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We’re supporting more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to start and finish university – and we’ve been doing it for 15 years.
Just 67% of non-First Nations and 41% of First Nations Australians graduate from university within six years. Participation in CareerTrackers puts a rocket under students – 90% of our Alumni have graduated within six years.
And while 47% of First Nations Australian university students make it to graduation, 89% of CareerTrackers participants do.
By working in partnership with universities we are able to use practical work experience and the strength of the CareerTrackers community as a mechanism for our students to achieve excellence – at university, in their paid internships, and in their future careers.
Internships are completed during uni holidays to ensure they support study instead of getting in the way of it, and each intern is paid a competitive wage during their internship which helps ease financial difficulty – the most commonly cited reason for First Nations student attrition.
University
University study is prioritised in CareerTrackers. Our interns are students first, and we’re supporting them as they build on their education to become well-rounded graduate professionals. Success in the program is focused on University, Internship and Community.
We support our students to ensure they perform academically to the best of their ability. As well as attending regular meetings with Student Advisors who assist students to maintain their grades, students are expected to prioritise their studies.
89% of our participants graduate, compared to 47% of First Nations students.
Internship
12-week paid internships are completed in a single block in the summer semester break. Students are able to participate in meaningful projects and make a positive contribution at work.
Each student receives an evaluation at the end of the internship to further build his or her personal and professional capabilities. The CareerTrackers Program also incorporates many professional development and leadership training opportunities to support students to perform in their internship.
Community
CareerTrackers encourages all of our students to create local networks with other participants in the program. Senior students in the program are provided opportunities to give back and support the growth of new students with their organisation and university.
We have formed 10-year partnerships with 12 Australian universities.
We believe in a long-term vision that embeds CareerTrackers into First Nations Australia and into universities. We’re in our 15th year now – we’re not going anywhere, and the University partnerships were established to continue building trusting relationships with our students, their families, their universities and their communities.
The overarching principle of this initiative is to formalise the pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students into experiential learning opportunities, and to work closely with universities to achieve our mutual goal of improving the educational outcomes for First Nations students.
As 10-year partners, CareerTrackers and the universities have established a long-term strategy that enables us to work side-by-side in pursuit of our shared vision.
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Involve us in activities with students throughout the year so we can become a part of the First Nations community on campus.
Your university may already be running events that we can participate in to meet new students. Listed below are a couple of great ways that universities currently engage CareerTrackers on campus to get more students involved – because we all want to see those students graduate.
Invite CareerTrackers to your O Week and orientation activities for new students.
Our senior interns or alumni from your university can also come along and give a few words of encouragement. This ensures your students see someone doing exactly what they want to do: succeed in their degree and their chosen pathway.
Invite us to other events throughout the year. Examples may include First Nations student award evenings and student networking events.
Some First Nations Support Units host a weekly lunch as a way to connect students on campus. Having CareerTrackers along is a great way for our team to stay connected and meet new students.
If your university has representatives within faculties who work with First Nations students be sure to connect us.
Students who we meet from other parts of the university will also be included in our reporting to ensure all students are engaged and supported.
Faculties may also be able to introduce us to students who may not be active within the First Nations student community on campus.
Let your internal comms team know about student success stories, and help spread the word about CareerTrackers across faculties.
Registering for the program is easy – students can sign up on our website and universities can contact us to discuss partnerships.
Students who register themselves will hear from one of our advisors within 3 days.
University staff and students can refer students to CareerTrackers anytime. Simply send your local Advisor the details of the student who you wish to refer and we will reach out to them and kick-start the process.
