Got a great idea to improve student life at Deakin? Get paid to make it a reality!
Is there something about life at Deakin that you think could be improved? Got a brilliant idea for a new addition to the student experience, or a way to enhance an existing program, facility or service? We want you on board the Students as Partners team leading your own project!
Working either individually or in a team, you’ll be paid to lead your own projects from conception to delivery. You’ll design, manage, solve and report on a topic or problem that makes life at Deakin better for all students, and produce a tangible ‘output’ that we can promote across the University.
Projects will kick off in mid-August and must be complete by the end of October this year. All undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
What kind of projects are you looking for?
You’re only limited by your imagination, but previous projects include:
- developing guides for students who are new to online learning
- hosting an event on improving mental health and wellbeing for regional/rural students
- producing a podcast series to help students manage their personal finances
- reporting on students’ perceptions and understanding of Deakin’s assessment policy, with recommendations on how to clarify language
- investigating and reporting on how to improve public transport access to the Burwood Campus.
We’re particularly interested in projects that help students from low socioeconomic, rural/regional and Indigenous backgrounds, as well as ideas for driving the post-COVID recovery.
Why should I get involved?
As well as making a real difference to your fellow students, you’ll:
- develop your project planning skills – in weekly online meetings with the SIP team, you’ll refine your application, workshop ideas, report on progress and deliver project outputs
- liaise with staff across Deakin – you’ll be matched with a Deakin academic or professional staff member to provide real-world and industry input
- gain experience working in higher education – you’ll be able to add this to your resume and use the skills and network gained to build professional experience.
You’ll be casually employed at a HEW3 rate ($37.17 per hour) for 50–80 hours.
But don’t just take our word for it! Jarrod Hurst, a third-year Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of International Relations student, led his own project last year and recommends it as a great experience:
My project was a study into transport connections to and from the Burwood Campus. It involved conducting focus groups and research into how students accessed campus, and understanding what improvements could be made to their experience.
From the report, as well as other Deakin advocacy, the Victorian Government invested significantly into upgrading the bus network to Deakin, with announcements made for improvements on a range of routes that I recommended as part of my project.
I was able to develop my skills in a work setting that complements what I was learning in my classes. I was very lucky in that my project opened up an opportunity to present at a conference for university staff from across Australia.
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable project and the program in general is exceptionally well run. Just take the chance and go for it. You won’t regret it.
How do I apply?
You just need to complete the online application form, which asks you to:
- describe your project and why it is needed at Deakin
- map a project timeline with major milestones
- describe your target audience and how your output can be promoted.
Applications close on Thursday 11 August, so hurry!
Where can I find out more?
For help with your application, we encourage you to attend one of the following Zoom drop-in sessions:
- Monday 1 August, 12pm
Join Zoom meeting - Tuesday 2 August, 4pm
Join Zoom meeting.
Still have questions? Just contact Sam Geddes at [email protected].