Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator

VIPA

Want to learn more about paid vacation and internship programs?
Want to prepare competitive applications?
Want to learn and network with Western alumni?

The Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator (VIPA) program is for you!

VIPA is a mid-year program designed for early and mid-degree students who want to find and apply for internships, vacation programs, or work experience outside of their degree or course requirements.

Over three weeks, you will learn to prepare competitive applications through a combination of online and in-person practical activities. This program is flexible, and designed to be completed around your mid-year break commitments. Find out more below!

Please note this program is not designed to support internships, work experience, or placements as part of your degree. All questions and concerns about your course should be directed to your course advisor or unit coordinator, searchable in the Western Sydney University Handbook.

Why participate in VIPA?

  • Learn about paid degree-related internship and vacation employment programs outside of your degree.
  • Find out about the recruitment practices used by employers such as resume tracking systems, video applications, assessment centres, and psychometric testing.
  • Practice your interview skills and receive personalised feedback on how to improve your interview technique.
  • Practice your career conversations by attending a program-exclusive event where you will get the opportunity to network and learn from members of the Western Sydney University Alumni community.
  • Receive a personalised online credential upon completion of the program (with a special credential for High Achiever’s within the program).
If you are in your penultimate or final year – we encourage you to consider the Graduate Recruitment Accelerator (GRA) program for more relevant content.

July 2024 Program Dates

Applications Open Monday, 13 May 2024
Applications Close Sunday, 2 June 2024
Program Commences and Welcome Session Monday, 1 July 2024
Online Mock InterviewsMonday, 15 July to Friday, 19 July 2024
Multiple timeslots available   
VIPA Networking Event Tuesday, 23 July 2024
Program ClosesWednesday, 24 July 2024

Frequently Asked Questions


Is there a cost to participate in the program?

Is there a cost to participate in the program?

There is no cost to participate in any part of the Vacation and Internship Program Accelerator 2024.

What is the time commitment for the program?

What is the time commitment for the program?

The program is designed to be completed flexibly around your winter break commitments. Online content is approximately 2 to 3 hours a week, can be completed at any time during the assigned week, and the online mock interviews session will have a range of timeslots to choose from.

There are only 2x firm time commitments:

  • Welcome Session – Monday 1 July 2024 – 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm
  • Program Closing Networking Event - Tuesday 23rd July 2024 – 5.30 pm to 7.3 0pm

I will be overseas during the break, can I complete the program?

I will be overseas during the break, can I complete the program?

To complete the program, you must attend all of the online and in-person components. As such, if you are overseas during any of the above event times, you will not be eligible to complete the program.

Do you have a question?

Ask us a question through CareerHub if you want to know more or have any questions about applying.