Industry Partners | Co-NNECTIONS

Welcome To Co-NNECTIONS

Co-NNECTIONS is a diversity initiative providing students from low socio-economic or rural/remote backgrounds, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students at UNSW with access to professional experience, training, and networks, so they can start building the skills and resources needed for a successful future.

Co-NNECTIONS is delivered in partnership with industry, who are pivotal in providing a range of rich learning environments and experiences for the students at different stages of the program.

For oganisations seeking ways to attract high potential students from diverse backgrounds, Co-NNECTIONS offers a unique talent pipeline, while providing the necessary training, mentoring and support to help the students succeed.

How Industry Are Involved

Professional Development & Networking

We invite organisations to get involved in an intensive 'Industry Bootcamp', typically held in the second half of the year. This ideally involves hosting the Co-NNECTIONS student cohort on site for a professional development workshop and networking, but could take place on the UNSW campus. Companies have the opportunity to build awareness of their brand and graduate opportunities, while students gain the confidence and knowledge to position themselves effectively.

Professional Internship

Industry partners have the opportunity to provide a 3- 6 month supervised internship to one or more Co-NNECTIONS students who have completed the earlier stages of the program.

Typically, companies have an internship role or project in mind, and interview several students within the cohort who may be suitable before selecting. The program supports students going on placement with a workplace induction, regular checks-ins, and online tools to support goal setting, supervision and performance review/feedback.

Approximately half of the students undertaking an internship were offered continuing work by their sponsor either causally or through an existing employment program or pathway.

Financial Support

Companies hosting a student for an internship contribute to an Equity Award that the student receives as part of the program. This award is vital for the student to support themselves while studying and interning.

The amount of the Award will be calculated based on the length of the internship and is paid upfront by the sponsor to UNSW who then pay the student a fortnightly stipend over the course of the internship. A student completing a 40 day internship would typically receive an award of $7,500.

Companies still have the option to employ and pay their student intern directly according to their industry rates if this is a preferable arrangement.

About Our Students

The Co-NNECTIONS cohort offers huge potential for organisations who value corporate social responsibility and seek depth and diversity in their recruitment. Students are accepted into the program based on their unique background, life experiences, and the challenges they have encountered, as well as their hunger to make the most of opportunities and create a positive and successful future.

The cohort is comprised of students from low socio-economic backgrounds, rural/remote students, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students, first in family to attend university, refugee students, and students with a disability.

Read what some of last year’s cohort have to say about their experiences, and the positive contributions they made to the organisations involved.

Industry FAQs

Read the FAQs to find out more about the program, including how the internships work and hosting the students as part of the Industry Bootcamp.

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Who are our Industry Partners?

The diversity of the organisations involved in Co-NNECTIONS reflects the nature of this program. From startups to global corporations across a wide range of sectors, all organisations are welcome to get involved and support this fantastic cohort of students.

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Connect With Us

The Co-NNECTIONS team would be delighted to talk to you about how your organisation could get involved in the program and connect with the diversity of talented students at UNSW.

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