We always talk about the importance of and internship and local experience, but in this blog I hope to break down the importance to 4 particular industries, particularly given the current labour climate for each.
ACCOUNTING
The market
There is a demand for accounting professionals in Australia, particularly in Melbourne, but yet there are thousands of recent university graduates struggling to get employed.
Work experience
Employers demand a pool of candidates who have proven capabilities in their field. Employers appreciate that everyone needs to start somewhere, but they still need to make sensible business decisions in hiring someone who can walk in and get the job done. Yes, they even expect fresh graduates to have had local work experience.
Internship
An internship gives you the proven reliability and passion that employers need. There are many corporations and private practices that act as host companies for people like you, to offer you the work experience you need to get you ready for a job in the field of accounting and may even looking to employ. They won’t let a skilled staff member go if you prove yourself!
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The market
In Melbourne and all throughout Australia, the Information Technology industry, in a large sense, is undergoing a creative freeze due to external factors. Smaller companies are not looking to create new IT roles and the majority of roles available are in highly experienced fields.
Work experience
Some university graduates are personable and wise enough to secure themselves a Helpdesk role, but even still they strive for more when paying for university fees with the focus on Networking, Business Analysis, Development, to name a few. This is where an internship is a sensible investment!
Internship
We have a wide range of IT companies who are looking to hire fresh graduates by letting them start through work experience first and then are likely to employ if you work up to their expectations. You can respect that companies take this safer form of recruitment.
MARKETING
The market
The jobs are there, but only for those with the confidence, charisma, motivation, and proven experience to get a true sniff of a new and exciting role in 2015.
Work experience
You would have a very hard time convincing a company to employ you if you don’t have any past local work experience and examples of your capabilities to prove that you are worth taking the risk. Don’t pretend that you can get employed in a position that makes you happy just because you have a degree, everyone these days does! Prove that you’re worth it through work experience and gain the networks you need to remain competitive and increase your employability changes in Australia.
Internship
A Marketing Internship is a terrific way to build up a portfolio of your work. Internship positions offer you real work in real companies, providing you with a hands-on work experience in Melbourne and throughout the rest of Australia.
ENGINEERING
The market
Some areas such as manufacturing are still on the decline in Australia, but building and planning is booming, just take a look at all the construction!
Work experience
Universities vary in the level of software that they teach. If you honestly don’t feel you have basic operational understanding of the latest AutoCAD for example, then I suggest in investing in a short course so that employers know to take you seriously. You need to prove having specific skills and sufficient experience in those skills to being able to at least be considered by an employer.
Internship
10 years ago, no one knew what an internship was. Career of the Day helped represent the board which got Internships legally included into the Fair Work Act and now the importance of an internship is so strong in the field of engineering that now most Melburnian and Australian universities require a 3 month internship to successfully complete your degree.
In general we advice; don’t fall behind! If you are a current student or recent graduate don’t let time slip away.
Every day you’re sitting at home looking for a job you build up a gap on your resume, you don’t earn money and don’t develop relevant work experience in your field. Doing an internship might cost you a bit of money, time and energy, but it pays itself back after 12 weeks of hard work and devotion. Here a few benefits to give you an idea:
- You gain local experience
- You gain hands-on experience
- It is an easy way to meet people and start up your professional network
- You get a taste of the Australian business culture
- You give your resume a boos
- You learn a bunch of things you didn’t learn at school yet
- You receive a reference letter from the company and from us
Plus most important, you might meet your future employer!
Start 2015 with the correct knowledge in mind. We wish you all the best for your future. This blog is just an overview, if you have any further questions I welcome you to connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email: evan@careeroftheday.com