Applying for an internship

To apply for an internship you need:

• a strong academic record
• an interest in the area of native title, social justice and Indigenous affairs
• strong cultural awareness and sensitivity
• good interpersonal and communication skills
• commitment to the minimum internship length.

Applications will be accepted for more than one stream. If you want to apply for more than one stream you will need to specify ‘anthropology’, ‘legal’ or ‘social science’ in your cover letter.

For legal applicants it may be possible to count your Aurora internship towards your PLT requirements. If you are considering this option you need to include this in your cover letter.

Apply now.

When can I apply?

Applications for anthropology, legal and other social science internships need to be submitted online via this website during the application period, either in March or August each year.

Applications for the winter 2012 round of internships will be open from 5 March through 30 March 2012.

How do I apply?

Before preparing your application you should refer to the specific requirements for:

• legal
• anthropology and
• social science internships.

How to prepare and submit an application

Applications will NOT be considered if you exceed the word limits.

Step 1

Prepare the required information in a SINGLE Microsoft Word file of not more than 200kb that includes:

i) A cover letter (addressed to Kim Barlin, Manager, Placements & Scholarships) highlighting:

• A strong academic record (max. 200 words)

• Demonstrated experience in and/or knowledge of Indigenous/multicultural affairs, social justice and other legal work and/or fieldwork (max.150 words)

• Demonstrated reliability and integrity (max.150 words)

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills (max. 100 words)

• Motivation and initiative (max. 100 words).

ii) A curriculum vitae

iii) A list of all university results set out in table form including name of subject, mark and grade received. Short-listed applicants will be required to email a scanned original or certified copy of their academic transcript as well as a passport-size photo to the Placements team.

Step 2

Save your Microsoft Word document using the following format:
surname.first name .university.legal.app.doc
For example: smith.jane.UNSW.legal.app.doc

If you want to apply for more than one stream you will need to specify ‘anthropology’, ‘legal’ or ‘social science’ in the saved document name.

Step 3

Complete the online application form.

Step 4

Attach the SINGLE Microsoft Word file to your online application form and submit your application prior to the closing date.

How the selection process works

• All applications are reviewed by the Placements team
• Applicants are short-listed for interview
• Interviews are conducted face-to-face Australia-wide (or by phone/Skype if necessary)
• Following the interview, successful applicants are short-listed as eligible to be proposed for an internship

Aurora relies completely on the demand from the various organisations and the number of placements varies for each round. For this reason it may not be possible to place all applicants that have made it through to this stage of the selection process.

Applicants who are eligible to be placed are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the options for internships.

In the event that you are proposed for an internship, we aim to inform you as early as possible. Sometimes internships are confirmed as late as a week or two before you are scheduled to commence.

Expectations of interns

Prior to departure, interns are briefed by telephone/Skype on expectations and appropriate protocol to observe while on an internship. The briefing will advise the following:

• To embrace the unique focus of the program – internships are much more about the host than about the intern
• To feel privileged to be given the opportunity
• To assist the over-worked and under-resourced host organisation
• To be flexible and open-minded about internship options (not all working in native title), the tasks to be undertaken and level of supervision
• To fit into your host organisation seamlessly and have a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude
• To be an ambassador of the program.

To fulfil your obligations while you are an Aurora intern, you need to:

• Comply with the Code of Ethics for interns
• Provide weekly written emails on the progress of the internship
• Complete an overview questionnaire at the completion of the internship
• Promote the program at your university – graduates are exempted
• Write and organise the publication of a promotional article about your experience
• Continue your internship to the agreed end date.

Support while on internship

The Placements team:

• correspond with you weekly
• are always available to discuss your concerns and offer support
• available by phone 24 hours/day for emergencies.

You will receive a handbook prior to the commencement of your internship. The Handbook for Interns contains useful information to support you while on your internship, and includes:

• confidentiality, privacy, legal ethics etc.
• host organisations and their role in native title and indigenous affairs
• an overview of native title
• cross-cultural awareness
• hints and tips for interns – organisational and geographic specific information
• insurance, emergency contacts etc.

A valuable supplement to The Handbook for Interns is the Hints and Tips for Aurora Interns by Location which includes detailed information from past interns about their experiences not just working within their specific host organisations, but also of the cities they have been placed in.