Stories

Law students from Macquarie University gains practical experience working via Skype with an International partner in the Philippines, Bahay Tuluyan. Macquarie's Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) units take students out of the lecture theatre and place them in the heart of their chosen degrees.

International students Wenxin Zheng and Xueling Chen experience day-to-day life putting a magazine together in their PACE activity at Universal Magazines.

PACE Partner Cancer Council NSW works with Macquarie University PACE students from a diverse range of disciplines including health, sociology, marketing and IT. Macquarie's Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) units take students out of the lecture theatre and place them in the heart of their chosen degrees.

Rebekah (Aurora Native Title Internship Program):

"This internship has opened up doors for me and has given me insights into the public sector. It has also given me skills, which can't be learnt from textbooks.

From a personal point of view, my internship also encouraged me to reflect on my preconceptions. I developed greater sensitivity towards the needs of disadvantaged individuals and am a better-informed citizen as a result.

This experience has also increased my employability. I have also received academic credit for my internship. This means the practical life skills I have learnt at the Commission are as equally valuable as other subjects. Weekly feedback sessions with my supervisor were also very beneficial for increasing my skills".

Chi Lo (National Acoustic Laboratories):

"Being able to put all the theory, and all the skills from my studies into a project with real world outcomes and implications infused and enhanced my university experience with a sense of purpose and drive.

The participation gave me a collaborative research experience that confirmed my future career path. The opportunity to publish a peer-reviewed article will also be incredibly beneficial for future postgraduate and PhD undertakings".

Brianna (The Nature Conservation Council's Environmental Liasion Office): 

"I gained a greater understanding of how Environmental Organizations function, and the conversation surrounding such political topics. Additionally I now understand the characteristics needed of a person in this field, for one it is not all about your academics but more so diligence and sacrifice. It allowed me to think not just as a student but as an active member in the community, and gave me the opportunity to think about how my skills and my degree could be used now and once I have graduated. Additionally it gave me the tools to assist in developing my graduate and professional capabilities".

Sharara (The Salvation Army Study Shed Internship):

"Doing my internship at the Salvation Army's Study Shed program was an invaluable experience. Practically undertaking social research teaches you that the process is not always as clear-cut as textbooks make it out to be. Things do not always pan out how you anticipate they will and you need to be able to make-do or improvise. Informal skills such as people skills and establishing rapport are also absolutely vital when conducting qualitative research".

Sandra (Public Interest Advocacy Centre, PIAC):

"This is certainly a subject worth doing if you want to see the bigger picture; if you want to see how the law really affects people and how lawyers can bring about change for the better. We learnt so many practical skills that every lawyer should have."