Professional Placement
Program at University of Technology Sydney
Real-world experience.
Impactful student contributions.
Work-ready graduates.
Placement Examples Impactful student contributions.
Work-ready graduates.
Our Host Organisations
What Is Professional Placement?
- Capstone SubjectThe Professional Placement is a capstone subject in the Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) at UTS.
- Placement TimeframeStudents complete 80–100 hours of workplace experience, typically over one day per week for 8–10 weeks or through an intensive block format.
- Defined ProjectEach placement involves contributing to a clearly defined project, allowing students to apply their academic learning while creating tangible outcomes for the host organisation.
- FlexibilityPlacements are designed to be mutually beneficial and adaptable, offering flexible arrangements that meet the needs of both students and partner organisations.
Who Are Our Students?
UTS students majoring in Social and Political Sciences are equipped with:
Many students also bring additional experience from combined studies in:
UTS students majoring in Social and Political Sciences are equipped with:
- Research and evaluation skills
- Policy and political analysis
- Strategic communication and advocacy
- Critical thinking and collaborative practice
Many students also bring additional experience from combined studies in:
- Law
- Creative Intelligence and Innovation
You Can Ask Our Students To:
- Draft policy submissions
- Conduct literature reviews or evaluations
- Create discussion papers or advocacy materials
- Design pilot research projects
- Support program delivery or campaign development
- Conduct data collection & data analysis
Project Examples
All Together Now
All Together Now is an independent, secular, non-partisan Australian not-for-profit established in 2010. The placement project focuses on Game Changers, a new initiative exploring the intersection of online gaming and far-right extremism. Supported by the Department of Home Affairs, this co-design project engages young people from Sydney’s Inner West to create and implement innovative, gamer-led solutions that promote belonging and counter extremist narratives in gaming spaces.
The placement student conducted desk-based research on far-right extremism and online gaming, contributed to the design and delivery of the co-design program, and supported the All Together Now team. They also assisted in developing content for the organisation’s website and social media.
The placement student conducted desk-based research on far-right extremism and online gaming, contributed to the design and delivery of the co-design program, and supported the All Together Now team. They also assisted in developing content for the organisation’s website and social media.
Media Diversity Australia (MDA)
Media Diversity Australia (MDA) is a national not-for-profit organisation founded by journalists in 2017. MDA works to create a media landscape that truly reflects Australia’s diversity. Through evidence-based research, tailored internships, fellowships, mentoring programs, and strategic industry partnerships, MDA challenges the status quo and builds pathways for equitable representation across Australian media.
This placement involved supporting MDA’s ongoing advocacy and communications work. Key tasks included brainstorming policy reform ideas, strategising and creating social media content aligned with MDA’s mission, and conducting desktop research to support new and emerging initiatives. Students also assisted in developing content for MDA’s biannual newsletter.
This placement involved supporting MDA’s ongoing advocacy and communications work. Key tasks included brainstorming policy reform ideas, strategising and creating social media content aligned with MDA’s mission, and conducting desktop research to support new and emerging initiatives. Students also assisted in developing content for MDA’s biannual newsletter.
Women Sport Australia (WSA)
Women Sport Australia (WSA) is the peak national advocacy body for women in sport. Established in 2005 as the Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) and rebranded in 2017, WSA is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing gender equality and opportunity across all levels of sport in Australia.
This placement project investigated how male and female Olympic athletes are portrayed in mainstream media in the lead-up to and during the Games. By analysing media coverage across multiple platforms, the project identified patterns and potential gender biases in representation, tone, and visibility. The findings informed advocacy strategies that promote fair and equitable media coverage of women athletes and highlighted how media narratives shape public perception and athlete recognition.
This placement project investigated how male and female Olympic athletes are portrayed in mainstream media in the lead-up to and during the Games. By analysing media coverage across multiple platforms, the project identified patterns and potential gender biases in representation, tone, and visibility. The findings informed advocacy strategies that promote fair and equitable media coverage of women athletes and highlighted how media narratives shape public perception and athlete recognition.
Inner Sydney Voice (ISV)
Inner Sydney Voice (ISV) has promoted social justice and community development for over 40 years, supporting residents and workers across the City of Sydney, Bayside, Randwick, Waverley, Woollahra and the Inner West.
This placement involved developing two digital induction kits—one for volunteers and one for workers—covering key local data and resources for six LGAs. The student conducted desktop research using ABS, ARDT, CIPA and other sources to compile demographic, health and housing information, and incorporated ISV’s existing stakeholder and interagency contacts. The final output was a digital research kit and content for an induction video and podcast to support local service providers.
This placement involved developing two digital induction kits—one for volunteers and one for workers—covering key local data and resources for six LGAs. The student conducted desktop research using ABS, ARDT, CIPA and other sources to compile demographic, health and housing information, and incorporated ISV’s existing stakeholder and interagency contacts. The final output was a digital research kit and content for an induction video and podcast to support local service providers.
What Our Industry Partners Say
Insurance and Supervision
- InsuranceUTS provides indemnity and insurance for all placement students
- SupervisionYou’ll nominate a workplace supervisor who will guide the student’s work; offer feedback throughout the placement, provide a short written reference
- Academic SupportUTS maintains contact with you and the student, and handles final assessment and support
Interested in Hosting a Student
or Learning More?
or Learning More?
Talk to Dr Olga Oleinikova, Associate Professor & Subject Coordinator
+610406479019
olga.oleinikova@uts.edu.au
Acknowledgement of Country
UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.