The UNSW WIL (Work Integrated Learning) program provides opportunities for students to work on real projects with units like the Immersive Team as part of their degree. All the Immersive projects have or have had WIL students working on them alongside the staff in the team and it is wonderful to think that all our projects have this student DNA in them when they are being used later and it is hugely rewarding to see these students grow in their skills and confidence across their placement.
Initiative Details
Some of the key programs that have students working with the Immersive Team on our projects include
- Software Engineering (3 term honours thesis)
- Simulation and Immersive Technology (1 term capstone)
- Design and Media Arts (1 term PEP course)
Other examples include industrial work experience and the international student PDP.
At any point in time the team has around 25 WIL students working on projects in a variety of roles. If you check the credit pages for each of the projects and initiatives you can find the specifics of the placements.
BLOG POST: Media & Immersive: students at the heart of our projects
Data
While I assumed like any other student completing their first internship that I would be bringing them coffee and just eagerly absorbing/ watching these professionals do their job while I stayed on the sidelines. I was pleasantly surprised to find out just how inclusive the whole team is when it comes to new members. Not only did I feel comfortable to express my design ideas to Graham, Ashley and, Aiden. But these members of the ‘Race to the South Pole' project were all just as excited and passionate about this leadership simulation game as I was! I was given a lot of opportunities to just have fun talking to them about my ideas. Something that was really exciting for me because I realised that all the knowledge and hard work I did studying my graphics/UX courses really paid off!! I was prompted and encouraged to express what I thought. While working here I felt like an actual professional being taken seriously and not just some random student. I was actually applying all that I had learnt from class, but in a practical way which was so awesome!
I would definitely recommend this placement to others. If It wasn't for this opportunity at UNSW immersive technologies I don’t think I would have had as much confidence applying for design jobs outside of campus. Working there helped me hone my graphics/ ux design skills as well as boost my confidence in terms of my creative practice (as a whole) and for that I’m truly grateful!
Lucy Shi, Design & Media Arts PEP WIL Placement
Placements
2022
16 x Software Engineering Thesis Projects (3 terms each)
9 x Master of Simulation & Immersive Technology Capstone Projects (1 term each)
4 x PDP Professional Development Program (1 term each)
2023
24 x Software Engineering Thesis Projects (3 terms each)
7 x Master of Simulation & Immersive Technology Capstone Projects (1 term each)
4 x PDP Professional Development Program (1 term each)
4 x PEP Media Arts WIL Placements ( 1 term each)
2024
16 x Software Engineering Thesis Projects (3 terms each)
17 x Master of Simulation & Immersive Technology Capstone Projects (1 term each)
1 x Engineering Internship (1 term each)
NOTES
There have been more WIL students attached to the Media team as well.
2024 numbers are from 2 out of 3 terms.
Numbers are inflated by projects going across years or students repeating.
Over these 3 years total students was 90 rather than 102.
Get Involved
WIL placements are organised through the specifics of programs with work integrated learning opportunities or requirements. Students looking to join the team on a WIL placement will usually need to apply through those processes but can always get in touch to ask questions. Academics or programs looking to partner in this way are also encouraged to get in touch.
- Email: [email protected]