Careers and employability for Indigenous students
Get tailored career and employability support as an Indigenous student at Swinburne.
Artwork: Awabakal by Michelle Searle
Explore our career resources
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can connect with employment networks and access career opportunities. We work closely with the Swinburne Careers and Employability team to encourage Indigenous students to engage in paid internships, placements, post-study employment opportunities, plus part-time and casual work while studying.
Discuss employment opportunities
Reach out to an Indigenous Student Advisor to discuss jobs, careers or student placements at indigenousstudents@swinburne.edu.au.
Build and optimise your resume
Need help putting together your CV? Our online tool will help you build and optimise your CV to boost your chances of getting an interview.
Our partnership with CareerTrackers
CareerTrackers is a national not-for-profit organisation that provides paid internship opportunities for First Nations students. Through this partnership, students gain hands-on industry experience that aligns with their career aspirations, supporting their transition from university to professional life.
Internships run over a 12-week period during the summer and winter terms, offering students exposure to diverse fields such as law, finance and engineering. Interns receive valuable professional experience through structured, multi-year internships with leading employers, while also engaging in leadership development and networking opportunities.
The CareerTrackers program is designed to foster success by focusing on three key pillars: University, Internship, and Community. Academic achievement remains a priority, with dedicated Student Advisors offering guidance.
A strong community network further enhances student success, with alumni and senior participants mentoring new students throughout their journey. With over 1,300 alumni and a growing network of professionals, CareerTrackers continues to create lasting generational change by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in the workforce.
Throughout her Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree, Cadi has enjoyed and flourished in four internships at LinkedIn with the support from CareerTrackers.
Swinburne's Pro Vice-Chancellor – Indigenous Engagement Professor John Evans (middle) with CareerTrackers CEO Taryn Marks (left) and Intern Program Manager Nikki Smith (right).
Discover career resources
Access specific career resources for Indigenous students
SwinEmploy has developed career resources specifically for Indigenous students. Find jobs boards, careers events, AI job applications and interview tools, industry information and useful articles.
Explore other employability resources at Swinburne
Improve your employability with expert advice and job application assistance, and access a range of seminars, workshops, conferences and employer sessions.
An Indigenous Student Advisor can support and connect you to employment networks and career opportunities during your studies.
Explore more
-
Indigenous Academic Success Program
-
Scholarships for Indigenous students
-
Cultural engagement for Indigenous students
-
Indigenous spaces and places
-
Orientation for Indigenous students
-
Graduation for Indigenous students
-
Indigenous Student Charter
The story of this painting named Awabakal is underpinned by the four principles of the Indigenous Student Charter, which are expressed as four message sticks holding the knowledges of Being and Becoming, Being and Belonging, Cultural Responsiveness, and Indigenous Perspectives and Standpoints.
The emu and kangaroo tracks
The tracks on the message sticks represent the students' journey forward mimicking the gait of the emu and kangaroo as they are both only able to walk forward.
The manna gum leaves
The leaves represent our connection to land, the beautiful lands of the Wurundjeri people.
The circle
The circle supporting the message sticks represents the coming together to listen and learn to share building strong relationships and understanding the importance of a diverse range of cultural knowledge and perspectives that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students bring.
The red space
The red space represents the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their connections to Mother Earth. The different surrounding dots are supportive of the unique relationship with the wider Swinburne community encouraging connectivity, inclusivity and a profound sense of belonging.
The tree
The tree symbolises a holistic way of teaching and shared ways of being connected. It incorporates growth and an inclusive learning environment.
The journey pathway
The pathway across the painting represents the students' journey, their ways of walking together and respectful shared connections. The circles along the pathways promote active participation and engagement through empowering self-confidence, courage, resilience and strength along their pathways to success.
Contact the Moondani Toombadool Centre
If you have any questions about our programs and services, contact the Indigenous Student Services team at indigenousstudents@swinburne.edu.au.