Course overview
This course prepares students for the transition from undergraduate degree to professional employment and/or further study. Students choose one of two pathways. Pathway A involves a self-organised industry placement of 100 hours, and an opportunity to gain experience in a media industry sector by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placement paperwork must be completed and signed off prior to commencement. Pathway B allows students to design and undertake a self-directed desktop research project using public domain materials and focusing on an industry-relevant research question. The project can be a standalone piece of desktop research, or can be designed as a preliminary study for future research. Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, supported by a seminar program, Media Industry Transitions provides opportunities for students to put into practice and extend what they have learned throughout their degree.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply work integrated learning principles or research training to engage with contemporary industry-related challenges and employment opportunities in the media and communications sector
- Use appropriately targeted research and/or communication strategies for seeking future employment in the media and communications sector
- Communicate professionally in a range of genres used in the media and communications sector, including preparing reports to a professional standard
- Reflect on, critically assess, consolidate and synthesise academic and industry research and training
- Form personalised learning objectives for ongoing professional development
- If choosing the Internship option: Manage personal contact with external bodies professionally, and handle work-related documents efficiently
- If choosing the Research Project: Locate and evaluate secondary sources to identify and address industry research questions, and assess the limitations of secondary research when conducting industry research
- If choosing the Internship option: Contribute ethically, meaningfully and professionally in the workplace, both individually and as part of a team
- Build appropriate relationships with supervisors, co-workers and external groups, including clients
- If choosing the Research Project: Design and conduct an ethically- and methodologically-sound desktop research study on a relevant industry issue