Indigenous ASPIRE Program

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Western Sydney University acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of the Lands, the Darug, Gundungurra, D’harawal, Wiradjuri and Bundjalung Peoples, upon which our campuses now stand. We continue to value the generations of knowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples embed within our University. This land Always Was and Always Will hold great cultural and spiritual importance to First Nations peoples.

About the Indigenous ASPIRE Program

The ASPIRE Program is a unique initiative aimed at supporting Indigenous undergraduate students studying in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Design, Building Management and Construction Management

Aim of the Indigenous ASPIRE Program

The ASPIRE Program provides a paid part-time internship with industry partners, which allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain valuable work experience while studying for the duration of their degree

ASPIRE Program Founder

In 2020, Professor. Olivia Mirza the Associate Dean of Engagement for School of Engineering, Design & Built Environment is the founder of the Indigenous ASPIRE Program aiming to support Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students, studying Engineering, Design and Built Environment with career opportunities. The ASPIRE program connected Indigenous undergraduate students to Industry partners providing paid internships and work experience opportunities
“Speaking to our Indigenous students, we understand there are significant social, educational, and cultural influences that can impact the students’ study and career choices. In knowing this, we aim to support our Indigenous students throughout their studies, as well as provide opportunities for their future.”
The ASPIRE program respects the knowledge and cultural identity of our Indigenous communities and would like to see this representation more in the STEM areas in the future. Our team works with Indigenous students at Western Sydney University, as well as prospective students from High schools in the Greater Western Sydney region. The ASPIRE Team aims to help and guide Indigenous students to develop their careers as the future leaders of our generation.

Olivia Mirza, person smiling and looking at the camera, with short dark hair, red lips and black/purple/blue design on clothing

ASPIRE Program Project Officer

Sharidan Kearney is a proud Ngiyampaa, Wiradjuri & Yorta Yorta woman working as the ASPIRE Program Project Officer in the School of Engineering, Design & Built Environment at Western Sydney University.

Steps to apply for the Indigenous ASPIRE Program

Students apply to Western Sydney University
Apply for any undergraduate WSU degree within the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment
Requirements: Complete/In process of finishing their First Semester in their First year of studies
Attend Online/ In person Info Session
An info session will run in both Semester 1 and 2 to meet the ASPIRE Team (Prof Olivia Mirza & ASPIRE Program Project Officer) where students can yarn with us and learn more about our connected industry partners and internships opportunities available
Express Interest
Students will then inform the ASPIRE Team if they are interested in participating in the ASPIRE Program
Decide where to work
Students will receive a document with information on each of the potential employers (suited to their degree) to learn more about the company and opportunities available
Meet the employer
The ASPIRE Team will set up an Online meeting with the chosen industry partner, the student and the ASPIRE Team included to support the student – Students will then send the ASPIRE Team their resume & cover letter
Accept Employment
After the online meeting, the employer will email the students details for an in-person interview/introduction to further discuss work hours, position duties, salary etc

internship application - industry selection - internship offer - monitoring/assessing - graduate opportunities

ASPIRE Program Contact Email & Student Registration Link

If you are an Indigenous Australian Western Sydney University student studying in the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment and are interested in the ASPIRE Program you can contact the ASPIRE team via email:
Aspire-enquiries@westernsydney.edu.au

We encourage prospective Indigenous students to express interest early.
Click here to register