Are you a high school student dreaming of a successful career but worried about the cost of higher education? Scholarships, co-ops, and cadetships can be your gateway to achieving your goals without the financial burden.
What are Scholarships, Co-op’s and Cadetships?
Co-op programs, scholarships, and cadetships are all ways for students to receive financial support and gain valuable experience during their education, but they differ in their structure and requirements.
1. Scholarships
A scholarship is simply a monetary grant provided to a student to assist them with funding their university experience. Scholarships are generally granted upon assessing student criteria relating to; academic merit, financial need or specific talents. The amount of funding provided will differ by scholarship, with some only covering part of your university costs.
2. Co-ops
Co-op programs or Cooperative education programs, provide students with the opportunity to combine career development and further study at the same time. Generally, students undertaking co-op programs alternate between study and work (which is provided by the program). A co-op is superior to a regular scholarship. Not only are you paid to undertake a co-op, but it provides you wth other invaluable opportunities such as;
- Related industry work experience (paid)
- Leadership development
- networking opportunities
- High graduate employment rates (often by sponsor companies)
3. Cadetships and Internships
Cadetships or internships are structured training programs that combine formal education with practical work experience. Typically, cadetships involve part-time work alongside your university studies.
It’s important to understand that cadetships are typically not offered by universities themselves but by individual employers. This means you need to take the initiative and apply for advertised roles on your own. We’ll explore how to find a cadetship later in this article! Also, keep in mind that cadetships are often awarded to students in their later years of university. Don't let this discourage you—every opportunity not taken is an opportunity missed.
What are Selectors Looking for in Your Applications?
University employees who are tasked with the role of selecting suitable candidates come across hundreds if not thousands of applications every day. This means you have to make yourself stand out!
Academic Success
Academic success includes any subjects you have excelled in during your schooling: mainly in years 11 and 12. Additionally, academic achievements such as prizes, state rankings etc, can be included to help your application stand out!
Leadership Attributes
Universities often select students who have high leadership values and potential. This is because leaders are often seen to go out of their way and take initiative in completing tasks while working well in a team environment.
Leadership qualities can be drawn from anywhere, from junior manager roles at your part-time job to being captain of a club or sport at your school. Think about examples of where you have been a leader when completing your application. However, do not write anything too far-fetched or unbelievable. Selectors are smart, they will be able to see what is true and false!
Industry Related Experience and Passion
When you're applying for a scholarship or co-op, selectors carefully evaluate if you would be a suitable fit for the related industry. For example, for the UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op, a student who has studied subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology, can be seen to have interests in the science sector. As such, their chances of obtaining this co-op are decreased.
This does not mean your chances are zero. You can increase your chances of obtaining an opportunity like this by directly linking some of your industry experience with your passion.
For example, if you have studied the subjects listed above, however, you have some part-time industry experience working in various roles ranging from a digital media marketing agent to an accountant's assistant, you can display using your experience as evidence, why you would be suited for the co-op opportunity!
Extra-Curricular Activities and Community Service
Universities tend to love students who show they can handle a balance in their lives. This involves taking on extra-curricular activities such as sports and work, while still obtaining good marks. This is because, in roles such as co-ops, you will be required to work for a company while also studying! So, think of all your extra-curricular activities and ensure you explain why they have been a key aspect of your life.
Be Unique!
The ability to stand apart in a crowd is another important aspect that selectors look for.
Many candidates will be mentioning experiences such as being school captains or SRC representatives. So, think outside the box! Have you ever started your own business before? Have you created a viable product? Are you involved with any significant communities? All these types of questions are what selectors want to see. This means that you shouldn't be discouraged from mentioning experiences in your life that don’t seem to relate to university at all.
However, it is important to note, that you must link how these experiences make you a better candidate for the co-op or scholarship you are applying for. For example, if you are experimenting in digital marketing, you could talk about what skills and passions you have developed and why they relate to your application.
Ability to Coherently Communicate your Attributes
The final attribute selectors look for when reviewing your application is your ability to coherently explain to them why you are the best candidate for the opportunity. So take time when completing your application. This means you must ensure you have explained in detail all your attributes and more importantly why the boost your application for this role!
READ YOUR APPLICATION AND EDIT!
Don't forget to edit and read over your application. Selectors can tell when a piece of text is not well written, meaning you must take your time and really think about what you are writing.
They also hate to see simple grammatical and spelling mistakes. Ensure you have someone read over your application to see if you have missed any details that may be important. As well, you can also put your text through AI spell checkers such as Grammarly, to further refine your writing.
Available Scholarships
Now that you understand what selectors are looking for in your applications, let's explore some of the available scholarships offered by top universities in New South Wales.
Australian National University (ANU) Scholarships
The Australian National University offers different scholarships over varying degrees to assist, you the student in your tertiary studies. ANU makes it easy to find a scholarship suited for you with their internal search engine found in the link below. So, if you are a student willing to go to Canberra on a scholarship, apply for a scholarship at ANU now! ANU Scholarships
University of Sydney (USYD) Scholarships
The University of Sydney provides various scholarships for bachelors and honours courses providing monetary grants of different ranges. Sydney University is well regarded for its scholarships which branch into almost all courses in the university!
To find out more about the scholarships offered at USYD explore their website and apply using their provided steps: USYD Scholarships
Western Sydney University Scholarships
Western Sydney University, similar to USYD offers scholarships to students which range across various courses. They contribute 20 million dollars every year for scholarships, to students who excel academically, are in difficult financial positions and various others.
To find out more about the different scholarships you may be eligible for and their key dates, visit: Western Sydney University Scholarships
Macquarie University Scholarships
Macquarie University also offers a wide range of scholarships to domestic and international students. Students who fit into categories of women in STEM, academic excellence, elite athletes and more, are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
To find out more about the scholarships offered at Macquarie University and how to apply, have a look at their website: Macquarie Scholarships
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Scholarships
The University of Technology Sydney, like many of the other universities in NSW, offers various scholarships to students both domestic and international. UTS has made it easy to find and apply for a scholarship related to your course or field of study with a search engine found in the link below. So have a look and see if any of the scholarships offered at UTS interest you. UTS Scholarships
Available Co-ops
UTS Bachelor of Information Technology Co-op Program
If you are interested in studying Information Technology during your tertiary studies, the UTS Bachelor of Information Technology co-op may be the perfect position for you. This opportunity provides you with two six-month industry placements, allowing you to build your experience and skills while studying.
Additionally, throughout the course, you will receive a total scholarship of $49,500. You can find out more about this co-op on the UTS website, linked below. So, if you are interested in a career in programming or software development, use the steps listed earlier in the article, and start your application now at: UTS Bachelor of Information Technology Co-op
UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Program
UTS also offers another co-op program, specifically targeted toward business students. This is a co-op for the Bachelor of Accounting. If you want to pursue a vocational field in, marketing, accounting and investment banking, this co-op is for you.
Similar to the bachelor of Information Technology, students are to receive a payment of $40000-$50000, over the duration of the 3-year course. Additionally, work experience from a leading sponsor firm will be mandatory allowing you to hone your skills and experience, leading to higher chances at future employment.
If you are interested in this co-op visit the following link to apply: UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op
UNSW Co-op Program
UNSW does something different to all other NSW-based universities. They offer co-op scholarships for various different courses. All these courses are highly recommended by previous alumni as students get paid to study and work for various sponsor companies, which in turn increases chances of future employment.
To explore the various co-op programs offered by UNSW and learn about the application process, visit their website: UNSW Co-op Program
Macquarie University Actuary Co-op Program
Macquarie University currently provides a co-op program for those students wishing to participate in actuarial studies. This co-op is great for students wishing to gain significant industry experience, with almost a year and a half of real industry experience from one of the extensive sponsors.
Students who are selected for this co-op are paid approximately $22,000 per year for the duration of the 4-year course. If you are a student hoping to study actuary, this may be the co-op for you. Apply on the following link, using the listed steps on Macquarie's website: Macquarie University Co-op Program
Finding Cadetships and Internships
As we discussed before, cadetships and internships differ slightly from scholarships and co-ops. Cadetships and internships are not offered by university organisations, but rather by individual companies. As such, we can find cadetships and internships on many different platforms.
You can visit the job-finding services SEEK, Indeed or Linkedin. Type in keywords such as your (subject) … cadetship or your (subject) … internship.
These roles will normally have a job description. It is your job as the applicant to construct a resume and cover letter that makes you seem like the best candidate for the role. Check out our article about resume and cover letter writing to better improve your chances!
Another way to secure a cadetship or internship is by directly reaching out to industry-related companies through email or phone. This practice, known as cold calling or cold emailing, involves contacting potential employers without prior introduction to express your interest in working with them.
When cold calling or emailing, be sure to research the company beforehand and tailor your message to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for their work. Make sure you attach a cover letter and resume to this email. If you are willing to take it a step further and call a company, ask the HR representative for the contact details of the person in charge of hiring interns.
Generally, they will provide you with an email address you may send your cover letter and resume to. It is important when making these calls and writing these emails, to do it in a professional manner, talking with purpose and truly making it seem like you would be an asset to the company.
How to Improve Your Chances at Getting a Cadetship
Experience, experience, experience. Hiring managers love to see industry-related experience in a related field to the job/cadetship/internship you are applying for. So when applying for a cadetship think about what experience you can relate to the role, and how that makes you the perfect candidate.
Experience is essential, but what if you have none?
Various online virtual resources and courses are a great way to do this, especially if you are able to add the course you completed to your resume. Check out Forage. They offer free online courses to any related industry, making it a great resources to use to gain a conceptual understanding of the responsibilities of various roles.
Upon completing courses on Forage, they will provide you with a resume snippet to put on your resume, to help improve your chances of obtaining a role. Check out their website to find a course suitable for you. Forage Simulations
However, use this source at your own discretion. Some courses maybe be helpful and others may not be, it is all about trial and error to see which ones you learn the most from.
Another way to do this is to offer up your time for free. I know this may sound demotivating or a waste of time, however, companies love students who actively seek out an opportunity to enter their desired industry.
Find opportunities like this by actively seeking out industry leading firms through emails or phone numbers listed on their websites!