The Advanced Genomics Collaboration’s (TAGC) SCOUT program offers an exciting internship opportunity for University of Melbourne students, providing the opportunity to gain hands-on, multidisciplinary experience in solving real-world challenges.
SCOUT stands for "Students Consulting on University Translation." Launched in Semester 2, 2024, SCOUT is a work-integrated learning initiative that brings together students from diverse faculties to work collaboratively on cutting-edge research projects.
SCOUT teams join one of TAGC’s four Innovation Projects, driving genomics-focused biomedical research breakthroughs in cancer, inherited eye disease and common gynaecological disorders.
The internships provide Innovation Projects with access to student talent and a potential future workforce. The unique student model offers diversity that aims to enrich the (research) project and inspire activities in multiple directions.
The students are guided by University of Melbourne researchers and professionals, as well as industry partners such as Illumina, to tackle innovative genomic solutions.
A transformative experience for students
Angela Cisternino, project lead for the SCOUT program, said that for students, SCOUT provides an invaluable opportunity to transition from a classroom mindset to a professional workplace environment.
"Multi-faculty teams bring diversity in skills, experience, and ideas. SCOUT teams are bound to collaborate with each other, so it is really a growth model for them," she said.
Participants work in multidisciplinary teams, gaining skills in communication, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration. This approach helps students discover how their knowledge applies to real-world scenarios and broadens their career perspectives.
Shuning Shi, a Master of Applied Econometrics student, shared: "I've now got a sense of what health economics is and what it can bring to society. It has really broadened my options and changed my mindset."
Similarly, Anne-Dyanna Jayatilake, a Bachelor of Science student, described the program as "an amazing opportunity to get real-world experience while still in uni, to get a bit more direction of where you want to go in life."
The program also encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Pwarisa Tachaplalert, Arts student majoring in Psychology and Media Communications, reflected, "I got to work with people from different faculties and backgrounds, which gave me a new insight into what work in the real world would be like. We looked at the same things with a different lens."
Practical skills for future success
SCOUT equips students with practical experience and career-informing skills. Dylan Cheong, a master's student in engineering, emphasised the importance of teamwork: "I now know how vital it is to have multidisciplinary teams, to have access to different perspectives and address challenges more effectively."
The program also opens doors to career specialisation.Teresa Tamika Tjahjadi, a Master of Biotechnology student, explained,"During this internship, I mainly did commercialisation activities, whichI find to be very interesting and that is the area of science that I want to continue in."
Get involved in the next SCOUT cohort
Applications for the semester one 2025 SCOUT cohort are open to students across the University of Melbourne faculties of Science, Medical, Dentistry and Health Sciences (Masters of Genomics and Health), Engineering and IT, Business and Economics, and Arts. Please look out for the TAGC projects being advertised through the traditional channels via your faculty.
As Kara Miwa-Dale, a Bachelor of Science student, said: "Students considering this internship should definitely apply. I had a really good experience and learnt a lot about other jobs in science that aren't just the traditional research jobs. Even for students not in the science faculty, I still think it is a really valuable program."
Beyond individual development, the program provides a platform for networking. Students have engaged with Illumina through events like alumni panels and networking lunches, gaining insights into the broad array of careers in genomics.
As Daleescha Rivai, a Master of International Business Student, said, "Working with a health economist on this project has opened my eyes to how I can use my degrees in the future."
Visit TAGC’s student page for more information and to apply.