Aspire to Leadership

 

Aspire is a unique professional development and personal enrichment program that’s been specifically designed by the University of Western Sydney to cultivate and enhance the leadership qualities of our most gifted high school students.

The Aspire program is a practical response to the need for higher levels of professional skills and better leadership capabilities, over and above academic excellence, that more and more prospective employers are looking for in graduates. This is what makes Aspire so different, because it aims to produce successful professionals rather than just graduates.

Aspire is an invitation-only opportunity for young, talented people with leadership abilities and ambitions, to become part of an elite group of high achieving undergraduate students.  Only the very best qualify for selection.

Students are invited to Aspire on the basis of their UAI score ( a minimum UAI of 90 ) as well as their personal qualities, leadership potential, motivation and non-academic achievements such as community service or engagement. A very high UAI in itself is not enough, as students whose personal interests and achievements are limited are less likely to be invited.

Students also need to be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Australia, who are entering their first year of undergraduate studies, with the added motivation to undertake a series of activities and programs to develop their professional skills.

Aspire will build upon your existing qualities and skills by encouraging you, and giving you the needed support, to become an actively interested and engaged community member, as well as providing valuable networking opportunities for you now and in the future.

By being a part of Aspire you will have the opportunity to get involved in:

•    Aspire Programs - seminars, workshops and welcome retreat
•    Internships and other relevant work experience
•    Campus life through University Service
•    Volunteering through Community Engagement
•    Social events, networking, and having fun

As an Aspire Scholar you will enjoy exclusive privileges and have unique access to the following:

•    Recognition of your participation with a Certificate
•    Valuable networking opportunities within the professional community
•    Invitation to an exclusive Vice Chancellor’s function
•    VIP Invitations to UWS Open Days and other annual events
•    Exclusive members-only entry and use of the Aspire website (Virtual Community) and content,  providing you with 24-hour access to the latest learning, event notification and knowledge opportunities
•    Aspire Member discounts and gifts
•    Our Aspire magazine sent to you quarterly
•    Pod casts and Blogs of Aspire workshop presentations

To be considered for the Aspire program you need to demonstrate the following attributes and experiences:

•    You have been active in and made a significant contribution to your school or been involved in community activities.  
•    You have shown initiative or leadership.  
•    You communicate well.  
•    You enjoy engaging with other people.  
•    You are ambitious and keen to contribute in your chosen field.  
•    You care about what is happening in your community, your country and the world at large.  

If you have some or all of these qualities, you’re intending to study at UWS, and you’ve applied for a UWS Scholarship, then you should seriously consider being a part of the Aspire experience. 


Final selection for the Aspire program is made at a personal interview with a selection committee, held at UWS.  Having achieved the prerequisite high academic standard students are further evaluated for their personal skills and motivation, as well as their non-academic achievements.   Students need to be actively involved in school and community activities, clearly show leadership and initiative, and have excellent communication skills.  


You can’t apply to become an Aspire Scholar, you have to be invited. Students who are given an invitation to the program are then required to attend an interview prior to being formally accepted into Aspire.

Aspire presents you with the challenge to have a go at leading a team. It will test your ability to  provide and receive honest, constructive feedback, and encourage you to learn about yourself, discover your strengths and weaknesses, and show you how you can develop your own leadership style, for the future.

Over the three years of the Aspire program you will be given the following opportunities:


Starting with a two day welcome retreat at Wiseman’s Ferry, your first year in Aspire will take you on an up-building journey of self discovery and development of your leadership skills.
Facilitated by Brett Murray, founder of the youth motivational organisation DareOps, Brett will present you with a series of personal challenges and give you the inspiration to realise your potential.

Workshops

Central to your Aspire experience is a series of professional development and leadership workshops. They have been specifically tailored to provide you with the skills and knowledge to achieve the higher level of performance that employers are increasingly seeking above and beyond just excellent academic results.

The principal facilitator of the Aspire workshops is Avril Henry, Managing Director of HR Revelations and a professional motivational speaker. By exploring communication styles, leadership and negotiation skills, professional writing and many other critical aspects of your future professional life, the workshops will inspire you to develop new ways of thinking and operating.

Additional Workshops

A specialised workshop on Professional Etiquette will be presented by Stuart Nelson, Director of The Business Etiquette Consultancy, It will focus on the key practical skills for life, such as manners and protocol, the art of introductions and handshakes, dressing professionally and negotiating the dinner table

Other elective workshops held in year 2 and 3 of Aspire will include public speaking, media liaison and entrepreneurship

Volunteer Program

UWS believes that Aspire Scholars can and should make a significant contribution to the community by giving their time, and sharing their skills and expertise with others.  As an Aspire Volunteer, you will become an important member of your chosen volunteer organization, and act as a representative of the University of Western Sydney to the community at large.

By heightening your awareness, increasing your community involvement, and raising your social consciousness, we develop in you a better understanding of and desire to meet the needs of the community through direct and thoughtful action.

Coordinated through the Centre for Volunteering, you will have the opportunity to further realise your leadership potential and develop your skills through the exposure and ongoing commitment to volunteer projects. These will not only add value to your own experiences and but also greatly benefit those not-for-profit organizations you associate with.

Internship

In partnership with Talent2, UWS will provide you with valuable hands-on work experience through a paid internship program. This provides you with relevant, real world experience, and the opportunity to put into practise the skills and knowledge you’re learning in your degree. It also gives you an accurate insight into the challenges and demands, needs and opportunities of your chosen field. Talent2 will also provide you with a profile assessment, to gauge your strengths, in order to match you with the right organisation.

Networking Events

Critical to your Aspire experience is the development of your networking skills. This is done through a series of events designed to give you the opportunity to get to know your Aspire colleagues and meet practising professionals on your future career path. At these events you will hear and meet keynote speakers, from a variety of backgrounds, who are invited to share their experiences and knowledge with you, and to arm you with the motivation and professional insights you’ll need to make the most your career.

 ^ Back to top

Aspire Workshops Documents:

• Aspire Workshop Program (PDF, 36Kb)

For more information email or call the UWS Course Information Centre on 1800 897 669