Graduate Advantage Program

GAP is delivered in an intense one week format at the end of your summer break.

The program will take place at the industry partner's offices primarily located around the Sydney CBD and UNSW. Final times and locations of the GAP sessions will only be shared with successful students selected for GAP. To be eligible for the program, students must be available for the entire week from 9am – 5pm.

GAP workshops are designed and delivered by industry experts sharing their wealth of knowledge and held on their premises to give you a glimpse into the workplace normally not accessible for most students.

From recent graduates to Partners, GAP gives you access to network with all levels of the business.

GAP is a career and professional development opportunity not to be missed. Fully resourced by the UNSW Co-op Program and our industry partners, GAP is a free program for students.

Skills upgrade

Employers are looking for graduates that have the edge; good technical skills with the business aptitude to match. Our industry partners are interested in your professional development and aim to improve skills in communication, leadership, problem-solving, initiative, presentation, enterprise, organisation, and time and self-management. This program will help you get a step ahead of the competition.

Recognition

Upon successful completion, students will be awarded a certificate recognising the achievement. This is a great addition to a CV and will be highly regarded by industry partners. GAP will also be recorded on your supplementary transcripts as an extracurricular activity.

Networking

Learn the importance and power of networking. Networking does not only play an important part in your job search, but will follow you throughout your entire career. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking with peers and industry representatives from all levels – first year graduates, hiring managers through to Partners. By the end of the week, networking is truly a skill you will have improved on through plenty of practice.

Internships

All of GAP’s industry partners are offering internships over the summer break. GAP students are strongly encouraged to apply for these internships and can get relevant information on the recruitment process and requirements directly from the recruiters on the last day of the GAP program.

Sam Zhang, 2016

GAP is an extraordinary event that improves a student's self-development over the course of 5 days with skills of teamwork, communication, time management and problem solving. These skills are certainly needed in the workforce but every day of life and it is why GAP is the right place for you to improve your skills. But also it is the chance to understand the importance of networking amongst business professionals. It is truly a rewarding experience for the top 60 students and it would be an advantage for you in the end.

Shabana Aboo, 2016

Definitely apply! The program is a step inside in the commercial industry and an experience that you are unlikely to have anywhere else during your university studies. You will feel accomplished and so much more ready and confident to apply for internships and Grad positions after participating in this program.

Uday Soni, 2016

Participating in GAP was probably the most enriching extracurricular experience in university. Most of us have worked hard in trying to get good grades and getting involved in different aspects outside the academic curriculum. By attending GAP, you learn how to sell these experiences and present yourself in a professional manner which appeals to potential employers.

Kathy Quach, 2016

GAP is great no matter what stage you are at in developing your career. If you are definite the Big 4 or Westpac or Commbank is where you want to be and have clearly defined goals, then GAP helps you put your foot in the door as you can meet all the industry partners and let them get to know you. If you're a bit lost on your future or never had intentions of working at these sort of companies, GAP helps you figure out if this path is right for you by giving you an insight to what its all about.

Everyone can benefit from this program!

Places are limited to 60 students.

Our Industry Partners employ a range of students from a variety of disciplines and have expressed an interest in seeing a diverse student pool, so if you are not a Business student, but are interested in professional development and exploring a career in Business, then please don't hesitate and apply.

ACCESS students are also strongly encouraged to apply.

To be eligible you must be:

• Entering your penultimate year (second last year) of study in 2017.
• An undergraduate student.
• Undertaking a degree offered by either the UNSW Business School or the Faculties of Engineering, Science, Law or Arts and Social Sciences.
• A credit average or above student.
• Able to demonstrate a strong interest in securing an internship role with one or more of the GAP Industry Partner organisations.
• Able to demonstrate a strong interest to pursue a career in business.
• An Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident.
• Available to attend all scheduled dates and times (9am-5pm, 6-10th February 2017).

How students are selected

Students who meet the eligibility criteria are then selected based on the quality of answers in the application form. There are no interviews and all GAP participants are selected from their written application.

Who is not eligible

Even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, students currently on a cadetship, Co-op Scholarship or who have already secured a summer vacation placement/internship with the gap organisations for next summer are not eligible for this program. If you receive a GAP offer as well as a summer placement offer you must inform the GAP coordinator ASAP and decline your place in the program.

1. The first step is to submit this pre-qualifier survey to ensure you are eligible for the program.
2. If you are deemed eligible for the program, you will be given a link to proceed to the GAP application.
3. It's strongly recommended you preview the Application Questions (PDF version for preview only).
4. Draft, review and finalise your responses to the questions in Word first.

Additional criteria

In addition to your online application you will also need to add the following documents:

• Current resume (minimum one page, maximum two pages).
• Copy of your academic transcript (no need to order an official copy, just send a PDF of your transcript from myUNSW).

Application closing date

Applications close Wednesday, 30 November 2016 at 5pm. Students will be informed of their application outcome by 21 December 2016.