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Wednesday, 1 November 2017

UWA students have contributed more than 31,000 hours of community service in the first two years of the McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship program.

Software engineering Masters student Alex Arnold spent his winter break in blustery Albany revamping the Men’s Resource Centre’s website and building an app to take the centre’s programs to the global stage – all part of his McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship.

Alex used the skills he learned during his degree to explain the complexities of app development in lay-man’s terms to his supervisor – important experience not all software developers get before they step into the working world. The app is now in its final stages of development and Alex has made sure Grant and the Men’s Resource Centre team are equipped to update its content whenever they need.

Alex was exposed to the day-to-day workings of the centre – from going on bike rides with Grant, the centre’s CEO, and the men participating in the Positive Mentoring Program, to helping out during the centre’s Wellness Checks in the community.

Alex’s insight into the work the Men’s Resource Centre does and the not-for-profit sector has given him a clear idea of the types of organisations he’ll apply for, when he finishes university.

“Being involved in their work a huge learning experience,” Alex says. “It made me think more about the company I want to work for. “Now, I'm looking to see what they do from a volunteering perspective too.”

In just two years, the McCusker Centre for Citizenship has placed 300 students with 250 not-for-profit, community and government organisations to undertake hands-on community work in areas such as homelessness, Indigenous health and mental health.

The internships give students the opportunity to contribute to the community while earning academic credit at the same time.

Students have taken up McCusker Centre for Citizenship opportunities locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Two students are currently finishing their internships in New York working with Global Citizen, and Law student, Gabrielle Sumich will travel to London this month to undertake the inaugural McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship with Justice UK.

Applications will open on 6 November for the eighth round of McCusker Centre for Citizenship internships. All postgraduate, undergraduate and international students are eligible to apply and the internships can be undertaken for credit or not-for-credit.

You can find more information about the internship program on the McCusker Centre for Citizenship website here .

Media references

Gabrielle Campion (Administration Officer, McCusker Centre for Citizenship) (+61 8) 6488 1690

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