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The University of Queensland’s position as Paralympics Australia’s Higher Education Partner is proving a major boost to the University’s goal to contribute substantially to the state’s Brisbane 2032 legacy.
The diverse partnership includes providing placements at Paralympics Australia for UQ students to gain the unique and valuable experience of being actively involved in a Paralympic cycle. Placements were offered for students around the Paris 2024 Paralympics in a range of roles, including marketing, communications, partnerships and people and culture. One of the interns stayed on as casual employee.
Professor Bruce Abernethy AM, UQ’s Executive Director of the Office of 2032 Games Engagement, noted the partnership bridged the gap between education and employment, setting students up for successful careers, building Queensland’s workforce of the future and creating a vital Games legacy.
“Student placements with industry partners like Paralympics Australia foster a mutually beneficial environment where students gain valuable skills, expand their networks and acquire hands-on experience,” Professor Abernethy said.
“At the same time, Paralympics Australia benefits from fresh talent, innovative perspectives and the opportunity to develop a future workforce.
“By bridging the gap between education and employment, industry placements help cultivate a more prepared, adaptable and skilled workforce. In the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Games, these placements will play a key role in shaping the future of both the industry and the students involved.”
Paralympics Australia’s Head of People and Culture, Claire Fleming, said supporting UQ internships across multiple disciplines had brought fresh energy and perspectives to the team behind the Australian Paralympic Team.
“During the busy Games period, UQ interns were a breath of fresh air, demonstrating enthusiasm, adaptability and a strong willingness to learn,” Fleming said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to extend these opportunities beyond the Games, fostering emerging talent and helping them build their careers. By investing in the next generation, we cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation and growth within the Australian Paralympic Movement.”
University of Queensland students Liam Stingl, Ayushi Tyagi and Kylie Mangili reflect on their placements at Paralympics Australia:
Why did you want to do a work placement with Paralympics Australia?
LIAM: I’ve always wanted to work in the not-for-profit space and see the positive impact on the community you serve.
My research so far has been in diversity and inclusion practices in the workplace. I relished being able to assist PA to formalise their people practices and contribute to an organisation that lives and breathes its ambition to be a source of Aussie pride and to create a more inclusive society.
AYUSHI: I was eager to step into the field of sponsorship and event management and with the Paralympic Games just around the corner, I knew it would be an exciting and invaluable learning experience.
I’ve always been drawn to unique opportunities and Paralympics Australia stood out to me because of its incredible mix of being a charitable organisation while also presenting in a competitive space. That combination really excited me, as I knew it would give me the chance to learn about managing events in a variety of contexts.
KYLIE: As a third-year communications student, I was seeking hands-on experiences. When I heard PA was looking for interns to support the Aussie Paralympic team in Paris, I knew it was an amazing opportunity.
PA has a solid ethos about promoting accessibility in sport and supporting people with disabilities. To me, working with this organisation is work that makes a difference and I knew straight away I wanted to be a part of that.
What was it like to be part of the team behind the scenes during the Paralympic Games?
LIAM: At first it was daunting coming into the organisation during a peak period. However, all the staff were so friendly, welcoming and supportive. It was a wonderful experience and it felt special to be part of something so momentous!
As an organisation, there were a lot of engagement activities designed to help staff during such a stressful period. These were greatly appreciated. It was also wonderful to be included in the comms and updates from the team in Paris through the Paris Banter Chat. This offered staff at home a glimpse into the preparation and hard work going on in Paris.
AYUSHI: The Paralympic Games was such a busy and exciting time. The energy was incredible and it was amazing to see how much effort went into every detail behind the scenes.
It was an eye-opening experience. I knew about the Paralympic Games before, but I didn’t know much about how each sport is classified and I was introduced to sports like boccia and Winter Para-sports for the first time.
One of the memorable tasks I performed was helping send gifts and merchandise to staff shortly before the Games. This was to boost morale and ensure everyone could show their support, even from their offices.
It was inspiring to see how much effort went into keeping the team spirit alive and staying connected despite the distance.
KYLIE: It was thrilling seeing digital marketing in action behind the scenes. My role as an intern involved monitoring our social media pages, website updates and helping with sending messages of support to our Paralympians competing in Paris.
The most fulfilling part was engaging with our audiences and interacting with their heart-warming messages. I really felt like I was contributing to something big, supporting the national Paralympic team and encouraging the hype for our Para-athletes, which was especially rewarding.
Is there anything that really surprised you?
LIAM: The biggest surprise for me was the passion and dedication of the entire PA team. In the lead up and throughout the entire Games period everyone gave 100 percent, going above and beyond to ensure a successful Games delivery. Everyone was ready and willing to chip in wherever necessary.
Before coming to PA, I was largely unaware how much preparation and coordination went into delivering a Paralympics Games. It was wonderful to see all teams within the organisation working in tandem to deliver a shared goal.
AYUSHI: What really stood out was how well PA has built a system to support their athletes. It’s amazing to see how much effort goes into helping athletes at every stage – not just in competition but in creating a space where they can truly thrive.
I also loved how much PA does to raise awareness. PA’s educational campaigns in schools are such a great way to inspire younger generations and encourage inclusivity. Plus, other events outside the Games to spread awareness of what PA stands for is a non-stop effort. It’s incredible the impact PA makes both on and off the field.
KYLIE: I think there’s a lot of preconceived anxiety that students have when it comes to internships, especially if it’s with large organisations. I was intimidated by the onboarding process and office work environment. However, I had a really strong team who were present to help me, so I never felt like I was left unsupported.
It surprised me because I was prepared to feel like I would be treading water, especially during a hectic time like in the middle of the Paris Games. Instead, everything was manageable and I learnt new digital media marketing tools and skills along the way.
How has working at Paralympics Australia helped you prepare for life after university?
LIAM: I have been afforded the opportunity to work quite autonomously on several projects to help build out our people practices. This has set me up for success after university as it allowed me to learn to face challenges and roadblocks that arise in a real-world organisational setting. I’ve developed my skills around moderating my approach to fit the specific needs of the organisation.
AYUSHI: I’ve gained hands-on experience in an administrative role, where I could apply the practical knowledge I learned during my studies in real-time scenarios. This boosted my confidence and gave me valuable skills that I can carry forward into future roles.
I learned so much about event management and sponsorship and even got a glimpse into some aspects of the marketing process. Sponsorship is a crucial part of event management and my time at PA gave me valuable insights into the field. It also reassured me that this is the right career path for me and has motivated me to continue growing in this direction.
KYLIE: It has helped me feel confident in my own abilities working in digital, which I’m sure will help me engage with more opportunities in the future.
My experience with PA has all-round placed me in a great position to go for more opportunities now that I have a greater understanding of the responsibilities involved in digital marketing and of the industry.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Published: 31 January 2025
