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Learning is rewarding in every form it takes, no matter whether you’re learning in class, online or even through a casual study group catch-up in the library. But do you ever feel the yearning for more hands-on learning?
There’s no doubt that classroom study is actively engaging and lectures are a great way to get to grips with a topic but, sometimes, it’s nice to sink your teeth in and put all that theory to use. After all, we’re going to head out into the real world at some point, right?
This is the big benefit of work integrated learning (or WIL) – a learning experience that gives us a taste for how we can actually apply the theory and skills we’ve acquired and maybe, just maybe, turn them into a dream career.
Where there’s a WIL there’s a way – in this case, the way is ‘work integrated learning’, which is what WIL stands for. If you ever see this three letter abbreviation on a university jobs and internships board, you’ll know there are some juicy real-life learning and work opportunities waiting for you.
But, before you get applying, it’s a good idea to explore the challenges and benefits of work integrated learning. So, let’s take a closer look at what work integrated learning is all about:
So, we know there’s real-world experiences involved in WIL programs, but how do those in the field actually define work integrated learning?
According to Dr Wayne Read, Academic Coordinator of WIL in the Deakin Business School, work integrated learning is ‘the educational space that brings universities, students, and industry/community together for some type of collaborative experience.’
But work integrated learning goes beyond just collaboration. Work integrated learning programs allow students to flex their academic muscles in real-life contexts and get a feel for the working world before they head out on their own. ‘It is typically a space that allows students to apply their university education in a real-world situation, whether that is working with real clients, patients, or other stakeholders,’ says Read.
While you may not have heard the term ‘work integrated learning’ before, it’s likely you’ve stumbled across different types of work integrated learning programs. There are three main types of work integrated learning: internships (a type of WIL so well-established there are even Anne Hathaway movies about it), consultancy experiences and entrepreneurial programs.
But don’t rush out to sign up to one of them yet – it’s worth understanding a little more about each first.
Work integrated learning programs offer a whole host of benefits for students.
One study suggests that work integrated learning offers ‘a unique student experience that potentially develops employability skills, strengthens student agency and self-regulation, builds personal attributes and citizenship, and nurtures career development.’ Read agrees and says that students can look forward to all sorts of benefits from work integrated learning – particularly when it comes to moving into a great job down the track.
‘For students, WIL experiences allow them to explore a potential career, Read says. ‘In some situations, WIL has allowed students to try different potential career options before they get to the end of their degree. For example, an internship can allow a student to gain the feel of working in a large or small environment and then adjust their career planning.’
Through work integrated learning experiences, Read has seen students get valuable time with organisations like Zoos Victoria, Disney, ANZ, CottonOn, and the Heart Foundation – all of which are big name, industry leaders. Beyond that, though, he says that the benefits of work integrated learning are in helping transition from those study days into achieving real career goals.
‘One of the biggest benefits of WIL is that it turns that textbook and theoretical knowledge into applied practice,’ he says. ‘Students gain real-world experience using the concepts that they have spent trimesters learning.’
With workplaces and industries always looking for the next batch of up-and-comers, Read says that work integrated learning experiences offer a chance for industry leaders to find new talent.
‘For industry, WIL experiences can help them find new staff. Many students turn their WIL experience into on-going relationships. In this way, it can help some organisations build their brand as a good place to work amongst future graduates, it can let them get to know and network with students and generally engage with the future of that industry.’
Work integrated learning could also have benefits for the economy. In fact, increasing work integrated learning opportunities in Australia could help boost the economy by $250 million through up-skilling and work-readiness.
It’s super exciting to start a WIL experience or even just consider one, but there are definitely a few things to keep in mind.
Read says that challenges of work integrated learning include making sure the experience is beneficial to students (not just an organisation that needs an extra pair of hands) and navigating the whole paid versus unpaid internship debate.
It’s important for students to be prepared and informed before jumping into any WIL experience – something Read is always ready to help with.
‘For students we have developed a set of pre-placement modules that take the through key elements around WIL, workplace behaviour and communication, as well as all the supports we have available to them,’ he says.
Ready for the best part? Finding a WIL experience that suits your goals can depend on who you are, what you’re interested in and where you’re studying but, Read has some advice to get you on the right path.
‘There are many online platforms that will advertise internship opportunities,’ he says. ‘These can be things like Seek and GradConnect. At Deakin, our careers team, DeakinTalent, manages a jobs board that lists a range of WIL and other opportunities. Each faculty at Deakin also has their own WIL team that helps students navigate the requirements and can answer a range of WIL related questions.’
Don’t hold back, get those applications in!
For anyone ready to give work integrated learning jobs a shot, it’s worth heading to those online platforms Read mentioned above. And, if you’re really gung-ho, you can always research your own opportunities directly.
If you need a hand figuring out how to apply for work integrated learning opportunities, Read says help is always available. ‘The faculty teams can help students navigate these types of situations, so it is always great for the students to reach out, ask questions and understand the requirements and timing.’
