Length: 2500 words

Submission: Uploaded to MySCU

Weighting: 40%

Report Background

The objective of this final assignment is to integrate the knowledge you have accumulated during your study program and to assist you to reflect on your current learning. The report provides an opportunity to express and illustrate the level of knowledge acquired through your current studies and builds on your earlier reflective activities. It requires you to make in-depth critical evaluations of current work practices in your internship organisation. Additionally you have the opportunity to make recommendations for future course and internship developments. As you are now working in industry it is imperative that you demonstrate your ability to prepare a professional, industry standard report.

General notes

Your report should be professionally presented and follow a Formal Report Writing format. Visit the Academic Skills website (http://scu.edu.au/teachinglearning/index.php/5) to obtain the guide to writing reports.

For the purposes of this assessment it is acceptable to use the first person (i.e. I, my, me). A minimum of ten well-integrated references are required in this report. The 2500-word length excludes your reference list and any appendices you may want to include.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the appropriate resources and material to successfully complete the report. If you are completing an internship away from home (i.e. in a remote location or overseas), plan ahead and make sure you take the necessary resources with you. Lack of resources is not a valid excuse for an extension for this assignment.

Report Structure

Structure your report as follows:

Executive Summary

Remember that an Executive Summary of a report is just that, a summary. It contains a statement of report purpose and an overview of the actual and specific findings. Generally, it should be no longer than one page. The Executive Summary can only be written after you have completed your report. Write in ‘past’ tense (e.g. the purpose of this report was to … ).  If an Executive Summary is well written the reader should be able to understand the main points, findings, and conclusions of the actual report without having to read the full report.

Contents

Ensure that each heading number, heading and page number are included and professionally laid out. The easiest and most professional way to achieve this is to use the Word feature that automatically creates a Contents table for you. You can create a Contents table using the built-in heading styles and outline-level formats in Microsoft Word. Use these consistently when typing your headings and once you have finished typing your document, place your curser at the beginning of your document, but after your title page then go to Insert, then Reference then Index and Tables, then Table of Contents. If you have formatted and numbered your headings and subheadings using these heading styles, you should instantly end up with a professional-looking Contents table complete with page numbers.

1.0 Introduction (200 words approximately)

Introduction to the report, indicate what you will be talking about and in what order. Check the Academic Skills Quick Guides for tips

http://scu.edu.au/teachinglearning/download.php?doc_id=12761&site_id=301&file_ext=.pdf

2.0 Overview of [Insert Organisation Name Here] and Internship Placement (500–750 words approximately)

2.1 Organisational Background

Name of organisation

Dates of placement

Description/background of the organisation in your own words (e.g. ownership, location, activities, target markets). Do not cut and paste from the Internet or company documents. Ensure you accurately acknowledge your sources of information through correct referencing technique.

2.2 Roles and Achievements during Internship Placement

Brief outline of what you did during your placement. (Position Descriptions may be attached as an appendix.)

Did you achieve the learning goals outlined in your learning contract (Assessment 1)? What was the most valuable learning experience of your internship placement?

What recommendations can you make for the overall course and/or Work Integrated program (including the Professional Development unit and the internship)?

3.0 Professional Impact of the Placement and Integrating University Studies with the Workplace (1200–1400 words approximately)

In this section, you are required to provide insights into the professional field associated with your placement by answering the following:

3.1 Management Skills and Qualities Required in [Insert Industry Sector Name Here] Industry

Based on your placement experience and observations, what management skills and qualities do you believe are important for success in a career in the professional field associated with your placement? (Explain why you believe these skills/qualities are important and link to relevant theory.)

3.2 Key Workplace Issues Facing [Insert Organisation Name Here]

Critically evaluate key workplace practices or issues facing your organisation.

3.3 Recommended Solutions

For one or two of these issues only, demonstrate your creative problem-solving abilities by integrating relevant theory with your inside knowledge and experience, to develop detailed and in-depth recommendations for potential solutions. Support your recommendations with relevant research, academic literature, concepts and principles. Be realistic in your approach, taking into account organisational resourcing and budgetary constraints.

4.0 Conclusion (200 words approximately)

Conclude and summarise the report.

References

Appendix A (if applicable)

Appendix B (if applicable)