Welcome to Your Internship

Congratulations on your scholarship! This page is designed to introduce you to the expectations and support you will receive as part of the ACS Foundation Work Integrated Learning Program.

We understand that for many of you, this will be your first professional role. While this is an exciting step, it can also be daunting. To help ease the transition, we have created this Welcome Pack. Our aim is to facilitate a seamless integration into the professional workforce.

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About the Australian Computer Society Foundation:

The Australian Computer Society is the premier association for Australia's ICT professionals. The ACS Foundation, an initiative of the Australian Computer Society established in 2001, aims to promote technology education through sponsorships. The ACS Foundation collaborates with various organizations to offer scholarships, many of which incorporate a work placement component. The ACS Foundation remains your point of contact from the time you apply until the start of your scholarship.

ACS Student Membership:

As a recipient of an ACSF Scholarship, you are granted complimentary ACS Student Membership, which offers numerous opportunities to accelerate your technology career. Benefits include:

Networking with the largest community of ICT professionals and attending development events throughout the year.
Complimentary online training in Development courses and Professional Skills.
Subscriptions to digital magazines such as PC & Tech Authority, Atomics, and the ACS' premier publication, Information Age.
Access to the ACS job board, featuring the latest ICT job opportunities.

How ACS Foundation supports you:

Scholarship Payments: The ACS Foundation manages your scholarship payments. Payments are issued every other Wednesday evening, although they are not required until Friday. Please inform the ACS Foundation of any leave or sick days you take.
Join us on LinkedIn: Connect with us on LinkedIn. We share new scholarship opportunities and information beneficial to emerging technology professionals on our LinkedIn page. It's an excellent way to broaden your professional technology network online. If you're new to LinkedIn, we've developed a helpful presentation to guide you in creating your LinkedIn profile and expanding your network through connections.
Join us on Facebook: Stay informed with the latest technology news and job opportunities by liking our Facebook page.
Student Testimonials: Read and see how other students found their scholarship experience.
Refer a friend: We are always looking for more students just like you, refer a friend for other scholarships and you may be eligible for a $250 bonus if they are successful in their application.

Introduction to the Workplace

Starting a new job can be thrilling yet daunting; hence, we offer several tips to prepare for your new position.

Preparing for the Interview:

Research the company you're joining, understand their values and culture. Check if your contacts know someone there to get insights into the company. You might even request an introduction before your start date to have a familiar face on day one.
Plan your outfits for the first week to save time on laundry and ironing, ensuring you make a strong first impression. Opt for conservative business attire until you gauge the dress code.
Plan your commute, accounting for traffic, train disruptions, and if possible, do a trial run before your start date to familiarize yourself with the area.

Workplace Etiquette:

Your workday begins the moment you step out of your home, as you never know whom you might encounter. Be courteous, maintain eye contact, and introduce yourself. Don't hesitate to ask questions; it's better to seek help than to decline and appear impolite.
Communicate effectively, stay connected, and voice your ideas and inquiries. Observe how colleagues interact with each other and with supervisors, as some workplaces prefer formal communication, while others are more casual.
After finishing a task, report to your supervisor for immediate feedback and necessary adjustments. Regular updates show your eagerness to learn and progress.

Networking:

Seize every chance to network inside and outside the office. Meeting new people can lead to mentorships and keep you informed in your industry.
Engage with your colleagues, remember their names, and learn more about their roles and interests.

What to Expect on your First Day

Introduction to the organisation and team you will be working with.
Tour of the office, your workspace and facilities.
Review of position description and role expectations.
Discuss communication expectations, electronic or in person. Plan meetings if needed.
Review office policies and procedures - work schedule and hours.
Instructions for requesting leave - planned and sick days.
Meet with supervisor to develop learning objectives and determine job assignments.

First Day - Tips:

Be physically and mentally prepared: Get enough sleep and have a good breakfast to ensure you have enough energy to get through the day.
Get there on time: The best way to start your day is being on time, better yet, get there 15 minutes early. This gives you time to get the lay of the lands, settle in and it gives a good impression on your supervisor.
Be prepared to work: Do your research about the company and the field. Know what your job description is and what will be expected of you. Know who you should ask for on arrival and ask questions.
Dress Appropriately: Each office has their own work culture and dress code. On your first day it’s always best to dress in corporate attire, this is a safe option and being well presented shows you’re prepared. After your first day you can see what your colleagues wear and adjust appropriately.
Bring a notebook: Don’t be afraid to take notes so you remember all you can and have a single place where you can organise everything.

FAQs

Some things you may want to ask your supervisor about:

Access to the building or other rooms
Parking access or permits
Lunch protocol and other breaks
Dress code
Facilities such as kitchen and break areas
Workplace policies like social media use, visitors at work, sick leave procedure, who to call if running late
Where to place personal items
Bring Your Own Device policy
Who your team members are and their roles

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