Portfolio Projects
If you are looking to fulfil that all important "experience" criteria that many employers ask when you are job seeking, this program is a quick and easy way to check that experience checkbox!
Many students may be facing graduation wondering how they can boost their employability, or just want to boost their employability in general. Portfolio Projects give you the chance to gain practical leadership experience for your resume, including hard skills, soft skills, and all-important interview question responses.
If you’ve ever been asked “what was a time you’ve shown leadership?” or “what skills can you bring to this position?” in a job application and not known what to say, this is the program for you.
In this program you will take an idea (either your own idea or one we’ve prepared; please see below) for a small HASS-focused project i.e. a student lead podcast or even a book club, and develop your employable skills by executing that project. Some projects will require funding, if needed, teams may be provided with up to $100 funding for their projects as well as clear instructions and guidance every step of the way. These projects can be implemented either on St Lucia campus or online. Off-shore students are strongly encouraged to participate.
Applications are now open for S2, 2022!
Apply for a Pre-Prepared Project Apply for a Create Your Own Project
How do I implement a project?
We know that ‘project implementation’ sounds scary, but it’s not as hard as it seems!
Working either individually or in teams of 2-4, you will plan your projects with the aid of our Project Timelines and Project Checklist Documents (provided to you once your application is approved). These documents outline everything you need to do to implement your projects.
We’ll also be running three workshops throughout the semester to help you develop the skills you need to make your projects the best they can be.
Finally, if you run into any issues along the way the Student Futures team will be there to help you out!
(Remember that we’re only talking small here, you’re not expected to run a UQ-wide project!)
Pre-Prepared Projects
Please note that if you are applying for a pre-prepared project, that you will likely be grouped into a team with other students that are interested in completing the same project idea, but don't worry, this isn't like regular course group work! Every student in this program wants to engage in these projects so you shouldn't have any issues in terms of committment or effort.
1. Mindfulness Workshop
Mental health is a growing concern amongst students, and this project provides the perfect opportunity to help address it! This project could involve a mindfulness workshop, or relaxation techniques, just to name a few. We may be able to assist in providing funding for instructors, equipment hire, catering, and other incidentals. This project can be run online or on campus.
2. Student Spotlight Podcast
Help provide students an opportunity to showcase their achievements in a podcast! Students could be brought in to discuss a wide range of experiences, from research to clubs and societies to student welfare. This project will be run online.
3. Career Seminar
- Want to illuminate your peers on where their studies can take them? Gather a few speakers who graduated from your program and are now in different roles and facilitate a panel discussion that enlightens your attendees on their career options. We recommend narrowing in on a specific program of study. This event will be run online.
4. Photography/ Videography Group
- Bring your cameras, shoot some great pictures, capture special moments, share tips and tricks, invite experts to teach technical skills sessions, there is heaps that you could do with this group! This could be an on campus or online group depending on which direction you want to take it in.
5. Public Speaking Practice Group
- We know that for a lot of students this is a big fear or point of struggle! Whether you’ve got a talent for public speaking, or you like the idea of creating a safe space for students that empowers them to practice this skill, this project is yours to craft! We can help provide funding for any catering, information pamphlets, advertising etc. that might be involved with this group. This project will be run on campus.
6. Trivia Night
- Everyone loves a fun round of trivia, and this project gives you to opportunity to put a HASS-spin on a classic! Write up some trivia questions (questions could be categorised by school, degree, etc.) and find out who is the true master quizster! We can help provide funding for catering and other incidentals (e.g. printing costs). This project can be run either online or on campus.
7. Advanced Employability Workshops
- We’re talking resumes, interview techniques and networking workshops all of which have been designed already! You would be a co-facilitator on this project and help deliver the content alongside experienced presenters. There is opportunity within this project to invite industry guests, as well as be a part of the advertising and marketing strategy. This is the perfect opportunity to finesse your presentation and teaching skills. This project will be run online.
8. Boardgames Night
- Dust off the games cupboard and get playing! This project allows for students to socialise and make friends over a fun (or ferocious) board or card game. We can help provide funding for catering and, if necessary, purchase of games or online game rental. This project can be run online (playing virtual games) or on campus.
9. Language and/or Culture Workshop
- Do you have a passion for languages and culture and want a chance to share it with UQ? Run your own Language and Culture Workshop! This would involve teaching students the basics of your chosen language (think “hello, nice to meet you”) and a brief introduction to your chosen culture. Please include your language and culture of choice when choosing this project. We could help provide funding for catering and other incidentals (e.g. printing worksheets). This project can be run online or on-campus.
10. HASS Plant-potting Workshop
- Plant-potting workshop - Being around plants is a great way to destress and make the world more green! You don’t need to be a green-thumb to do this project, simply find some hardy plants, some pots, and some potting mix and get planting! We can help provide funding for plants, pots, potting mix, and any other incidentals (e.g. tools). This project will be run on campus.
11. Speed-Friending Event
- Give students the chance to get together and make new friends at a speed-friending event! Speed-friending involves getting a bunch of new people together and rotating them around a table (or break-out rooms) so they all get a chance to chat with each other and make new connections! We can help provide funding for catering and any other incidentals (e.g. name badges). This project can be run online or on-campus.
12. Pomodoro Writing Workshop
- Help students get those essays done and finish off some yourself at the same time with a Pomodoro writing workshop! The Pomodoro writing technique involves writing for 25 minutes then taking a 5 minute break, with longer breaks after every fourth repetition. We can help provide funding for snacks and other incidentals. This project can be run online or on-campus.
13. Running Group
- Get active in a fun, social way with a HASS running club! Grab your joggers and get students together for a few laps of campus and make some new friends along the way. We could help provide funding for incidentals (e.g. printing posters for the club meeting place). This project will be run on campus.
14. Paint and Sip
- Have a knack for drawing or painting? Why not bring groups of friends together and guide them through a basic painting class? While we can’t provide you with budget for the alcohol, we can provide the paints and canvas’, and we could look at booking a space to hold this e.g. The Pizza Caffe. This project can either be run online or on campus.
15. Inter-school Picnic
- Give HASS students the chance to mingle between schools at an inter-school picnic! Pair attendees with others from different schools to meet new people, and maybe even discover new study areas of interest! We can help provide funding for catering and other incidentals. This project will be run on campus.
16. 2nd Hand Sale
- Give your old clothes or books a new lease on life and make some money in the process! Give students the opportunity to bring a selection of old clothes and goods and sell them at a 2nd hand sale! We could help provide funding for incidentals (e.g. laundry). This project will be run on campus.
Create Your Own Project
If you have a passion or area of special interest and want to share this with your HASS peers, creating your own project is the way to go! Don't worry, you will still get the same documentation and support as the pre-prepared projects, you will just be responsible for coming up with the idea as well as implementing it! Apply now as an individual or as a team, we look forward to reading your idea submissions!
FAQ’s
Who is eligible?
- All current HASS students are eligible, including off-shore students. This means anyone who is currently studying a HASS degree or HASS-related dual degree (e.g. Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts).
What if I don’t have an idea for a project?
- That’s completely okay! We’ve come up with some ideas, see the pre-prepared projects tab above. When filling out the application form, select that you’d like a pre-prepared idea and choose your top 3. You’ll be automatically paired with another student/students who chose the same idea and will implement the project together.
I like the concept of a pre-prepared project, but would like to make a few changes..
- These projects are YOURS! We simply create pre-prepared ideas to give you some guidance on what is possible. If your application is approved, you and your group can decide on the best course of action for implementing your project. We are happy to support you in whichever direction you take the idea.
Can I do an online project?
- Absolutely! We have a number of projects that can be completed online (and in fact, are actually better if delivered online). If you want to do one of the pre-prepared ideas, please click whether you’d like to implement this idea online or on-campus (or either) when filling out the form.
When do the projects need to be done by?
- All projects must be completed by the end of Week 9 (23 September 2022). However, for best engagement (and to make sure you’re not too busy with your studies) we recommend completing your projects by about Week 8.
Can I do a project with a friend/s?
- Absolutely! Provided they are a HASS student.
- If you have your own idea, ensure you include the names, student numbers and emails of your group members when you apply so that we know who else is involved.
- If you’d like to do the same pre-prepared idea, you should individually fill out the application form and select the same idea, then email us at studentfutures@hass.uq.edu.au to let us know you’d like to work together.
When do I need to sign up by?
- Registrations close on the 15th of July 2022.
I’d like to do a project, but what if I don’t know where to start?
- That’s completely okay! If you have your own project in mind, put it down when you fill out your application form and the Student Futures team will be in contact. Once your project has been approved, or if you’ve chosen a pre-prepared project, the Project Timeline and Project Checklist will be provided to you. These documents outline everything you need to do to get your project up and running! We’ll also be running three workshops during the semester to help with the skills you’ll need for your projects.
Are there any limitations on the project I can do?
- If you are running an event, it must be for HASS students only, including HASS-related dual degree students. We cannot assist with purchasing alcohol for events. If you are implementing a content creation project (e.g. podcast) it must be HASS-focused, meaning most content on the platform must be related to HASS, but it can be accessible to the general public.
- It is important to note that not all projects are funded, but also, not all of them need to be! However, if this concerns you, please know that we do have parterships with speakers, businesses, and other important stakeholders that allow us to obtain many free resources. You will receive more information on this when you are in the program.