The Best New People: vocational internship

As part of a long and trusted partnership with Deakin University, Dixon offers vocational internships to psychology students once or twice a year. The following was written by Dixon’s most recent intern, Urshila.

When I came across the opportunity to intern at Dixon Appointments, one of Melbourne’s most respected recruitment firms, I was instantly drawn in. As a third-year psychology student majoring in organisational studies, I’ve always been fascinated by the human side of business, recruitment, organisational culture, and the psychology behind effective teams. Still, I didn’t fully grasp just how many moving parts there are behind a well-run recruitment agency until I joined Dixon.

I entered the internship with a mix of curiosity and nerves. I was hungry to learn but unsure of what to expect. At first, 140 hours sounded like a long time, I thought it might feel endless. But the experience flew by far too quickly, and by the end, I genuinely wished I had more time. That’s how meaningful and engaging every day in the office was.

From the moment I walked in, I was struck by the culture: genuine, welcoming, and deeply collaborative. The whole team made a real effort to include me, and within two weeks, I felt like I’d been part of the company far longer. Lucy and Kathryn, the amazing directors, have clearly fostered a family-like environment where people feel valued, supported, and seen, and it shows.

Ange and Sue, my incredible mentors in the Customer Experience team, shaped the heart of my internship. Their approach to onboarding was thoughtful and empowering. They never saw questions as a burden; in fact, they welcomed them. I never once felt like “just an intern.” Their trust in me grew quickly, and before long, I was confidently managing responsibilities on my own. That trust was incredibly validating; it made me feel like I wasn’t just observing, I was contributing.

Outside the CX team, recruiters began asking for my help with admin tasks and always took time to explain anything unfamiliar. When I mentioned I was curious about recruitment, they didn’t just nod, they acted. I got to shadow interviews and watch the pros in action. It completely changed the way I think about interviews, not just how to run them, but how to show up as a candidate too.

No task ever felt pointless. Whether it was data entry, scheduling, answering calls and emails, or sitting in on meetings, everything connected back to the bigger picture. I left with a much deeper understanding of recruitment, the client–candidate relationship, and what it takes to run a people-first agency.

Oh, and we even went to a show during the Melbourne Comedy Festival, which was hilarious and a great reminder that this team knows how to have fun and make people feel like part of the crew, on and off the clock.

If you’re a university student wondering if an internship is worth it, here’s my take: absolutely. It’s more than just “experience.” It’s a way to test your interests, build real skills, and grow your confidence alongside people who genuinely want to see you thrive.

This internship will always be a milestone for me, not just because it was my first professional experience, but because of how much I learned, how supported I felt, and how inspired I was by the people I worked with. Dixon Appointments has set the bar high for what a great workplace feels like, and I’ll carry this with me throughout my career.

Careers at Dixon Appointments