Career Activate
The Link Between Your Degree and Your Career
Western’s Career Activate is all about opening doors for you. Our innovative work integrated learning program is designed in conjunction with valued industry partners to help you develop a range of real-world skills and experiences that will set you apart from the competition.
This is your opportunity to attend and engage in a Live Experience event with a prominent industry partner. Here you’ll have a chance to bring your skills and knowledge to the table and solve real-world business problems. These opportunities can include hackathons, pitch sessions, and workshops.
During the event, you will have the chance to connect and network with partners and participate in activities connecting you with peers who share similar interests.
Before the event, you will be given access to the Virtual Experience on Western Edge so you can better prepare yourself for the Live Experience. To set you up for success, we have co-created a Western Edge playlist consisting of professional training and partner-specific learning tailored to the current challenges facing the industry. This part of the program takes about 3-hours to complete and offers flexible learning so you can immerse yourself when it suits you best and complete the activities at your own pace.
By taking part in Career Activate not only will you build meaningful connections with leading industry partners, it’s also a chance to stand out and place yourself at the top of Western’s highly sought-after graduates.
Career Activate is just another way Western Cares More and sets you on a path to success.
2025 Career Activate Challenges
After an amazing collaboration with KPMG in Autumn 2025, we’re gearing up for our next big industry partnership later this year — and you won’t want to miss it.
This is your chance to connect with our industry partners, gain real-world insights, and boost your career potential. Keep an eye out for updates!
Previous Challenges
EY
The Spring 2024 event with EY focused on how AI is transforming the world of work. We invited students to learn about AI, and to develop practical skills around the process of Design Thinking, a transferrable skill highly sought after by employers.
The Design Thinking workshop saw great feedback from students who participated in 2023 and was a welcome return in 2024.
Deloitte
We were excited to partner with Deloitte for Autumn 2024 in the Career Activate Challenge. Deloitte is in the business of solving complex problems by providing audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and technology services. The Career Activate Deloitte challenge was designed to spotlight personal branding, professional communication and business chemistry.
KPMG
KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing a full range of services including tax and legal, enterprise, audit and assurance, risk consulting, management consulting and deal advisory. As part of this challenge, across both the Virtual and Live Experience, students were able to develop a range of transferrable skills highly sought after by employers, including professional communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Benefits of Career Activate
What did Jonathon have to say about his experience in the program and his exciting internship with Western?
“I found the program to be very well structured, they give you tonnes of guidance, and I think it's well worth the time investment... During my role I learned a range of professional soft skills such as communication through emailing and collaborating with my co-workers. I feel that the experience has made me more confident and has shown me how I can apply myself in a professional setting”. (Jonathon Hines)
Get exclusive access to welcome networking sessions with our industry partners. |
Join a support network with current and past program participants. |
Receive a personalised online credential that you can put on your resume and share with future employers. |
Gain work experience and training in a reputable company to enhance your knowledge and skills. |
"FDM partnered with Western because we see a great potential for talent out there, and we want to help students, before they graduate, to foster the skills we are looking for." - Sophie Zdenkowski, University Partnerships Manager, FDM Group |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the program run?
Career Activate is an extra curricula program made up of specific challenges co-designed with key industry partners. These challenges are generally run twice a year. We recommend checking the Career Activate webpage for updates on key dates and industry partners.
Who can apply for this program?
Whilst some challenges are better suited to students from particular disciplines, the Career Activate program is free of charge and open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. There are no minimum GPA requirements to meet to be eligible to participate. Both domestic and international students are welcome to register.
Can I participate in several challenges at the same time?
You may choose to participate in several challenges, but this is not recommended to be done at the same time. Participating in several challenges may impact on your experience of the program. There are various opportunities to participate in challenges throughout the year.
Do we have to apply for the program?
You will need to register for the program, once you register, we will send you information about the upcoming Welcome Session and how to get started.
What is the Western Edge platform?
Western Edge is Western's online platform for personal and professional development. It's your one-stop-shop to staying engaged within the University and growing your employability. Western Edge can accommodate a variety of learning approaches using interactive digital tools to support the achievement of learning goals. In addition to being a learning platform, Western Edge is also a news, job seeking and community hub.
Contact us
Direct your inquiries to: edge@westernsydney.edu.au
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