Work-integrated learning (WIL) at Massey
Massey University has a strong history of providing work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students across all of its colleges. Massey's WIL opportunities have developed organically through the decades. Each subject area has its own best practices to meet the needs of host organisations and the wider community, while optimising learning outcomes for students.
WIL experiences for students
The COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on the timing of some WIL opportunities.
Work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences enable students to put the theory they're learning into practice. WIL is related to, but not the same as, the fields of experiential learning, work-based learning, and vocational education and training. Students who undertake WIL practices will engage in authentic and meaningful discipline-related tasks and critical reflection.
Many programmes at Massey offer a range of WIL opportunities, such as:
- work placements and internships
- clinical or field placements and practicums
- service learning and cooperative education (co-op)
- work-related projects and competitions
- entrepreneurship and student-led enterprise.
Massey has many services and facilities, some of which are available to the public, where our students undertake work-integrated learning experiences.
Companion Animal Clinic
Top-quality veterinary care for all types of small pets. Open to the public, we are the first choice veterinary clinic for local pets. You can also ask your veterinarian for a referral to us for difficult cases. For emergencies contact the Pet Emergency Centre.
Vascular Rehabilitation Clinic
If you have been diagnosed with a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), we can help. Clients just like you attend our structured weekly exercise sessions prescribed by our experienced sport and exercise scientists, carried out under our expert supervision.
All sessions take place on Massey University Wellington campus.
Massey psychology clinics
Massey University’s psychology clinics offer psychology services to the general public. We also do research, train psychology students, and offer services for practising psychology professionals. We have clinics on each campus:
Trading Room
The Massey University Trading Room is unique in New Zealand - the only fully-functional trading room to aid student learning. It contains Bloomberg financial terminals, a live stock price ticker and information and news screens and gives Massey's finance students real-life fund management experience.
Speech Language Therapy Clinic
Our clinic at Massey University’s Auckland campus provides services for communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Student clinicians assess and treat clients under the supervision of highly qualified and experienced clinical staff.
Flight systems and airstrip
The Massey University airstrip is located next to Palmerston North airport adjacent to the Massey University Aviation Centre. During their training Bachelor of Aviation students work alongside a busy commercial airfield with full Air Traffic Control services. Aviation Management students’ classes are also mostly taught here so they experience flight operations and airport operations at close hand. MUAC houses the latest Diamond Aircraft fleet, and flight simulators. A roomy state-of-the-art hangar on-site houses the School’s maintenance facility.
Farm Services Clinic
Massey University’s Farm Services Clinic provides on-farm treatment for all farm animals as well as in-clinic consultations as required. We have a large animal hospital in Palmerston North providing ongoing care as well as advanced diagnostic imaging, intensive care and surgery for our patients.
Equine Veterinary Clinic
Our highly skilled equine team offers a broad range of medical and surgical expertise. You can bring your horse in by appointment or ask your vet to refer your horse to us in difficult cases.
Meet our students
During my study I had the opportunity to work as a property valuation assistant in 2017/2018 for CBRE, and also did a summer internship at Xigo (a specialist client-side construction project management company). I am now working full time at Xigo as an Assistant Project Manager.
Sarah Moore
Bachelor of Business (Property)
The internship helped improve my knowledge of front line / airline operations and also helped me make valuable contacts within the wider aviation industry.
Sam Rawlings
Tasman Cargo Airlines
Bachelor of Aviation Management
The internship opportunity made my transition from university to the industry seamless. I came to Massey University, BAvMan programme hoping to start a career in aviation after three years – I am already in the industry having commenced my career even before the three years was up!”
Sadie Kim
Tasman Cargo
Bachelor of Aviation Management
After graduating, I completed a 3-month internship at a Public Relations agency in Mumbai through the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Here I got to promote New Zealand tourism and education to an Indian audience. I would not have had the chance to intern in India or work where I am now without my excellent study experience at Massey.
Nick Davies
Bachelor of Communication (Marketing Communication and Public Relations)
I went into an internship uptake at Air New Zealand in Auckland. I was a Data Science Digital Intern for an 11-week intensive. My plan was to keep studying, but that changed when I was offered a full-time job at Air NZ as a Data Specialist.
Marcus Koolaard
Air New Zealand Data Science Digital Intern
Bachelor of Science (Statistics)(Computer Science
This internship allowed me to escape the classroom and work for an agency while I studied. Having interned as part of my degree helped me stand out from other graduates in a competitive job market after university.
Kate Harridge
Blacksheepdesign
Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)
My greatest experience was the business full year internship. Completing the hours there was an invaluable experience as I gained great feedback and developed skills learnt throughout my degree from my mentor. I actually ended up beginning part-time there as a Marketing Coordinator when my internship ended!
Jasmine Henshall
Bachelor of Communication (Marketing Communication), minor in Media Studies
Interning was an incredible experience and opportunity for me as a communication student. It was a great taste of the small-team, start-up environment where rules are less and creativity is more.
Isaac Winsley
Inspiring Stories Trust
Bachelor of Communication
The internship provided hands-on experience and valuable insight on working at the border. This allowed me to develop essential skills, such as communication, risk assessment and dealing with diversity. A key highlight for me was observing communication techniques employed by Quarantine Officers when delivering biosecurity knowledge to passengers of various cultures.
Anna Liu
Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) - Anna rotated through various MPI departments including border security.
Bachelor of Aviation Management
I have met some incredible people, learnt so much and made some great contacts for the future. I’ve learned some cool new things including how to communicate with lots of different people and how to take advice and criticism well. I have also learnt to take the initiative and be able to be open to try new things.
Alice Guerin
UNICEF
Bachelor of Communication
Hear more about our students' work-integrated learning experiences by watching these intern interviews.
- Introductions, choosing somewhere to intern (2:53)
- What do you do in an internship? (2:58)
- Social media at work (3:05)
- Theory into practice at work (6:35)
- Workplace learning: how did it challenge you? (5:04)
- How did the internship reward you? (2:54)
- Advice for someone thinking about an internship (3:41)
- What did you get from your internship? (3:36)
- Connecting with people in industry (2:43)
- Should you do an internship? (1:26)
Partnerships
Work-integrated learning (WIL) requires a three way partnership between the student, the host organisation and the University. Massey partners with small and large organisations in New Zealand and all over the world. Our students have had WIL experience at Toyota, New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Defence Force and the Heart Foundation to name a few.
For employers, WIL means gaining the latest knowledge, research, new ideas, technology innovations, and skills for their workforce. Massey aims to make rapid and practical responses to support new and emerging industry needs.
Enquire about hosting students
Contact us to enquire about hosting students at your organisation. The COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on the timing of some WIL opportunities.
Research expertise
Massey's work-integrated learning research expertise are in the fields of sport and exercise and social work.
Sport and exercise practicum
Sport and exercise practicums provide students with multi-disciplinary work-integrated learning experiences in the areas of sport management, sport development, physical education and exercise prescription. Our research explores how to make the most of these experiences from the perspectives of students, industry clients, and work and academic supervisors.
Contact
Social work field education
Social work field education encompasses work-integrated learning experiences that students undertake in social service agencies during their qualifying programme. Internationally, field education is upheld as the heart or 'signature pedagogy' of social work education. Our research explores the elements and dynamics of quality field education from the perspectives of key stakeholders and considers how newly qualified social workers can be equipped and ready for professional practice.
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Awards and recognition
Associate Professor Kathryn Hay was presented with the Australia New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research Field Placement Recognition Award for her significant contribution to field work learning, including introducing innovations to field work placements.
Australia New Zealand Social Work and Welfare Education and Research Field Placement Recognition Award, 2019
Dr Kathryn Hay
Find out more