Careers and employability

Apply for the UQ Employability Award

Open to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, the UQ Employability Award will help you realise your aspirations, become a leader in your chosen field, make a positive impact on society, and enhance your employability.

When you graduate, you can apply for a formal certificate that recognises the enhanced experience and skillset you developed at UQ.

Unlock your employability with a MOOC

Learn how to unlock your personal and professional development and market your skills by registering for the UQ MOOC Unlocking your Employability.

This free self-paced EdX course will introduce you to:

• employers who discuss what they value in a graduate
• current students who have maximised their university experience
• graduates who have transitioned successfully into the workplace
• academics who work in the field of employability.

UQ Employability Week

Set yourself up for a satisfying career during UQ Employability Week. Whether you’re in your first or final year, you'll discover career opportunities, develop your professional capabilities and connect with employers, alumni, industry partners and peers.

Go global

Gain important life skills and an international perspective with a global experience.

UQ offers a range of student exchanges and short-term global experiences that will enhance your professional and personal life.

Turn your ideas into action

Get involved with UQ Ventures to develop the skills and mindset to innovate like an entrepreneur.

You'll find a range of information about entrepreneurship and incubator programs, and business development and networking opportunities.

Join a UQ Science committee

Develop your leadership skills and have your say on decision-making processes at UQ by applying to be a UQ Science committee student representative.

UQ Science committees provide a forum for members to discuss operational matters within the Faculty of Science and to make key decisions about the student learning experience.

By offering your perspective on discussion topics and contributing to decision making, you’ll develop professional and personal skills, see high-level governance in practice and build relationships with staff. You can also count committee membership towards the UQ Employability Award.

Find out more about committee representation at UQ.

Gain practical skills and experience in a work-integrated learning placement course.

You'll learn about the nature of careers in science, identify possible career pathways, and reflect on your professional skills and personal development.

Find out more about how to enrol in a placement course.

UQ Summer and Winter Research programs

Apply for a UQ Summer or Winter Research Scholarship to work with UQ experts in a formal research environment.

You’ll apply your classroom knowledge, develop your analytical, critical thinking and communication skills, and develop industry and academic contacts.

Undergraduate (including honours) and masters by coursework students who are currently enrolled at UQ may apply.

All successful Research Scholars receive a scholarship for the duration of their research.

Find out more:

• UQ Summer Research Program
• UQ Winter Research Program

Research-intensive courses

Enrol in an undergraduate research-intensive course to gain extra laboratory experience:

• SCIE3 courses
• Chemistry and molecular biosciences courses
• Veterinary science courses.

Explore pathways

Visit our Careers that started in science website to explore the pathways that many UQ Science graduates have taken.

Read interviews with graduates who talk about a typical day on the job, career insights, and more.

Hear from alumni

Watch our video interviews with UQ Science alumni talking about their current jobs and student experiences.

Student resources

Build your science communication skills online

If you're looking to share your ideas with the world, visit the Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists (CLIPS) website for essential science communication information.

The UQ-developed resource provides instructional videos, best-practice examples, self-driven modules and comprehensive tutorials, helping you to better communicate scientific concepts in academia and the workplace.

Information is displayed in a mobile-friendly and easy-to-navigate format.

Work towards your goals

When it comes time to leave UQ, you’ll have opportunities to build a career pathway in areas as varied as research, industry, education, health or government.

To help you work towards your employability goals before you graduate, the Faculty of Science has developed an Employability Framework.

This self-assessment tool encourages you to think about your academic and personal development and any skills, personal attributes or knowledge that may enhance your future employability.

The tool’s six inter-related ‘jigsaw pieces’ prompt you to consider ways to develop yourself during your studies and extra-curricular activities. The tool also gives you a framework for reflecting on your outlook and behaviour.

Download and view our Faculty of Science Employability Framework (PDF, 197.4 KB).

Staff resources

Find resources for UQ Science Teaching & Learning staff, including personal development and training opportunities, reports, strategy documents, and access to the staff intranet.

The Science Undergraduate Research Conference (UQ SURC) provides a professional platform for undergraduate scientists to present their research with the UQ Science community.

UQ SURC features oral and poster presentations by undergraduate research students (including Honours research students).