Deep Tech Pathway
Your gateway to Deep tech talent Pathway!
About the Program
Deep Tech Talent Pathway is Illume Foundation’s initiative to foster a deep tech ecosystem in Australia by enabling talent development and talent access for deep tech companies.
This program provides 3, 6 and 12 months paid placements into deep-tech companies while getting trained in an industry co-designed program. At the end of the placement, the companies have the option to hire the talent.
Areas of placement: Irrespective of which degree you come from, our program is designed to develop your entrepreneurial mindset, creative thinking, problem solving, communication skills and to develop your career innovation plan.
Our students come from backgrounds such as: Data Science, Digital Marketing, Business Analysis, Product Development, UI/UX Design, Software development. However, we’re interested in working with students and graduates from other areas as well. What we look for is- Willing to learn and get things done!
Upon successful completion, you will get a ‘Certificate of Completion’!
Examples of some of the projects that our students have worked in the past:
* Deep-tech ventures are built on scientific discoveries and/or engineering innovations, with a strong research base (De la Tour, Soussan, Harlé, Chevalier and Duportet, 2017).
AI & ML Engineering Internship at a medtech startup; Data Engineer at an energytech Startup.
What’s involved?
- Be available for the duration of the program. Most placements are part-time to meet your university timelines.
- Must be available for Illume training in addition to placement.
Eligibility:
- Open to current students and recent graduates (within 12-18 months of graduation). Due to high demand for this program, emphasis will be placed on students studying PhD or Masters level background or high achieving undergraduate students/graduates.
- Placement can be taken as part of university course credit or non-course credit. All course credit placement must be approved by your institution
Cost:
This is a paid placement where the students get paid by the participating companies. Amount of payment will be confirmed at the time of appointment and will be in line with the Australian Fair Work Act.
How to apply?
Startup Experience To Match Your Degree
FAQ
Is it ever too early to approach the Illume Foundation about internship placements?
It’s never too early to reach out. In fact, most of students come to us in their first year or second year. We get excited to see this because it means you’re thinking about your career early on and ready by the time you graduate.
What if I’ve already had an internship before, can I still apply for an Illume internship?
Yes, you absolutely can. However, we are mindful of too many internships and hence encourage you to consider if you really need another internship.
I am looking for a job, does Illume provide job opportunities?
Yes. Illume offers Graduate Paid Placements which are usually a minimum 1 year program with further extension.
Companies in Illume Network are also hiring for short term and long-term roles.
To get access to our jobs and be on our radar, make sure you have your most up to date profile on Illume platform.
What types of internships are available through Illume Foundation?
Paid Internship: Students get paid for undertaking internship. 30-40% of our internships are paid internships and are paid at entry level standard rate as per FairWork Act.
Unpaid Internship: These placements are offered as Course-Credit Internships only. You will need to be enrolled at an Educational Institute and have credit points to take this up. Please check with your university before applying for Course-Credit Internship. Around 60% of our internships are allocated for course-credit internships to allow students to get practical work experience before they graduate.
Volunteering Opportunities: In exceptional cases and on a case-by-case basis, Illume can offer volunteering opportunities at a not for profit (nfp) or charitable organisations. This represents <10%.
Illume focuses on Startup experience and there are many wonderful nfp and charities that you can seek outside of Illume Foundation. Find them here https://probonoaustralia.com.au/jobs/
Do you provide internship experience for people outside of Australia?
Currently, we are focused on students/graduates from Australian Universities. Our goal is to empower students/graduates across the world in future.
Can I get a paid internship and do it for course credit?
Yes, you can absolutely do your Paid Internship for course credit.
How do you help students or graduates get their first job?
Illume provides experience at a startup, mentorship and opportunities to expand your network.
Illume also provides job opportunities in the hidden job market through advocacy and reference.
Once you are part of Illume Fellowship, you’re part of Illume Family for life!
Does Illume charge me for internship and/job placement?
Illume exists to support students and graduates hence Illume does not charge you for internship if the internship is taken as part of our university course credit. You must show your course credit approval from your university to avail this before the start of the program.
We also offer scholarships under our ‘Accessibility Program’. Illume Accessibility Program exists to support talented students and graduates from under-represented communities such as Indigenous backgrounds, rural communities. Scholarships are assessed case by case basis.
Where Illume charges a placement fee is for Non-Course Credit Traineeship. Our Non-Course Credit Traineeship allows graduates who are no longer eligible to take course credit internships still get experience at a startup. In addition, they also attend weekly training sessions at Illume Foundation. The current fees for the Traineeship in 2023 is AUD$1000 which goes towards training materials, administrative and insurance costs.
*Traineeship constitutes a learning component and training in the organisation and is not an employment.
Why does Illume charge for Non-Course Credit Placement?
Illume provides non-course credit placement at a subsidised rate to the applicants. The course has been subsidised through Industry or Philanthropic funding). This enables Illume to provide quality placements, take care of admin cost, insurance and technology access.
What does Illume look for in the applicants?
- Growth Mindset (ability to learn). Learn more about Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUWn_TJTrnU
- Ability to get things done
Do I need to have previous work experience in the field if I am applying for the internship?
No. Our goal is to help you get your first work experience- so no!
What is your selection process and how long does it take?
- Step 1: Apply via Illume website
- Step 2: Interview with Illume team
- Step 3: Be Matched to a company
- Step 4: Interview with the host company
- Step 5: Start your placement and attend weekly sessions for Fellowship.
It usually takes about a month.
How often does the placement run?
Placements are run twice every month.
Can I be considered again, if I was unable to find a match or missed the internship deadline?
Yes, we can consider you for internships until a match is found or until you change your preference.
How should I get in touch with the Illume Foundation?
You can get in touch via our platform <<link here.>>
How do I know which company is the best fit for my profile?
Illume uses advanced algorithms to match you with the company based on your profile and preference.
Do I get to select the company before being matched?
No, all companies are matched by Illume. We do consider your background, interest and goals to match you with the company. You have the option to decline the offer if you feel there was no good fit between you and the company.
What is Illume Foundation and why is it a social enterprise?
Illume exists to foster the ‘culture of innovation & entrepreneurship’ by
- Fostering the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs
- Providing talent pathway programs to fill the talent gap
- Through programs, resources and events that are underpinned by the future of work
We are a social enterprise with a social mission to Make Opportunities Accessible, breaking the No Experience No Job Cycle.
We’re aligned with 7 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about the UNSD Goals here https://sdgs.un.org/goals
- Goal 1: No Poverty: Through dedicated programs, initiatives and scholarships targeted to underrepresented communities and those historically have been marginalised thus ‘breaking the No Experience No Job Cycle’
- Goal 4: Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
- Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and participation through dedicated programs
- Goal 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Build resilient future by collaborating with industry, academic and government to foster innovation and entrepreneurship
- Goal 10: Reduce inequality through dedicated programs and participation opportunities
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals: Collaborate with industry, academia and government to foster global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Why does Illume focus on Startup Internships?
A startup is a company or business typically in the early stages of its development that uses innovation and/or technology to scale rapidly and capture global markets.
As such startups focus on experimentation – continuously testing, iterating, and learning. This provides a training ground for entrepreneurial thinking, critical problem solving and innovative mindset. An internship at a startup can provide you with a wealth of experience.
Does Illume work with big companies?
While our placements and internships are focused on startups, our fellows have gone on to join firms like PwC, Deloitte, Accenture post Fellowship.
Our focus to work with startups comes from our mission to foster the startup ecosystem. We believe many of the big companies have the resources, manpower and brand to attract talent while startups need every bit of support, especially during the early days of their operations.
We do hope to collaborate with big companies, particularly innovative and technology companies as we believe ecosystem fosters when we all collaborate.
What’s it Like to Work with Illume Startups?
Read Illume Fellow’s (Bang An Duong) experience on Startup Internship
‘The Road Less Travelled: A Plunge into Startups with Startup Gippsland’