Preparing for your future career takes more than classroom study. It takes fearless thinking, a bold determination and an understanding of the needs of future employers. That’s why Flinders created the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program.

At Flinders, we work closely with industry. We support and empower our students to develop their own career-ready skills and experiences. We help cut through the uncertainties of a rapidly-changing workplace.

Flinders offers students the opportunity to work with their chosen industry with a variety of work-based initiatives, including  (WIL) placements, onsite relationships with industry and practical hands-on experience throughout your degree. It’s an attractive aspect to many students.

These placements and opportunities give you the edge on your competition. With actual hands-on experience and the added bonus of network building, you’ll graduate highly desirable to employers and recruiters.

Flinders’ WIL program gives you the chance to:

• develop an awareness of workplace culture and expectations
• better understand the rapidly changing world of work
• develop a portfolio of work experience to put you ahead of the pack

Our industry links are wide and varied, and cover every area of study. In fact, many of our lecturers are active professionals in their own fields, like award-winning author and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing Dr Amy Matthews, or director of video production company Frankie Films and lecturer in Screen Production, Dr Tom Young.

Work Integrated Learning is a major part of our degrees, and highly regarded by potential employers. Anthony Skeats, Engineering Manager at Micro-X has been involved in the WIL program, and continues to be impressed by the quality of Flinders students.

The students are very good quality. In my day, when you came out from university you were very wet behind the ears. The students today have a lot more skills…. they’ve learned to apply these skills a little bit better so they can hit the ground running.

Lachy Sutherland, Manager, Aboriginal Engagement Reconciliation at Department of Environment and Water also sees placing Flinders students as a benefit.

It’s a great opportunity for the student to learn but also for our organisation. In the future, we’d love to see some of these same students who go through the placement secure jobs in science, in management, in engineering within the agency.”.

At Australian Rail Track Corporation, Phil Campbell (GM, Technical Standards) is proud to be involved in a program that helps future graduates.

There’s no doubt the 20 weeks gives them the chance to do something they can put on their resumes. We like to give them something they can start and finish. Be responsible for. Something they can say ‘I did that’.

And for Luca Gnezda, Managing Director of Taptu, Flinders’ WIL program has been a sensational success.

“Every student we’ve taken on for WIL has either gone on to get a job with us, or we’ve helped get them interviews and built their networks so they can get their own jobs. Internally we’ve had 8 that we’ve employed”.

Luca was particularly impressed with two Flinders students, who have taken the next step with the company.

“I’ve actually brought them onto my company board. To give advice from a young person’s perspective so we can stay young, fresh and dynamic. We take input from a strategic perspective from young people”.

Flinders’ WIL program is just one element in a suite of initiatives designed to ensure students graduate work-ready, and future ready. We have multiple contact points with industry, including our annual Joblink Summits that connect students with potential employers.

We're here to help you find out more about our industry links and placement opportunities.

Contact us

We offer one-on-one appointments with our prospective student team to discuss career options, pathways, and course and entry requirements.