2024/2025 Aurora Summer Internships Wrap Up

The Aurora Internships Program recently wrapped up their Summer Round, with 58 interns completing a placement during this time. Working across industries on a range of different projects, Aurora Interns gain invaluable skills in their field of choice that can be applied long after their internship has been completed.

Below, we spoke to four Aurora Interns about their placement experiences during the Summer Round.

Aurora Indigenous Intern Timothy Parks completed his second Aurora Internship during the 2024/25 Summer Round. 

Timothy Parks

Internship Field: Health, Society & Culture (Social Science)

Degree: Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Timothy Parks is a Wiradjuri man who completed his second Aurora Internship during the 2024/25 Summer Internships Round. After completing his first Internship at the Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service in Winter 2023, where he learned valuable skills and developed his knowledge of the medical sector, Timothy decided to undertake his Summer Round placement at Future Fund Management Agency (FFMA).

“The Future Fund was supportive, welcoming and adaptable to the experience that I wanted to have during my time interning with them. They provided me with lots of contacts outside of Future Fund to satisfy my various career interests. They promoted my conversations with as many people as possible within the Company, developing my understanding of the Future Fund and the people that work there (Highly inclusive, diverse and intelligent people).

The doors that opened for me at FFMA are incredible and not the direction I expected go in. I am so incredibly grateful to the Aurora Education Foundation and FFMA for granting me this experience.”

Dylan Parry applied for an Aurora Internship to further his allyship with Indigenous communities.

Dylan Parry

Internship Field: Society and Culture (Social Science)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology

Dylan Parry is a non-Indigenous man who travelled to the Northern Territory to undertake his placement at the Central Land Council. As an Anthropology student, Dylan is passionate about understanding diverse cultural perspectives and how those perspectives can incur positive social change. He was motivated to apply for the Aurora Internships Program because of his desire to work and learn alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“I found my internship to be extremely valuable and enjoyable. I got to undertake a range of tasks that expanded my knowledge of Native Title and Aboriginal culture and met so many interesting people who broadened my perspective on life more generally. Seeing the passion of those working within the field, and its impact on people and community has inspired me to pursue further opportunities in Native Title.”

Elisha Perez was able to explore an area of legal practice she is passionate about through her Aurora Internship

Elisha Perez

Internship Field: Society and Culture (Legal)

Degree: Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Elisha Perez is a First Nations woman with connections to Cape York and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Elisha completed an Aurora Internship with the Environmental Justice Agency (EJA) in Melbourne during the Summer Internships Round. She was drawn to this opportunity because of her passion for social justice advocacy and was excited to extend her existing skills to environmental justice, while working alongside professionals that share her commitment to social and environmental justice.

Elisha’s internship experience was overwhelmingly positive. She gained new skills and a professional network that she hopes to stay connected with throughout her legal career.

“My overall experience was very positive. The work culture was warm and inclusive, and the work itself was deeply interesting and challenging. The connections I have made and practical experience I have gained at EJA will stay with me for the rest of my career.”

Michelle Ann James developed new skills and knowledge in working with Indigenous communities. 

Michelle Ann James

Internship Field: Society and Culture (Social Science)

Degree: Masters of International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies

Michelle Ann James is a non-Indigenous woman who completed her Aurora Internship with Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory (APONT). Michelle was motivated to complete an internship with Aurora because she is passionate about learning and unlearning. She wanted to participate in an internship that helped her be an active participant in reconciliation efforts by applying her classroom knowledge to support a First Nations organisation.

“I engaged with extremely critical and sensitive policy work, and I felt like I was doing something meaningful. My supervisors were understanding and flexible. I am more confident in policy work which has helped me plan my future in pursuing policy writing roles.”

The Aurora Internships Program is open to First Nations students year-round. To learn more about the Program, click here.