Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations

Internship Program

In discussion over laptopExpand your horizons and develop your career opportunities by completing an internship especially designed for Masters students. You will gain work experience in an approved institution in Australia or overseas and gain credit towards your degree. If you choose to complete the unit from overseas you are required to find your own placement.

It is now more important than ever that graduates are able to show prospective employers that they are able to operate in a professional environment.  

Click here to watch an Introduction to the Master of International Relations Program. 

Benefits of an Internship

 

  • Safe, supportive way to get a taste of your future career
  • Put your theoretical knowledge to the test
  • Excellent addition to your resume
  • Build your industry contacts through networking
  • Add diversity to your study program
  • Learn more about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses
  • Develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving

Program Details

Interns are required to complete a set number of internship hours and a range of academic assessments.

  • Internship hours required - 130 hours (approximately 10 hours per week)
  • Credit points - 4 credit points
  • Availability - Session 1 and Session 2 only
  • Support from a Workplace Supervisor and the MIR Program Director

Internship PlacementsConference with Australia China Business Council

Internship placements are limited, competitive and cannot be guaranteed. Partnerships are arranged on a best-fit basis, where the needs of the organisation and the student are carefully compared and matched. Students may source their own internship placement, subject to approval from internship staff. If you have found your own internship placement, please contact the Convenor of the unit (Dr Lavina Lee) by the application date, with details of the internship placement. We expect that any internship placement will require the Intern to make a real contribution to operations of an organisation, such as though research, writing operational reports, or working on significant projects. 

Past Host organisations

  • The Smith Family
  • iCare
  • Australia China Business Council
  • British Consulate
  • European Australian Business Council
  • RESULTS International Australia
  • Action on Smoking and Health
  • The Refugee Council
  • ISIS Foundation
  • Amnesty International
  • NSW Business Chamber
  • Macquarie University - Sustainability Office
  • SLASA

Eligibility

To be eligible for the internship program, students must:

  • Have completed at least three units of their MIR degree
  • Have the internship unit (IRPG838) available as an elective in their degree, and room for it in their degree program
  • Have a current Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3 out of 4 for their MIR degree
  • Demonstrate excellent spoken and written English
  • Demonstrate that they have the potential to successfully operate in a professional environment by meeting a range of criteria in an interview with an Internship Advisor

Application Process

Students are required to apply for the program approximately one month prior to the start of the semester in which they wish to participate. For enquiries and application eligibility , please email  Kelli-lee Drake 

Deadlines
  1. Session Two 2017 - applications are now open and close Friday 14 July 2017.

           

Application Instructions

Students are required to read the following instructions before submitting their application:

  1. Get in touch with the Department regarding eligibility for the unit. Email: kelli-lee.drake@mq.edu.au
  2. If eligible, you will be contacted regarding your formal application.
  3. Submit on-line application: You will be given instructions regarding your online application.
  4. Prepare resume and cover letter
    To ensure consistency across applications, students are required to write their cover letter and resume via the Australian Guidelines. These must be written in one Word document.
  5. Application acknowledgement
    All applications will be acknowledged via email.
  6. Internship advisor interview
    Attend an interview with an Internship Advisor to discuss the type of placement you are looking for and sign the internship agreement. This is your chance to demonstrate your study background, skills and interests with the internship staff so they can assess your suitability to undertaking an internship and what kind of projects you would be best suited to.
  7. Interview outcome and projects
    All students will be notified by email of the outcome of this interview. Successful students will be emailed a range of internship projects to consider.
  8. Internship preferences
    Students are required to research each organisation and reply to their Internship Advisor with their listed preferences
  9. Application submission
    Internship Advisors submit student applications to the host organisation for consideration.
  10. Host organisation interview
    The host organisation selects the candidate(s) to interview and a formal interview at the host organisation will be arranged through the Internship Advisor.
  11. Enrolment
    Students that are successful in securing an internship placement will have a waiver placed on their enrolment, allowing them to enrol in the unit before the deadline.
  12. Commencement of internship
    Students then commence their internship hours and academic requirements.