"Having a student with fresh insight and ideas has reinvigorated the team's enthusiasm."

Deakin students are taking advantage of an exciting new business internship, the Geelong Enterprise program, to gain invaluable knowledge, industry experience and credit towards their degree.

Offered in partnership with local council, business participation for the initial offering in Trimester 3, 2014 was sourced by Enterprise Geelong, with students given the opportunity to experience first-hand the demands of professional environments while gaining credit toward their degrees.

Professor Barry Cooper, Associate Dean (Industry Engagement and Partnerships) at the Deakin Business School, says the new program has been a great success so far.

'This year is particularly exciting as it is the first year that these students have done their business internships for an academic credit towards their degree. Furthermore, we are delighted to announce that the program through Enterprise Geelong will be running on an annual basis, from next Trimester, thanks to the success of this pilot.'

From an industry perspective, Jen Flakemore, Practice Manager at the Karuna-Maya Medicine Tree said that the program allowed her business to develop a professional and practical marketing plan for the next two years.

‘Having a student with fresh insight and ideas has reinvigorated the team's enthusiasm to be more involved in the marketing plan long-term and this has been a great outcome for us.'

In March, all seven Business and Law students were acknowledged, alongside the host businesses, for their participation in the program and Bachelor of Management student Jesse Heis, who worked with Karuna-Maya Medicine Tree reiterated how rewarding the opportunity was.

'I've had an amazing time on my internship. I was given real responsibilities which opened up great opportunities for me to learn and prove myself. The experience I've gained will definitely assist my future career.'

The Enterprise Geelong Tertiary Business Skills program is one of several opportunities available through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program; and we are delighted to announce that it will now be offered annually in Trimester 2.