Postgraduate students in the discipline of media and communications can elevate their career prospects and make first industry connections by undertaking an internship with a host organisation. Our partnering host organisations range from media outlets, PR agencies, and government departments to in-house communication units across the corporate and community sectors.
Over 20 workdays (or 140 hours), our students gain real-life perspectives and level up their expertise in strategic public relations, media practice, publishing, or digital communication and culture. Their projects cover content creation, social media communication, digital media design and engagement, editing and writing, to name a few.
Following two degrees that were primarily taught in the classroom, Annie Starr, a Master of Health Communication graduate, was eager to gain practical industry experience. In her final semester as a postgraduate student, Annie embarked on an internship with the Cancer Institute NSW. She joined the Institute's Strategic Communications team through its first formal internship program.
Validating career choices
Annie wanted to 'road test' whether she had chosen the right career path—something she now feels confident and relieved about. Driven by a desire to contribute to improving cancer outcomes in New South Wales, the placement with the Institute aligned perfectly with Annie’s professional and personal ambitions.
Previously, Annie worked for the NSW Health Department at Royal North Shore Hospital where she observed how health and social policy played out on the ground. The internship allowed her to explore how policies were developed at the top level.
Refining skills and strategic intention
The structure of Annie's internship covered an exciting range of job dimensions in strategic communcations. Each week she worked on evergreen healthy lifestyle social media posts and built a portfolio while refining her skill set. A communications project for components of the NSW Cancer Plan introduced Annie to external stakeholders and high-level material. These insights offered Annie a blueprint for managing large-scale projects in the future. She appreciated the level of detail and planning involved in every aspect of the Institute’s work—from social media posts to events and partnerships.
"I have learned that nothing is by accident, every post on Facebook, every event, every partnership and every item of work, is painstakingly detailed and planned out, because they ultimately serve the greater purpose of changing cancer outcomes for the better in NSW," Annie observed.
By engaging with researchers for the Fellows’ Forum within the events portfolio, Annie learned more about NSW’s cancer research and developed her own interviewing techniques.
I’m also passionate about cancer control and influencing cancer outcomes for the better in NSW. Cancer is something that never feels very far away, it has touched my life and the lives of almost everybody I know, several times. I wanted the chance to contribute in any way I could, to a cause that I value so deeply.
Annie Starr
Postgraduate student in Media and Communications
Teaming up with a mentor
Annie credited her mentor Rosannah Girdlestone, Senior Strategic Communications Advisor, Cancer Institute NSW, for significantly enhancing her experience on the job. Rosannah sought out learning opportunities and provided support and advocacy. Rosannah described supervising Annie as an incredible experience.
"I have enjoyed working closely with Annie, providing guidance and sharing opportunities with her," said Rosannah. "I think I’ve gotten as much out of our time together as she has—not to mention a new friend who is, without a doubt, destined for great things."
Advice to current students
While postgraduate students can cap off their studies with a dissertation, an audiovisual project, or an industry research report, Annie encourages other students to pursue internships. Her take is that an internship offers so much more than just learning.
It gives you a foot in the door to meet people in the field and network with teams that you could be working with in the future. This is invaluable and I strongly encourage future students to do an internship, particularly if it means stepping out of their comfort zone.
Annie Starr
Postgraduate student in Media and Communications
Through work-integrated learning, Annie bolstered her credentials and gained invaluable practical skills—all before finishing her postgraduate degree.
"This opportunity has given me the chance not just to learn more, but also to learn differently. I never would have had this chance had I chosen another subject," Annie concludes.
Annie Starr finished her Master of Health Communication* at the University of Sydney in 2025. She has always been passionate about health literacy and the unique ways people interpret health information according to who they are and how their individual context shapes their experiences and perspectives. Last August, Annie began her new role as a Communications Officer in the Strategic Communications and Engagement branch at the Ministry of Health.
* Health Communication units of study are now offered in the Master of Strategic Public Relations.
We thank Annie Starr and the Cancer Institute NSW for their cooperation with this article.