The University of Sydney and University of Queensland have tied for first place in the Financial Review Higher Education Awards this year for the Employability category.
The University of Sydney’s employability program for international students has been recognised in the Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards.
The Job Smart program tied for the top spot in the Employability category at the awards ceremony held in Sydney on August 19. The initiative topped the same category in 2019.
Developed and delivered by the University’s Business School, Job Smart helps enhance international students’ employment prospects through practical experiences, industry connections and volunteering opportunities.
University of Sydney Business School Dean, Professor Leisa Sargent, said she was delighted to again see the program recognised for delivering genuine benefits to students and the community.
“This national recognition reflects the ongoing dedication of the Job Smart team, whose commitment to providing innovative, practical support and meaningful work-related experiences continues to benefit our students in important ways,” she said. “This program is foundational to our work in designing and delivering holistic, transformational educational experiences in order to develop responsible leaders and support their lifelong learning.”
Students from up to 40 countries have taken part in Job Smart, which has recorded a 37 per cent increase in students taking up volunteering opportunities since 2023.
Job Smart participant Hsin-Yu Su, who graduated with a Master of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, said she enjoyed taking on the role of a course marshal team leader at the Sydney Marathon.
“It is a great experience to be part of such a huge and important event in Sydney,” Hsin-Yu said.
“Although this is my first time volunteering and participating in the Sydney Marathon, they offered me the chance to be a team leader, which taught me to interact with crowds, communicate with people in different roles and make quick decisions.”
Job Smart equips students with the skills they need to gain employment by emphasising practical competencies, and providing career coaching, volunteering opportunities, industry experience, and networking opportunities with university alumni and corporate partners.
Participating students work on consulting projects with small-to-medium-sized businesses in Australia, gaining exposure to local workplaces while developing employability skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork and problem solving.
The program is delivered across two phases: Job Smart Edge, which involves working on an industry project, and Job Smart Ultra, an interactive recruitment bootcamp in which students practice the entire process from cover letters to interviews and compete for work experience placements.
Job Smart is available to international students enrolled in the Business School. International students face specific challenges in the job market, including different expectations between employers in Australia and their home country, where most international students return to seek employment after graduating.
