Key Takeaways:
- Employment in STEM fields is increasing, specifically those requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher, driving higher demand for science graduates.
- Career readiness is currently the biggest gap noted by employers when it comes to hiring science graduates, including the ability to work independently, effective communication, time management, and stress management.
- Scientific internships are quickly becoming one of the most beneficial options for science graduates looking to work for experience, providing industry-specific skills and confidence.
- The capabilities valued most in a STEM Career Pathways report were the ability to contextually apply and develop knowledge, alongside critical thinking and problem-solving, which are skills employers are currently seeking in internship candidates.
Why is Practical Experience Becoming Just as Important as Academic Qualifications for Science Graduates?
Australia’s science graduate outlook is a mixed one. On the one hand, science graduates are in a high-leverage job market in which demand is high and supply is low, with rapid job growth far outpacing non-STEM sectors. Employment in STEM fields requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher is projected to grow by 24% by 2035, adding around 550,000 highly qualified professionals to the workforce.
The transition towards a net-zero economy is also driving significant investment for clean energy, which in turn has increased demand for environmental and climate scientists, data analysts, and materials experts. In short, science graduates in Australia are in a lower-competition hiring market in which transferable skills and the rapidly-growing employment in STEM fields create a favourable outlook.
On the other hand, critical skills and employability gaps are also prevalent. Research has indicated that industry representatives felt areas of career readiness weren’t being met by science graduates, including the ability to:
- Work independently
- Effectively communicate
- Manage time effectively
- Manage stress and flexibility
Further research has also pressed the importance of integrated curriculums for enabling skills, and purposeful assessments aligned to the packaged development of employability skills. In essence, science graduates need practical, hands-on experience rather than academic qualifications alone.
How Can Science Graduates Gain Industry Experience While Studying?
There are a number of ways that you can gain industry experience while studying as a science graduate:
- Take up university-embedded work-integrated learning (WIL): Nearly half a million students took part in industry-led projects, fieldwork, and practical simulations as part of their degree. Check whether your course has placements or practical work to take part in.
- Use your university’s industry partnerships: Many universities have dedicated science internship and placement schemes, which can help you to build your practical skillset and network in the industry.
- Look for internships that prioritise relevant employment: There are a variety of internships available for science graduates, but it’s important to focus on programmes that place you into relevant employment with opportunities such as supporting projects, peak workloads, and future hiring needs for potential employers to maximise your practical experience.
- Industry networking events: Conferences and webinars are an ideal place to meet professionals and gain insights into multiple sectors, and can open the door to potential opportunities.
What Are the Benefits of Scientific Internships?
Compared to part-time or unrelated work experience, scientific internships offer a variety of benefits for science graduates. Research has indicated that discipline-related work experience more clearly demonstrates training needs and person-job fit, making it a reliable signal to hiring managers and recruiters, compared to work perceived as unrelated to a student’s study area, which is consistently rated less attractive to prospective employers.
There are also discipline-specific competencies to consider. A lab-based or research internship builds technical, specific competencies that can’t be found in non-related roles, which leads to a more relevant skillset and better preparedness and confidence in roles later down the line.
In line with the general confidence offered by scientific internships, research into life sciences doctoral students found that internship experience contributed to more confident career decision-making, helping students test and validate career direction before graduating.
In short, scientific internships are the best way to get industry-specific skills, confidence, and a better person-job fit in the future.
Which Technical and Transferable Skills are Employers Looking for in Internship Candidates?
The capabilities valued most in a STEM Career Pathways report were the ability to contextually apply and develop knowledge, alongside critical thinking and problem-solving, all of which closely align with STEM training itself. The same report found a critical gap, however, between how STEM graduates demonstrate their skills and how employees identify them.
So, which technical and transferable skills should you highlight for a science internship?
- Core discipline knowledge: Lab techniques, data analysis, research methods, or regulatory and quality standards, depending on the sector, are all essential areas to not only know but be able to apply and translate into workplace contexts (with internships helping to close this gap).
- Transferable skills: Being able to manage, analyse, and interpret complex biological data, for example, is a skillset that could open doors in biotech, pharma, and medical devices, and proficiency in programming languages is another skillset that is highly sought after across disciplines.
- Work-integrated learning: The same report emphasises that work-based and work-integrated learning practices are critical for developing employability skills, applying technical knowledge in context, and preparation for the workforce.
- Soft skills: Don’t discount soft skills, as many employers are seeking science internship candidates with organisational skills, self-confidence, adaptability, and strong communication alongside technical competence.
How Can Science Students Strengthen Their CVs and Improve Their Chances of Securing Placements?
Securing science internships is often reliant on having a strong CV, but how can students improve their CV specifically for placements, and which elements should be highlighted?
We asked the Evolve team for their top tips.
- Include any volunteer work, as it’s all relevant experience with skills that can be transferable.
- Include any university projects that were substantial or relevant, specifically to demonstrate teamwork and problem-solving.
- Keep AI use to a minimum, instead focusing on balancing a personal element of your achievements with professionalism.
- Talk about what you’re passionate about and interested in, it’s not just about your qualifications/skillset!
- Remember that everything is transferable when it comes to skills; don’t discount basic experience and soft skills.
How to Gain Practical Experience Whilst Studying Science: Evolve’s Evolution Programme
When you want to kickstart your career in science as an undergraduate student, it can be difficult to know where to focus your efforts when there are multiple options available.
The Evolve Evolution Programme is for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year current science undergraduate students, designed to connect students with leading employers across Australia into industry-relevant roles while they complete their studies.
What can students considering the Evolve Evolution Programme expect?
- Paid employment opportunities during university breaks
- Potential to continue working casually during the semester
- To gain valuable industry experience before graduation
- A professional network and industry connections to build
- Full on-the-job training provided
These opportunities are available across pharmaceutical, food & beverage, environmental, chemical, cosmetic, medical device, and biotechnology.
Full details are available in our blog “What is our ‘Evolution’ Science Internship Programme?", including the disciplines clients regularly seek from candidates (though students from all scientific disciplines are welcome).
Start Your Work for Experience with Evolve’s Evolution Programme Today
We’ve partnered with Australia’s leading universities to place outstanding science students just like you into industry-relevant roles while they complete their studies. Students just like Larissa, a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics student:
“Through Evolution, I have gained valuable industry experience, as well as ongoing guidance and support. As a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics student, the programme gave me insight into the food industry, helped me develop practical skills, and increased my confidence. It also opened my eyes to the many career opportunities available within nutrition and food. I am grateful for the opportunity and would encourage other students to get involved.”
If you’re ready to explore the opportunities in your field alongside your studies, apply for the Evolution Programme today to start your journey.
