2001 Swinburne Undergraduate and TAFE Course Guide

You will know…
why Swinburne?
You’re approaching a very important time in your life
and decisions must be made. There are many
courses to study at many different institutions. So
why should you choose Swinburne? What are the
benefits of studying here? What will set you apart
from students at other universities when you seek
employment? Here are a number of reasons why you
should seriously consider studying at Swinburne.
Industry Based Learning (IBL)
Industry Based Learning (IBL) is a cornerstone of
many of the academic programs at Swinburne. IBL is
a strategy of learning that involves the student
participating in a paid placement in industry before
the final year of their degree. Research at Swinburne
shows that, compared with other students, IBL
graduates:
• have a higher graduate starting salary;
• have a higher level of responsibility for their first
graduate job;
• secure a job faster than their non-IBL
counterparts;
• gain enhanced workplace skills; and
• often return to their IBL employer on completion
of their degree.
In a nutshell an IBL placement:
• is generally undertaken in the third year of a
degree course and runs for up to 48 weeks;
• provides you with paid employment;
• helps you develop skills in your chosen profession
through practical and real work experience;
• helps you develop your interpersonal skills and
increase your maturity and motivation;
• provides you with substantial industry-based
experience prior to graduation;
• assists you in understanding the complexity of
today’s work environment especially in such
matters as employer expectations, working to
deadlines, the role of technology, and the major
issues and priorities for modern organisations;
• provides you with contacts which will enhance
your networks for possible use in your studies and
later, in seeking employment.
What do students think?
“The opportunity to be, not only part of a successful
organisation, but also a productive team member is
invaluable. You are not treated like a trainee or
student, you are given responsibilities and expected
to do the job well. At the end of the day you leave the
office feeling ten feet high. You’re doing something
that you’ve studied for, and you’re doing it well.”
Adrian Mercuri, Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
student on IBL placement with Mercedes Benz
9