"Australian Internships provided the most suitable host organisation in line with my internship goals, which helped me to get into my career as Graduate Accountant. My training supervisor, Michaela provided good support whenever I needed it. They always ensure that you are learning and getting what you have expected from the internship program. The entire team (Debora, Josh, and Michaela) with whom I came across from enrolment to completion of the internship is just a fabulous team. Trust me, if you are ready to kick start your career, Australian Internships will give you the best pathway to start.

I will advise future interns to give 110% to the host organisation of what they can achieve and prove themselves to get good opportunities. My host organisation trusted in my capabilities and respected my proactive approach, and I have been offered a full-time contract position."

Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

There two many reasons: 

1. To challenge me. I never worked in an English environment, so that is quite challenging.

2. To meet more excellent people. One day the Singapore team came to the Brisbane office to visit us. There were so many big bosses on that day. Other colleagues were also very friendly and glad to help me with everything.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

Communication skills: I am also happy to call it English skills. I have to communicate with colleagues using English all the time. Doing that taught me many Aussie slangs and other oral English things. And for the fourth week and the fifth week, my manager told me she wanted me to introduce new interns. So at that time, I also learned to present new colleagues around.

Problem-solving skills: Sometimes, I may face some problems. Some are not serious, and we can solve them in my way. But sometimes, it might cause some consequences, so never be afraid to ask your colleagues.

I also learned about some licenses in Australia through calling candidates. And I have also become brave to reach others in English.

What benefits do you feel Australian Internships contributed to your internship?

Australian Internships helped me write an English CV, do a mock interview, and helped me to find companies that are suitable for me to do my internship.

 What advice would you give future interns regarding internships?

Never be afraid to ask questions! Be well prepared for interviews! Be brave, since everything is under control! Work hard!

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

A totally English environment, meeting many excellent people, everyone is friendly and happy to help! Getting to know my nice manager and acquiring challenging but wonderful work experience!

Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I chose to complete an internship because I know how difficult it is to get a job if you are starting from an entry level with no experience.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

Throughout my internship, I have learned so much, especially the professional skills I will not get from my study. Those skills include time management, problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, professional communication, and computer skills.

What benefits do you feel Australian Internships contributed to your internship?

Australian Internships team was so supportive even before my internship program started. They managed to help me find a host that matches my criteria. Imante even helped me with some additional interview tips as I was nervous about the upcoming interview. I was eventually chosen among many candidates for the internship. After completing the three months internship, I was recruited to work full-time as an Assistant Tax Accountant.

What benefits do you feel KOI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

KOI offered me a partial scholarship for the internship program. Sean as the Student Experience Manager also encouraged me to pursue this opportunity as an investment in my future career.

What advice would you give future interns regarding internships?

It is ok to sacrifice a little of your time and money for an internship because it will all be worth it. The experience and the opportunity that you will receive are far more valuable.

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I enjoyed how culturally diverse Australia is. Australia values morals, integrity, freedom, diversity, and work ethics, making it a very liveable place for overseas workers and students.

·  Why did you choose to complete an internship?

It allows me to improve my skills in my field and gives me opportunities that can be added in the long term. It can be a good experience for my career development.

·  What have you learned the most during your internship?

I have learned a lot of new software as well as skills like communication skills, computer skills, decision making and multitasking. Apart from that I learned how to ask questions and gain interpersonal skills and an understanding of business.

·  What benefits do you feel Australian Internships contributed to your internship?

Australian Internships was a pathway to get into my career, which I successfully achieved. Australian Internships provided me with an internship that allowed me to perform real tasks and gain practical experience that is needed in a real job and employment. Through this, we can translate our academic knowledge into practical skills.

·  What advice would you give future interns regarding internships?

My advice to future interns is that don’t ever be afraid to ask and always be ready to learn by being proactive. Always say "yes" to the opportunity you get and always be yourself.

·  What do you enjoy most about Australia?

The thing I enjoy about Australia is it is full of opportunities for all ages, a peaceful society, incredible cities, over the top festivals and above all great people.

Thank You, Australian Internships for everything I achieved through this journey of Internship. I got lucky when I got the opportunity to learn and explore through Australian Internships and my Host.

Hello, My name is Janice Lau, want to introduce and share my experience with the Australian Internships program with you all as I benefit a lot from it!

I graduated in 2017 major in Accounting and finance as an oversea student just like you and went back to my home country straightway. After I came back to Sydney, at the end of 2020, without any local accounting experience, I applied and went to so many interviews and trials for just entry-level positions A/p, A/R, and assistant accountant, also went to job agents like Hays, Richard Lolly. All I got from them was a thank you letting from the HRs.  Really disappointed and nearly gave up.

Until one day, I searched for an internship program, Australian Internship was one of my choices at that time. Most of them just told me, we can get whatever internship you wanted, hesitated from answering my questions. And some other internship providers told me, they were only interested in new fresh graduates. Only Debora from Australian Internship was so patiently answered my questions regarding the internship program they were offering honestly. So decided on my internship journey with Australian Internships.

After getting into the company, the Finance department manager provided me with detailed and structured training guidelines and daily task schedules. Also, I had weekly tasks review with Australian Internships Supervisor. Imante, my representative from Australian Internships, always being with me - from my very first step of interview tips, dress code -, provided me with so many valuable suggestions and guided me step by step on how to solve my problems and followed up after.

At the end of my internship, I got a job offer from the company where I did my internship - a big surprise!

Would love to use this opportunity again to thank you all from Australian Internships who supported and encouraged me throughout my Internship program. Especially as I have mentioned earlier, the two lovely ladies,  Imante and Debora!

Kindest Regards

Janice Lau

Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I am an international student from Nepal. I completed my Master of Professional Accounting from King’s Own Institute (KOI), Sydney. I was continuously searching for accounting jobs pre and post my master's degree. I only received rejection and I had thought that might be my rejection due to my less experience in the real business world. So I decided to join an internship program and excel in my knowledge and skills in the real business world. At the same time, KOI offered me an internship scholarship with Australian internships. I had an interview and followed some steps to join the internship program.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

The construction business was a completely new experience for me. The classroom study has accounts related to retail and manufacturing business. When I started my internship, I had no idea about how the transactions are entered and processed. I learned new software systems and the jobs in the account payable department, the use of adjustment notes and credit notes, communication skills, computer skills, decision-making, problem-solving, analysing issues and solving the problems and many more.

What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI has always given me everything I required. AI helped to find the platform to excel in my knowledge and skills. My AI internship supervisor Dr Imante Markeviciute was always there for me whenever I needed guidance and help. She helped me from the start of my internship program till the end of the internship. She was always a click away and always assisted and supported me. I would like to thank AI and Dr Imante for this wonderful opportunity.

What benefits do you feel KOI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

My two years study span in KOI was rewarding. I had met a bunch of people in KOI who will always have a huge impact on my life and career. The Internship Scholarship was offered to me after I completed my second trimester. Due to a covid outbreak and many external circumstances, I could not start my internship until the end of my study. KOI helped me to enrol in the internship program in the final trimester. I had to move to Hobart due to family circumstances. The most crucial moment was when my internship supervisor contacted me and told me that my scholarship is still open. I enrolled In the program as soon as possible. I would like to thank AI and KOI for believing in me.

What advice would you give future interns?

I realised that graduates must join internship programs to have real-world experiences. These experiences will help you decide how skilful and knowledgeable you are. The AI offers internship programs for most academic disciplines. They will offer you an internship based on your interest and educational qualification. I had my internship program that was virtual but it was significant that I could not explain it in a few words. This training program is the right investment after your graduation. This is the greatest opportunity to kick-start your career and enriches your qualities and skills. Believe in yourself, this is the first step to your dream career. Many more good things are ahead with good future opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I love people in Australia. They are loving, caring and always understanding. I had a great time studying in Australia. I enjoyed the beautiful scenarios of Australia. I like the sea and beaches as Nepal has no sea. The weather in Hobart is so cool and it makes me feel like I am in Nepal.

Why did you choose to complete an internship?

As a fresh Graduate, I lacked the experience and knowledge about the industry, the roles and the tasks performed at the workplace. I wanted an opportunity to learn and upskill my practical knowledge and ultimately get a job in my field of study. That's why I chose to complete an Internship with Australian Internships.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

I completed my Internship at Australian Business Tax and during this period I gained hands-on experience with using various accounting software. I was also able to expand my knowledge about the preparation of Individual Tax Returns and Business Activity Statements under the guidance of my mentor. I have also learned about teamwork, ethics and work culture.

What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship?

Australian Internships has guided me throughout my journey as an Intern. Right from the start, AI has provided me with various tips and tricks, information, advice and materials to prepare myself for the interview and the first day at the host organization. AI has been in contact with me during the Internship and made sure that my journey was pleasant. 

What advice would you give future interns regarding internships?

For future Interns, I would like to advise them to be patient, well prepared and well researched. An internship is the first step towards your career goal. During this time you will learn new things that you may not have learned in the classroom so, be active and keep note of the things you’ve learned, it will come in handy until you are ready to work on your own. 

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I have really enjoyed the lifestyle, mixed culture, varieties of food, friendly and helpful people and the weather in Brisbane, which is quite similar to that of Nepal.

Why did you choose to complete an internship?

After completing my MBA, I soon realized the importance of having hands-on knowledge in my career field. Unfortunately, in today’s job market, passing exams with high scores and getting a degree doesn’t offer the much-needed work experience, you will need to succeed in a workspace. Especially here in Australia, local experience is exigency which led me to complete my internship.

What have you learned the most during your internship?

Mainly, I was able to gain real-life exposure, grow my knowledge and determine if I was in the right career field. It was an excellent learning curve for a young graduate like me while meeting new people and making connections in the professional world.

What benefits do you feel AI contributed to internship and time in Australia?

Australian Internships played the role of liaison between me and the organisation which offered me an internship opportunity. Right from the beginning, Australian Internships was there to assist me with all the paperwork and documentation, prepared me for the position, and used their vast network of contacts to find the right internship for me which I may not be able to source by myself.

What advice would you give to future interns?

My advice to future interns would be to know where you are heading and where you want to be. If you are determined to excel in your career and want to have all the weapons you need in this competitive job market, I highly suggest you gain practical knowledge before you apply for your dream job. Any experience where you use skills that you can transfer to your future career is an excellent addition to your CV. And if you are unaware of where to start or don’t have any local connection like me, you can find a helping hand like Australian Internships to help you through your journey. 

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

People here in Australia are very friendly, helpful, and easy-going. You get to live in a multicultural society where people treat each other with dignity by showing respect no matter where you come from. It’s all about WIN-WIN mentality in here as people want to grow together. Plus, the beauty of the landscape, wildlife, beaches, and delicious foods, all make Australia one of the best countries in the world to live in.

Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I chose to complete an internship to get professional experience because as an international student I knew it is essential to have the local experience to build an accounting career. Through the internship, I can get experience in finance and accounting tasks which will help me to understand my future role and career. I got an opportunity to do an internship in one of the public investment companies in Australia.

 What have you learned the most during your internship?

I have learned many things in my internship. I have learned about the working culture of the company and other finance/accounting-related tasks and jobs. Moreover, I have learned how to communicate effectively and professionally in the workplace. The internship has provided me an opportunity to get familiar with invoice entry, account receivable and payable; data cleansing procedures, and other accounting and finance tasks.

 What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI has helped me a lot in securing the internship interviews and during the internship. AI has provided me tips for interview practice and how to learn about the host company for the interview. My internship supervisor - Imante has tried her best to organize as many internship interviews as possible.

 What benefits do you feel KOI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

First of all, KOI has granted me a scholarship for my internship. KOI has also conducted internship information seminars to provide more information about career development; and provide guidance to choose the correct career path.

 What advice would you give future interns?

If you are doing an internship during your study, you should manage time for study, work and internship. You should prepare well for the internship interview and be confident in the interview. During the internship, you should learn as much as you can as it will help you to get familiar with all kinds of tasks in the workplace. You should ask your supervisor for feedback so that you can improve yourself.

 What do you enjoy most about Australia?

Australia is rich in cultural diversity and harmonization. I like many things about Australia such as lifestyle, social security, natural beauty, education, and health care system. The climate in Australia is similar to Nepal so I do not feel I am living far from my home.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel safe here as the state and government are supporting all international students.

Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I was halfway through my Master of Professional Accounting course when I realised that I need to gather work experience in Australia to start working in my field. I undertook the internship opportunity offered by my university through Australian Internships with a mindset that I will acquire work experience and referral from the workplace and bingo: they offered me a position in their company to handle their accounts!

What have you learned the most during your internship?

Interns are not expected to work so much in the workplace as they are there to learn about the company and their related field works. However, I learned that if you go one step further than that by assisting your supervisor they appreciate it. I have also learned that practising good workplace etiquette is important. Although the task one does is not judged through etiquette but it really puts an impact on work colleagues. I followed these simple steps every day and today, I sit in the office as an employee and not an intern.

What benefits do you feel AI contributed to your internship and time in Australia?

AI helped me prepare for my internship in various ways. They helped me sort out what companies I can look forward to for interviews and also helped me make a video and resume for internship applications. AI sent me tips and tricks to learn beforehand starting an internship in a workplace that is very different from your home country's workplace. Imante, my internship supervisor, always made sure to keep me on track with any latest update on internship opportunities.

What advice would you give future interns?

If you are available to help out your work colleagues, ask if there is anything you can do for them. There may be times when they are learning from you which will increase your value in the company. If you do not understand some things, do not hesitate to ask. Doing so shows that you are eager to learn more and your supervisor will appreciate it.

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

I have always loved travelling and Australia has so much to offer in that aspect too. Even when there is state border closure due to Covid-19, I can still travel to so many places in Queensland with easy access to transport be it driving a car or taking a train to Sunshine Coast from Gold Coast.

See the glass half full or empty? The past 5 months have been really challenging for all of us due to the Covid-19. The experience of working at a bank during this crisis has been something unique. Getting involved in customers' exclusive requests, see how authorities supported the economy and how lessons from GFC applied to that crisis, has been very important for me. ANZ was the ideal organization to maximize the value of my aspirations. An exclusive mentor as well as the whole team I belonged to, helped me adapt very easily, showing professionalism, respect and continuous consultation.

Why did you decide to do your internship in Australia?

After graduating from QUT, I struggled to find a suitable job because I lack relevant experience in this field.  I was advised to join the Australian internship program by my friends. They shared their experience in AI with me, and they successfully secure satisfactory positions in Australian firms with the help of AI.

What made this experience unique and special?

This unforgettable experience provided me with a big picture of the operation of an accounting firm. Not only did I gain the experience on working with professionals, but I also gained a full understanding of the Australian firm’s culture and how different departments interconnect with each other. I am enjoying the work with my supervisor and colleague in the dynamic working environment.

How has this experience impacted your future?

This experience has given me opportunities to obtain professional guidelines in the field of accounting and be familiar with the Australian labor procedures. After my internship, my host organization offered me a job in its finance team. 

What was the highlight of your experience?

This experience allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge and accounting-related capability to the real word. During my internship, I built close working relationship with my colleagues and developed my teamwork and communication, time management, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

What advice you would offer someone considering interning abroad in Australia?

My number one advice is that you should always try to build an effective channel of communication with your supervisors. They need to know what you are working on and what you are capable of, while you also need to understand clearly what they expect from you. If you have doubts or concerns, please take it to your supervisor only after you did your best to resolve them.

Why did you decide to do your internship in Australia?

I completed my Master degree in Australia, so I want to gain practical experience in Australia by applying my academic knowledge. With this experience, I believe it is helpful to my career plan. Also, Australia provides pleasant working environment, securing employers’ rights and safety during the work. For example, we are required to obtain insurance policy in case of any risks occurring when we are working and educated to follow the codes of conduct. Moreover, individuals in workplace usually respect each other as Australia is a multicultural country, people should be treated fairly in the workplace.

What made this experience unique and special?

As an intern, I was given basic works, but I usually do further research or ask questions. Then I found I learnt more than what employers gave me. My host company gaves me significant support during the internship, allowing me to be more confident and feel comfortable to work with them.

How has this experience impacted your future?

This experience has given me several positive influences. Firstly, an active attitude is usually necessary when we are learning. If we show our motivation of learning to the employers, they will tend to teach us more. Secondly, ask questions if you are not sure how to do. Since we may do a job which is an important step in a procedure, we should take responsibility for avoiding any mistakes or unsure issues.  

What was the highlight of your experience?

Doing internship makes me more confident. Before doing the internship, I usually worried about if I can communicate with colleagues in Australian workplace as English is not my first language and I don’t have any professional working experience previously. After doing this, I found that I could interact with colleagues frequently and we usually helped each other during the work. The most important thing is to be confident in interview. When you confront an interview, you should promote all your advantages to the host companies so that they can see your personal value.

What advice you would offer someone considering interning abroad in Australia?

 When we do internship, don’t consider how big the host company is and choose the specific area you want, because we are in the learning stage and we don’t have sufficient professional experience, the most important thing is that we can gain valuable experience from the internship. Moreover, be confident in interview, you should show your confidence that you are better than other interviewees.

"I am doing my co-op (internship) in Melbourne, Australia for a German multinational logistics company. As an intern my main tasks involve in helping the forwarding, accounting and administrative departments. I have had the chance to gain valuable knowledge and industry experience in global logistics while experiencing a new culture.

It is also notable how inherently Aussie mate-ship is prevalent even in the workplace. With an Economics major I am sure that this experience will help me gain a deeper understanding about international trade and economics."

"There is always a difference between theory and practice. So, I wanted to get a practical experience in the field of Finance before starting a MSc in Banking and Finance. Furthermore, I wanted to have international working experience so I could advance my career. I wanted to see how the work is done in Australia and to explore a new continent where everybody speaks English.

I have learnt so many things during these amazing 6 month of my internship. This experience helped me to develop personally and professionally. Being intern under this program gave me the opportunity to work with very highly skilled professionals, to discover my strengths and to develop leadership skills. It gave me insight into how job should be done across different divisions within the bank and I worked on very important projects. 

The experience of living and working in Australia is priceless. If you have the opportunity never miss it. Be confident and accept the challenge. Be prepared this experience will make you to dream bigger and achieve even more."

"Being students we have our educational knowledge in common. What stands out to employers is those students who have also had work experience by the time they graduate. I feel the internship placed by AI, gives me the opportunity to specialize my skills in the Taxation field, which are generally required for my future career. In addition, I have had the chance of experiencing an Australia workplace culture and atmosphere."

"It is true that a University degree is not sufficient for employment now. I believe that the internship placed by AI was a good platform for me on which I could demonstrate and further develop my abilities and skills. 

The intern position is well suited to me because I really enjoy learning and working in this area. It is worth mentioning that the work environment of the Host Organization is very supportive and friendly. With the professional guidance of my mentor, I’m making progress day by day and becoming more confident in reaching my career goals."