Fast track to a successful career

Second and third year Griffith students, across all disciplines, now have the opportunity to fast track their career with a new course of applied study being offered in partnership with Deloitte Australia.

Innovation Practicum (5920GIH) is a 12 week program, in which multi-disciplinary teams of students develop a business concept as part of Deloitte’s globally recognised Innovation Fastrack Challenge (FASTRACK).

Deloitte Australia is one of the world’s largest professional services, delivering a broad range of accounting, consulting, tax and financial advisory services. They are also among our largest employers with 6000 staff Australia-wide.

An assigned Deloitte Australia staff member will mentor each team as they work through a structured process to deliver a new, viable business innovation. In addition, winning teams will further develop their presentation skills as they go on to compete against other universities across Australia. At stake will be recruitment opportunities and a cash prize of $10,000.

Innovation Practicum (5920GIH), which begins in semester 1 2012, is a 10 credit point course, available as a free-elective to students in most degree programs. To be eligible, however, students must have already completed a minimum of 80 credit points in a Griffith undergraduate program, and have achieved a minimum GPA of 5.0.

Course convenor, Dr Calvin Smith (pictured) said while students are not required to have any specific academic knowledge, they will need to be prepared for a challenge; to work independently and meet deadlines in a professional context.

“The successful completion of this course will deliver participating students far more than just 10 credit points towards their degree,” Dr Smith said.

“There will also be extraordinary career opportunities through the skills and knowledge gained, as well as the chance to present their project to senior DeLoitte partners,” he said.

Deloitte Brisbane Consulting Partner, Julian Dolby, said the program gives students a greater understanding of the theory of business innovation and could boost career opportunities in more ways than one.

“Through hands-on experience with Deloitte, students will build confidence and presentation skills and learn the power of networking,” Julian said.

“These skills are then applied in a real-world corporate framework and industry context,” he said.

“And while that will set you up for your career, no one should forget about the $10,000 in prize money.”

Students from any of Griffith’s five campuses are eligible to apply, however, they must be prepared to attend Deloitte’s Brisbane offices and meet with team-mates as required.

Applications close mid-February 2012 for Semester 1 2012.

More information about Innovation Practicum (5920GIH) can be found at

http://www.griffith.edu.au/gihe/resources-support/work-integrated-learning/deloitte-work-placement

Or you can contact Innovation Practicum staff at [email protected] or by phoning (07) 3735 1163.