or second internship choice.
Students are not placed in specific internships prior to the orientation and interview period. The Internship Period Interns who work a significant number of hours each week are more likely to be assigned interesting and substantive projects, with real responsibilities. Interns work three full days and one half day per week for the duration of the 10-week internship period. Office hours vary according to the place of employment. Students elect two University for 3 semester credits each, which they attend at the University of Wollongong twice a week, on their non-working days.