Narrm Scholars prepare for career success
The University of Melbourne's flagship Narrm Scholarship and Enrichment Program saw Scholars focus their attention on their future today at a dedicated ‘Get Ready to Work’ event on the Parkville Campus.
A key feature of the Narrm Scholarship Enrichment Program led by the Students@Work team in Careers and Employability with support from the Student Connection and Belonging teams in Student and Scholarly Services, the career readiness event featured a welcome message from the Federal Minister for Education, the Honourable Jason Clare, alongside a panel of distinguished alumni from leading organisations including Medibank, Amazon, Bupa, Swisse Wellness, and Quinn Allan.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Gregor Kennedy welcomed the Narrm Scholars, joined by second-year Narrm Scholar Jagdeep Sandhu, who is currently undertaking an internship with the University's Global Learning team. This internship is just one example of the opportunities provided through the University's Students@Work program, which has been recognised in the Australian Association of Graduate Employers' Top 20 Intern Programs List for three consecutive years since 2023.
The Narrm Scholars, recipients of the University's prestigious flagship scholarship program, represent a diverse cohort of exceptional students. The scholarship program, which currently supports 1,547 scholars, is a cornerstone of the University's commitment to equity, belonging, and student success. This program offers a holistic support system, including a dedicated common room in the Giblin Eunson Library. Scholars also receive tailored academic support, offering individual support services and writing advice sessions.
Professor Kennedy highlighted the program's impact: "Our Narrm Scholarship and Enrichment Program brings to life our priority to welcome talented students from all backgrounds and set them up for exciting, meaningful and diverse careers."
The 'Get Ready to Work' event featured speed interviews with hiring managers, providing scholars with fast-track opportunities for on-campus roles, along with an expo where scholars could learn about various university teams and future work opportunities. A LinkedIn photo booth was available, helping students polish their professional online presence. These enrichment activities foster students’ belonging and success at university while providing opportunities to build career readiness, from networking to placements and internships on campus. Through the program, 153 Narrm Scholars have gained casual employment or internships on campus.
Professor Kennedy emphasised the program's comprehensive approach: "Beyond today's event, our Narrm Scholars benefit from a year-round enrichment program. This includes a pre-orientation camp, pre-prepared Welcome Packs, social events, industry insights programs, and global learning opportunities.
“We're particularly proud of our Industry Insights Program, which has seen 85 scholars visit 10 leading organisations across various industries.
“It’s so rewarding to see the enthusiasm and dedication of our teams behind these activities, including Narrm Scholars and other Students@Work.”
The University of Melbourne remains committed to expanding opportunities for all students and ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern workplace. The Narrm Scholars program continues to be at the forefront of this mission, setting a new standard for inclusive and comprehensive higher education support.