Don't wait 'til you've graduated before you start thinking about your future. Take advantage of these opportunities at Deakin while you study.
Let's face it - uni is a lot. Most employers are well aware of the struggles students face while completing their tertiary education, which means extra curricular activities really stand out. They show you have great time management, are an ambitious and organised student, and have potential for professional development and leadership roles in the future.
But opportunities are often hard to come by and, if you're time-poor like most students, you probably don't have a lot of energy to seek them out.
That's why this article consolidates some of Deakin's best resume-boosting opportunities. Here, you'll find plenty of ways to get more involved within the Deakin community, no matter where your interests lie.
Here are some of the opportunities you can take advantage of while you're studying at Deakin:
Study Abroad While COVID has undoubtedly affected the Deakin Abroad programs, they're still running. Virtual programs are a convenient way to fill uni breaks while completing your degree and gaining invaluable international experiences. If you're more keen on completing a Trimester Abroad, you can fill out an expression of interest form to be notified when they're up and running again. Getting approved can be a lengthy process, so make sure you think forward and begin the applications well in advance. Some programs even offer travel grants, which is something to keep in mind when applying.
Global Citizenship Program (GCP) The GCP is awarded to students who've met certain internationally-focused criteria throughout their degree. It goes hand-in-hand with study abroad opportunities. Check out the program and application process here.
Peer Mentor Program Peer Mentors are experienced Deakin students who have a passion for helping new students in their faculty. Joining this program as a Peer Mentor is a great way to develop and display leadership qualities, all while making new friends. Read more here.
Micro-credentials Micro-credentials are fairly new to the world of employment, but they're already a respectable addition to your resume or LinkedIn profile. Depending on your degree or faculty, there are a few Hallmarks you can gain through Deakin. Check out the website to see which ones you're eligible for. Deakin runs workshops from time to time so you can learn more about them - get in touch with the team here.
Get involved with DUSA clubs And I don't just mean sign up. Running a club shows competence in leadership, organisation, administrative tasks, and teamwork. Each club has three primary leadership roles:
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Of course, larger clubs also have a committee with extra roles you can apply for. Keep an eye out for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the club you're interested in running - it's always in T2. You'll be able to nominate yourself and win member's votes to become part of the executive team for the next year.
At the time of writing, DUSA has over 110 clubs for you to choose from. Find your perfect match and get involved!
Writing or Math Mentoring Writing and Math Mentors are current students working with Deakin to provide support for fellow students. These paid opportunities are listed via the DeakinTALENT portal. All you need to do is log in with your Deakin credentials and keep an eye out for one of these to be listed.
Get involved with DUSA DUSA is Deakin's Student Association, which means they're primarily run by and for students. You can learn about becoming a DUSA Student Representative here.
Internships One of the best ways to gain experience through your studies, internships allow students to gain an insight and experience into your desired industry or profession. If you have the space on your course map, you can even use one of Deakin's dedicated internship units to integrate an internship with your course. Keep an eye on DeakinTALENT for internship opportunities in the upcoming trimesters. Alternatively, you can source your own internship externally and consult a Course Advisor to see if it can fits your course requirements. You can even apply for support funding once your internship is approved. Want to feed two birds with one scone? Do an international internship, and gain study abroad experience at the same time.
Deakin Councils & Committees This is a great way to gain leadership and policy-making skills - perfect for those interested in management or politics. You can learn more about University elections here.
Become a PASS leader PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) are study groups run by a student who's previously excelled in that unit. If there's a subject you were particularly good at, this is a great opportunity for you. Learn more about becoming a PASS Leader here. Applications for 2022 open in October 2021.
Deakin is always adding new opportunities throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye on the News section in DeakinSync and also for listings in DeakinTALENT.
Don't just keep to the uni community - branch out further with these opportunities.
Work casually or part-time alongside your studies. DeakinTALENT has some great resources to get you started. It's best to work within fields you've got experience in but don't be afraid to start branching out into new industries now. Set up some searches on SEEK and see where it takes you. DUELS also has a Job Board, so be sure to check that out from time to time.
Volunteer. If you want to start gaining experience in your projected field before you graduate, volunteering is a great way to get started. You can start your volunteer position search here.
Join professional associations. This is a great way to begin networking in your field and furthering your education. Professional associations exist for nearly every industry you can think of. Whether you're interested in publishing, finance, or law, there'll be an association or society for you. There is often an annual fee for joining professional associations, so be sure to make the most of your membership benefits.
By putting in some extra time and effort, you'll show potential employers that you already understand the meaning of hard work. If you want your resume to shine before you even set foot in an interview, take up some of these opportunities today.
You can become part of the DUELS team to start padding out your resume.
If you want to become a DUELS executive, put your name forward at our annual AGM (held in T2 each year). Alternatively, get in touch with us at any time to see how you can become involved today.