What are the learning outcomes for the course?#
On completion of the internship, students will have:
- delivered a computing project to respond to an industry problem, which could be a proof of concept or business solution, and
- developed a range of professional skills, demonstrated initiative and adaptability, and grown communication and networking skills.
The course assessment is based on three components:
- planning and presentation of the project,
- feedback from the host supervisor,
- the student’s self-reflection and professional development.
What sort of projects are considered?#
The project outcomes should be of value to the organisation, relevant to computing, and can be in one of more of the following areas:
- research/scope/plan and/or implement/deliver a proof of concept, new capability, or enhancement, and
- other negotiated projects.
Suitable projects need to meet the following criteria:
- A clearly framed business problem and requirements statement, a project that is relevant to computing with some degree of complexity that requires problem solving skills;
- The project is standalone (that is, not on a critical path) and can reasonably be undertaken by an individual within approximately 180 hours of effort over an elapsed time of 12 weeks; and,
- The project can be undertaken offsite from the host organisation in the case of remote/hybrid placements.
Examples of successful projects include:
- Proof of concepts for chat bots, facial recognition and voice recognition
- New features for existing software products
- Data analytics and visualisation to inform improved compliance activities; and, provide insights into complex policy problems.
What does the host organisation need to provide?#
Before the Internship:
- A Project Brief detailing a project that is relevant to computing with some degree of complexity that is not on a critical path and can be undertaken within 180 hours of effort;
- An Internship Agreement (Host & ANU); and
- A completed Student Placement Risk Assessment form.
When the Internship commences:
- A signed ANU Student Internship Agreement;
- A supervisor to oversee the technical project work and provide on the job technical guidance and training, and access to business knowledge when needed;
- Capability, including processes and tools, to support a remote internship where the student will be “working from home” (if required). This may include and is not limited to:
- Webex, Zoom or any other suitable AV interaction, and
- Workstation hardware and other technology that is required for the project. For example,
- a powerful workstation will be needed for machine learning projects,
- a second monitor would be useful for software development projects,
- internet access to provide sufficient bandwidth.
- Feedback into student assessment processes, including feedback report at the end of the semester; and,
- Access to the student’s work for assessment processes.
How many intern projects can a host offer?#
Hosts can offer up to 6 intern projects. Subject to demand, the ANU’s preference is to place at least two students with a host organisation, provided they can be assigned to separate projects with independent outcomes.
What are the requirements for being a supervisor?#
Supervisors need to have an understanding of the organisation as well as relevant software technical skills (and access to other technical resources as required) to be able to support and guide the intern as the project evolves.
How much time is the student expected to work on the project?#
The students are available to work on a project (i.e., a defined piece (or pieces) of work) for 15 hours a week during a 12-week semester (not including the 2 weeks semester break).
The course requirements for the internship are 15 hours a week actually working on the project, with access to their supervisor. Students will also allocate 5 hours a week to lectures, tutorials, mentoring, and other academic activities.
What technological skills do the students have?#
Students in the Computing Internship Program will have a specialist interest and technical skills in one or more of the following areas:
- software development
- data science
- artificial intelligence, and
- machine learning.
How are students selected and matched to host companies?#
Internships are available to Masters of Computing, Masters of Machine Learning and Computer Vision, as well as penultimate and final year Computing undergraduate students. Students will have completed technical computing units, including software development as well as specialist courses such as data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Following an expression of interest for the internship placement, eligible student applications will be sent to host organisations.
Hosts will be invited to conduct an interview with students prior to commencement of the internship and to make offers of placement directly to students.
How is the student project assessed?#
The Internship is graded by the ANU. Students are assessed across:
- professional skills development, including communication, team-work, time management and project management; and,
- demonstration of technical skills, including designing technical solutions, programming, analysing and solving technical problems.
What feedback is expected from supervisors?#
Supervisors are required to submit a feedback report at the end of semester. Supervisors will receive an email from the ANU asking for feedback to be submitted online. Supervisors will be asked to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement on a range of topics, including:
- project outputs
- decision making
- communication
- teamwork, and
- reflection.
What professional support is available to students?#
Mentoring is provided to students to assist them to adapt to the host organisation culture they are working in and to successfully complete the project. The support is delivered through tutorials and direct one-to-one support from industry mentors.
What are the legal and payment requirements for the program?#
As the internship is part of the student’s academic course, it is possible to offer unpaid placements, consistent with relevant Fair Work advice [PDF]. Should a host organisation wish to provide payment, a non-ongoing/temporary employment contract will need to be negotiated between the host organisation and the student.*
The host organisation and their interns are required to complete a Student Placement Risk Assessment Form, and sign the ANU Student Project Industry Client Agreement which, among other things, deals with Intellectual Property (IP), confidentiality, insurance and obligations of all parties. These agreements will be forwarded to new host organisations as they engage in the Internship Program. Please note that for unpaid placements, ANU’s agreement must be used without alteration. For other circumstances, a paid placement should be offered.
*Note: Where a student is employed for the duration of their placement, a slightly different ANU Internship Agreement which clarifies the obligations of all parties in terms of access to Project IP for the purposes of academic assessment will be required in order to accurately reflect the student’s role within the organisation.
