For Sienna, industry placements were more than an opportunity to gain work experience.
Through both the Local Industry Placement Program and the International Industry Placement Program in New York, she explored different career pathways, worked on meaningful projects, and built lasting professional and personal connections.
She shares how these experiences helped clarify her career goals, strengthen her confidence, and prepare her for life after university.
What attracted you to these placement opportunities?
The opportunity to gain work experience while still studying. Particularly, the opportunity to provide me with clarity on the type of career I want to pursue after graduating. For the USA IPP I was interested in the opportunity to live and work overseas, especially in New York City, which is incredibly rare during university.
For the Local IPP, I was excited by the opportunity to gain experience with leading firms and learn more about the industry. I was particularly interested in meeting professionals in the field, and gain insights into different career paths and experiences to help shape my own career post university.
Both programs provided me with the chance to meet like-minded students who share similar interests and ambitions. The friendships and connections I made were just as valuable as the professional experience.
What surprised you most about working with your host organisation?
The level of trust and responsibility they gave their interns. Whether I was working as a Marketing Intern at a boutique private credit firm in New York City, or as a Finance Intern at Macquarie, I was given meaningful work that allowed me to make impactful contributions to the team.
I was surprised by how invested both organisations were in the development of their interns. Throughout each program I received invaluable mentorship from my managers who were passionate about seeing me succeed. Their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences made the placements both rewarding and incredibly valuable for my professional growth.
What would you say to a student who is unsure whether they should apply for these programs?
If you are unsure whether to apply, I encourage you to go for it! Both the Local and USA IPP programs provide invaluable real-world experience and give you the opportunity to explore career pathways that you are considering pursuing post university. They are a great way to step outside your comfort zone and apply what you have learned in university to a corporate environment.
For those considering the USA IPP, I also had hesitations about working and living in a foreign city. However, looking back it was one of the best experiences I have had. I finished the program with greater confidence in myself, a better understanding of my career goals, and so many amazing new friends.
Learn more about the our real-world experience opportunities.
If you're a current student and would like to learn more or apply, visit the current students Industry Placement Program page.