Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Women in Computing – Student Leader Onboarding

Welcome to the Women in Computing Student Leader team!

Please read carefully each step of the onboarding below and use it as a resource and guide for your journey as a Student Leader. If you have any questions, please email us at wic@eait.uq.edu.au.

And most importantly, have fun!

  1. Program Overview
  2. Uniform and code of conduct
  3. Conversation Starters
  4. Important Documents
  1. Marketing Content
  2. WE/WiC Camp
  3. UQ ACM-W
  4. Checklist

3. Conversation Starters

Unsure of how to start a conversation with a prospective student, how to present things or how to deal with awkward silences? The below are some tips and tricks to get you started. 

Transparency

It is very important that the information provided to prospective students is accurate.

  • If you are asked a question that you don’t know, never make up or guess an answer. It is ok to say you don’t know an answer to a question.
  • Instead, take one of the following options:
    • Defer to an experienced Student Leader or staff member for guidance
    • Take the student’s details so that we can get back to them 
    • Encourage them to email us (contact details on the back cover of UG guide)
    • Recommend they come to Open Day to learn more

Using publications

  • The study guide is your bible. It includes information about all our programs including overviews of programs and career outcomes, ATAR cut offs, degreee duration, prerequisites, majors.
  • When using publications, ensure that you are holding it so that they can read it
  • Point out where they can find the information on the page for later perusal
  • When using terms like ‘Majors’ and ‘Prerequisites’ make sure they understand what it means

Be proactive 

  • Say hello first, especially to students that look nervous
  • Have your spiel prepared
  • Show interest in what they have to say, ask follow up questions
  • Defuse awkward silences with quiet students with lead-in questions “Have you heard about UQ’s…”

Ask questions that help you develop a profile of the prospective student

  • Do they have an idea of what they want to do for a career?
  • Do they have a rough idea of what ATAR they may receive?
  • What are their strengths? What subjects do they enjoy at school?
  • What do they want out of their university experience? (e.g. travel, well-paying job, flexibility, lifestyle)

Selling points 

EAIT Get Student Mentoring

  • 6 week program for commencing students
  • Student to student mentoring – get tips, share experiences and information including services and support

Clubs and societies

  • 220+ clubs and societies, many in engineering, architecture, computing and IT

Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to get some extra financial support so that students can focus on their studies. Scholarships are available for future students as well as current students so be sure to mention this.

There are scholarships available for both students who:

  • are experiencing financial hardship
  • have high academic achievement
  • are just starting out or are partway through your degree
  • identify as woman
  • come from rural or remote areas
  • are studying specific specialisations and majors
  • intend to engage in experiences such as conferences, exchange or study tours