Industry Project Program – An answer to early career talent pipeline
For the last 4 years, the Global Academic Program here at SAS Australia / New Zealand, has offered the Industry Project Program. “What’s is it and how is it relevant to me?”, is a question that you might be asking.
The Industry Project Program is a quick and easy way for SAS customers to establish and grow university-industry partnerships. With the goal of finding and onboarding student talent, by leveraging the SAS Global Academic Program university partner ecosystem.
You’ve probably heard of capstone projects, or final year projects. The industry project program is a way for SAS customers to connect with SAS university partners, access the capstone program, and have students, work on a project that from your business point of view, might be important, but not urgent. What better way to work with the next generation workforce!
SAS Australia has 5 flagship university partners, supports 25+ premiere university programs and is integrated into 300+ subjects. SAS New Zealand has 2 flagship university partners, supports 5+ premiere university programs and is integrated into 30+ subjects. This is mirrored regionally and globally.
What is a capstone project?
Put simply, it’s an opportunity for a student to apply academic, subject and domain knowledge to a real-world project or business problem. Capstone projects allow students to apply the theories, concepts, and skills they've learned throughout their degree, to solve a real industry problem. This hands-on experience is often more in-depth work than traditional coursework and the program gives students a tangible way to showcase their skill and knowledge to potential employers. The capstone often results with a report, presentation, prototype, or research paper, which students can showcase in their professional portfolio.
Customer Benefit
Students typically select capstone topics that are aligned to their career interests and aspirations. So, from an industry point of view, customers know they’re working with talent that is already connected to their industry space, and is providing the student the opportunity to deep dive into a subject they are interested in. And that will help students discover new areas of interest and refine their career direction.
In short it provides customers with the opportunity to:
- Access innovative solutions and fresh perspectives
- Incorporate up-to-date knowledge, and creative thinking
- Leverage out-of-the-box thinking
- Avoid constraints as students often approach problems in novel ways
Benefits can stretch further, for example supporting corporate branding and corporate social responsibility. Community engagement and commitment to education and workforce development. And increase brand visibility amongst higher education, enhancing the company's reputation on campus.
Talent Benefit
It goes without saying, that the Industry Project Program also provides students a skill building opportunity. Capstones develop essential soft and hard skills that customers highly value, such as:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Communication and presentation
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Project management and research
Skills that often mirror those required in entry-level professional roles. Capstone also provide students networking opportunities and may involve collaboration with industry mentors, faculty advisors, and external stakeholders. These networking relationships can lead to job referrals, internships, or professional mentorship.
In short increased employability. Having a completed capstone project gives students a competitive edge during job interviews. It provides a structured example of their ability to manage a complex project from start to finish—something employers highly value.
Bringing Industry Capstone Engagements to Life
So how does the Industry Project Program bring capstone opportunities to our customers? Well, its as simple as contacting Academic@oz.sas.com.
We recently supported the University of Canberra capstone program. As a SAS Global Academic Program partner, the University of Canberra is committed to preparing students for professional and personal success. And the capstone project program ensures students are equipped to make meaningful impact in their community. The program enhances student learning by providing exposure to industry and is a successful bridge between academia and industry, such as local business, big tech companies and government agencies.
We’ve also connected with capstone programs at the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, University of Queensland, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia National University and more.
What’s is it and how is it relevant to me?
Hopefully we’ve answered the question “What’s is it and how is it relevant to me?”. And you’re excited to reach out to the SAS Australia New Zealand Academic Program team to discuss identifying a university partner to work with via the industry project program. You too can be a bridge from the university classroom to future early career employees.
