Internships

The Internship is based on a mutually agreed partnership between the student and an external organisation. The student agrees to carry out a research project on a topic/issue of direct interest to the external organisation. In return, the external organisation agrees to provide the support necessary for the project to be completed within a definite time-frame. Secondary supervision is also provided by an academic staff member from the School. There are restrictions placed on both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses. All additional costs incurred by students undertaking this course remain the responsibility of the student. Check the program pages for further details:

• Undergraduate Internship: POLS3801
• Postgraduate Internship: POLS7521
• Postgraduate Internship (Master of Governance and Public Policy): POLS7125

UNDERGRADUATES (POLS3801) PLEASE NOTE:

• choose another course as a 'plan B' should you not be accepted
• places are strictly limited
• do not seek out a placement yourself - the School organises this
• there will be no QLD Parliament internship program in Semester 2, 2024 due to the State elections being held later in the year

Students are required to submit their applications for the Internship via the Placement Management system available at my.UQ - https://placements.uq.edu.au/. A hard copy is also available for undergraduate applications and for postgraduate applications and can be emailed to polsis@uq.edu.au. 

POLS3801: 
Applications for Semester 1 close on 25 January. 
Applications for Semester 2 close on 25 June.

POLS7521/POLS7125.
Applications for Semester 1 close on 25 January. 
Applications for Semester 2 close on 25 June.
Applications for Summer Semester close on 15 October.

Unsure about applying? Here are some testemonials from previous students who have completed their internship experiences...

Robert Blows | Queensland Corrective Services 2024

My experiences with the POLS3801 internship program have been nothing but positive. The course placed me in the Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) Legislation Team where I produced a report evaluating the harm reduction strategies used by QCS to protect inmates. My responsibilities involved going into the QCS offices in the city once a week. Those in-office sessions were spent just focusing on my project and allowed me not only to work in a quiet and productive space, but also be fully embedded within the legislative team. During my placement I got to interact with legal, policy, and psychological officers and gained firsthand insight into how state government departments institute and adapt to change. Additionally, I have now moved into a paid position at QCS.

The course was the perfect opportunity to mix work experience and study. Now when applying to graduate positions I can demonstrate relevant work experience in applied research and report writing, and am able to provide valuable professional references to support my applications. Throughout the entire process I felt very supported and was placed under an experienced mentor at QCS who always had time to answer questions and provide valuable feedback. The course was a refreshing change from the usual lectures and tutorials, and felt like a big step towards a career following my studies. I cannot recommend POLS3801 enough!  

QiFeng Zhang | Senator Larissa Water's Office 2024

My internship at Senator Larissa Waters's office was a unique opportunity that allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of political research. I honed my skills in writing qualified political research reports, mastering the structure, content requirements, and effective data analysis and interpretation. This experience not only enhanced my writing ability but also deepened my appreciation for the rigour and professionalism of political research.

There are several highlights of this internship project. Firstly, we have a certain degree of freedom in selecting research topics. This opportunity for independent choice allows me to delve deeper into the field of my interest. 

Secondly, the internship allowed me to experience what political work looks like and to understand the daily operation of the Australian Greens.

In my future career, I believe I will fully utilise the experience gained from this internship. Firstly, my experience in writing research reports will give me a greater advantage in future academic research and career work. I have mastered how to systematically collect, analyse, and present data, which will be of great benefit to my future research work. Secondly, I can bring the knowledge learned from the Australian Greens back to my own country to promote the development of green politics in China. Finally, through this internship, I have gained a deeper understanding of the political attitude of Asian youth, which will provide valuable references for my future political research.

During my internship, I received careful guidance from my supervisor. They gave me a detailed introduction to the knowledge of the Australian Greens, including its history, philosophy, and current policy priorities. These pieces of information deepened my understanding of Australian politics. In addition, my supervisors also taught me how to contact other research institutions for assistance. This guidance has made me understand the importance of cross-institutional collaboration in political research and taught me how to establish and utilise these collaborative relationships effectively.

This internship was a very valuable experience, and I am very grateful to the University of Queensland for providing this opportunity. Internship increased my knowledge and skills, allowed me to meet many excellent colleagues and friends. This experience will be one of the most important parts of my university life, laying a solid foundation for my future development. Through this internship, I have become more determined to engage in political research and practice, and I look forward to more similar opportunities in the future to continuously improve myself.