Selection Process

How is the competitive selection process for Design WIL internships conducted?

Each WIL placement round (Winter+Semester 2; Summer+Semester 1) will present different combinations of opportunities and demand, depending on the available host agencies responding to each round's call, and the number of students applying as part of this elective unit.

As a result, MADA Design conducts a competitive selection process to allocate the most suitable candidates for each advertised opportunity. This article will provide an overview of this process.

Note: Self-sourced placements are not part of this competitive selection category.

Here are the 3 stages of our selection process:

1. Student submits their Expression of Interest (EOI) with top 5 preferences

The process starts when a student submits their EOI to the calls that we put out. This happens twice a year, and we broadcast these EOIs via the Building G digital displays, the Resources for Thriving student newsletter, and on Instagram.

2. Student eligibility, folio & skill sets are reviewed

The initial eligibility check is an administrative process: our MADA Student Services Team will review your study path to confirm that the student is able to enrol for the ADA3406/5406 unit, in the round they have applied for.

Next up is the application review. The cover letter, resume and folio (submitted as a PDF pack on the EOI form) are reviewed by the Design WIL Coordinator. The application is awarded a nominal grade, based on the following criteria. This grade is not shared with the student:

Communication and written presentation as seen through the cover letter, resume (content+design), and consistency of the design folio;
Overall finishing quality of the folio, including any digital links & resources
Relevance of the work in relation to the areas of interest mentioned in the cover letter
This relevance is assessed against the core advertised skill sets submitted in the EOI form.

While a high-quality folio from any design discipline will always be impressive, we want students to present a relevant selection of work to suit the advertised position.

For example, if a student submitted their core skill sets as "graphic design, branding & identity, and motion", their folio will be assessed through the lens of communication design, and in particular, the focus areas highlighted.

This folio grade, in consultation with your WAM, is used to rank and shortlist suitable students for each opportunity.

3. Selection begins

For each opportunity listing, we start by matching applicants that have nominated that opportunity in their top two preferences.

This pool of candidates is narrowed down through the folio, skill set and WAM assessment ranking, and only suitable candidates will be shortlisted for the host to review.

WAM is used only as a comparative assessment. For example, if two students applying for the same position have a HD-quality folio, we will take a look at their WAM to help decide which candidate makes it to the first-round shortlist. The WAM may also have an impact on the possibility of a scholarship award.

The host is provided a 2-week timeframe to review their shortlist. To keep the selection process moving, hosts who do not respond within the timeframe will be de-prioritised, and the candidates rotated to subsequent opportunities.

Candidates will be notified as soon as the host confirms their selection. Unsuccessful candidates will have their subsequent preferences (3rd to 5th choices) evaluated for the second, and if necessary, third round of selections.

In the case where there is no selection or interview required from the host, the review will be conducted by the Design WIL Coordinator, and confirmed with the host.

Candidates who do not make the cut as a result of their relatively poorer ranking in their folio assessment will be notified once all opportunities have been confirmed.

Candidates who were turned down by a host or the Design WIL Coordinator (for a variety of reasons) will rejoin the smaller selection pool and have their 3rd-5th preferences considered. This unfortunately often means diminishing opportunities as other opportunities get taken up.

Scholarship award components will commence only after the successful completion of the agreement signing process.

The above outlines the 'ideal' scenario of our selection process.

While we endeavour to provide all students the opportunity for their applications to be reviewed, we are limited by the amount of time we have per round for these reviews to take place. There may also be unforeseen circumstances where the host might withdraw the offer. While we will try to find an alternative option, we encourage unsuccessful candidates to apply again in the next round, or to seek a self-sourced placement opportunity (subject to approval – please refer to this article for details).

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