Category Archives: Student Business Partnership (SBP)

Morgan Hill Consultants – Employer Case Study

Accounting and Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Administration, Banking and Financial Services, Business and Management, Degree subject, Employer Feedback, Management and Consultancy, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , , ,

 

Name of Organisation: Morgan Hill Consultants

Description of Organisation: We are a team comprising ex CIO’s of multinational businesses, finance professionals, data analysts, data scientists and systems architects. Together we bring hundreds of years of experience in delivering deep insight, cost optimisation and effective deployment of technology inside large organisations.

Name of Employer: Nigel Duke

Job Title: Managing Director

Internship Scheme used:  SBP

Student Business Partnership (SBP) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

We recruited a Data Analyst Support Intern through the Student Business Partnership with the University of Exeter. They helped with the development of a very promising ML algorithm to classify finance data for further analytics. It all went according to plan, there were no issues at all, and it was produced for a very high standard.

We were very impressed with the calibre of the student. We offered our intern an extension which she accepted, and we look forward to continuing working with her.

Our experience was very positive. Our intern was extremely intelligent, diligent, co-operative and very willing to get involved. It was a very positive experience and one that I hope may be repeated.

OverAir – Employer Case Study

Advertising, Marketing and PR, Employer Feedback, Internship Schemes, Student Business Partnership (SBP), ,

Name of Organisation:  OverAir

Description of Organisation: OverAir works exclusively with Apple products, we are also certified Mac Technicians, meaning we use Apple diagnostics and Apple parts where needed. We specialise in helping businesses, schools, and individuals with all things technical, including; troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and general advice. With Apple certified experience across the entire product range, you’re in the safest of hands.

Name of Employer:  Rob Hartman

Job Title: Director

Internship Scheme used:  SBP

Student Business Partnership (SBP) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

We recruited a Marketing Co-ordinator who was tasked with building our social media presence.

Our intern has had a positive impact on our business. She is enthusiastic, intelligent and has fantastic interpersonal skills. She has reached out to our customers leaving a positive impression on them. She designed and organised our van getting wrapped as well as, new signage for our new offices.

We were really happy to have offered her an extension. Our intern has had a positive impact on our social media following and increasing customer engagement.

Quote from Intern:

“I organised the giveaway of a new iPad. This involved promoting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, working with a budget in order to maximise social media campaigns as well as organising, copy-writing and sending out their first email to their customer list of over 900 people. This resulted in over 400 entries to the giveaway and over 5000 engagements on Facebook.”

Music in Devon Initiative – Employer Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Drama, Employer Feedback, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , , ,

Name of Organisation:  Music In Devon Initiative

Description of Organisation:  MIDI is a non-profit-making organisation which has been founded by a group of local musicians and music industry professionals. We aim to develop emerging talent, increase opportunities for musicians and audiences, and generate business for the music industry in Devon.

Name of Employer:  Nick Hall

Job Title: Director

Internship Scheme used:  A2I, SBP

Employer subsidies (A2I) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Student Business Partnership (SBP) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

We recruited a Music Marketing and Admin Assistant through the University of Exeter Internship Scheme. The role was to administer and market various music related projects including the ‘Exeter Street Arts Festival’ and ‘Devon Pop Up Pianos’.

Our intern also was tasked with contacting businesses as part of a subscription scheme we are setting up. She carried out market research and some design tasks which was completed to a very high standard. She was sometimes given slow or negative responses from businesses but was persistent and modified her strategy to cope.

The intern was a great and useful asset to us and helped move an important project forward on several fronts. We will remain in contact with her as other roles she may be interested will likely become available. We were very impressed with the calibre of the student.

 

 

School of Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall- Employer Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Employer Feedback, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

 

Name of Organisation: School of Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall

Description of Organisation: School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall was established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) eleven years ago. Supporting people to develop their personal and professional skills simultaneously; we design and deliver programmes and courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference; mobilising the experience of people from all backgrounds and support them to use entrepreneurial approaches to create lasting social and environmental change. Through this work our ambition is to create a fair and equal society where the potential of all people is fully realised.

Name of Employer: Sally Heard

Job Title: SSE Director

Internship Scheme used:   A2I, SBP

Employer subsidies (A2I) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Student Business Partnership (SBP) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

What role did your intern undertake?

Each year we hold a prestigious Graduation ceremony.  We applied for a Marketing Intern over the summer. The primary aim of the role was to work alongside the SSE team to design a Graduation booklet showcasing each of our students graduating from our Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Trade Up programme.

The primary focus of the role was to work with the students to create a page each within the booklet to showcase their social enterprises. The outcome required of the internship was to create a digital version of the booklet incorporating social media links and profile pictures. We also required a version that could be used in printed format as required. Alongside this key task, our intern was welcomed (and rose brilliantly) to the challenge of being involved other activities including team meetings and occasionally joining programme delivery days.

Was your intern ready for the workplace?

Our intern was exceptional, she joined us pre to starting her internship so we could introduce her to our students that she would be working with.  She then successfully built a good working relationship with each of the students who took part in the Lloyds’ programme.

She was extremely personable from the beginning, and was able to communicate effectively her role, what she needed to achieve and what the timescales were. She was really excited about the project and this came across in every aspect of her work. The intern’s communication skills and personal attributes were so valuable to us.

Communication was such an important aspect of the project, and one of the most difficult things about it. The intern created a good bond with the students and was successful as a result of this. She also had to build trust in a very short space of time with a well-established cohort of social enterprises and she was able to do this quickly and effectively. She had a lovely, sunny personality, which was backed up with great skill, making her really easy to work with.

Did the intern achieve their objectives?

The project was completed brilliantly. It was a time constrained piece of work and the intern was working in extraordinary times. She was unable to meet with any of the students in person. She worked with portrait pictures for each student case study and one of her tasks was to consider how these portraits could be displayed in a more innovative and creative way. She came up with the idea of using a selection of different pictures to create a new image which combined all the elements. This was achieved through the use of the CANVA design software, which was used to collate and produce the booklet.

Our interns gain an experience of working in a social enterprise and what this means, as well as what makes them who they are. And in return, they bring a high level of skill into the organisation.

Was the internship beneficial to your company?

Without access to this funded internship, we would probably have had to outsource this piece of work. Although we have the skills present within the team, we did not have the capacity to dedicate to this piece of work. As a result, this project has been of real value to the organisation.

The delivery of the student internship with the University of Exeter was an extremely positive experience. We felt that we were fully supported through the whole process by Jo (in the Career Zone) and her team. It was a very beneficial placement and the internship provided real pleasure to everyone involved, as well has having been of benefit as a skills exchange.

Quote from the Intern:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SSE Cornwall and believe that it has made me a more well-rounded and adaptable employee. I have truly learnt the meaning of “making the best of a bad situation”, as I have seen first-hand how small business owners have had to adjust and triumph in the face of adversity (Covid19). Moreover, SSE themselves – and the fantastic team – had to move all their teaching and resources online and have remained just as successful and engaging as ever, even introducing a new Women’s Enterprise programme despite the pandemic.”

School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall- Student Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs Internship

Understandably, many of us only have negative connotations of 2020. It has become the year of devastation, cancellations, and unprecedented times. However, what could have been the most depressing summer of my life turned into a time filled with new experiences as a result of my internship with the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs.

Tell us about yourself. 

I was an English student in my third and final year at the University of Exeter, and I was overwhelmed by the breadth and scale of potential jobs available to me. Whilst teaching, writing, and publishing are the obvious outcomes for an English graduate, I knew that there were other organisations and sectors in which my skillset could prove useful. Moreover, I hope to stay in the South West, so it was vital for me to find out what kind of jobs were available in the Devon and Cornwall area. I found the Career Zone to be incredibly useful as there were more jobs of interest to me than I could have imagined; just knowing that creative organisations existed in the South West was enough for me and it gave me hope that I would find a career.

What did your Internship consist of?

I decided that the best way to get a sense of some of this work going on in Cornwall would be through an internship. Hence, my application for a marketing internship at SSE Cornwall. The 6-week internship (later extended to 7 weeks) began in June, just after I had finished my degree. It could not have been timed more perfectly as I was ready for something new. Initially a role based around the creation of the booklet needed for an upcoming SSE student graduation ceremony, the position quickly developed, and I found myself undertaking other administrative responsibilities. I had to deal with a range of people running a variety of fantastic organisations on a day-to-day basis; I put together newsletters and spreadsheets; and I joined in on a few classes (via zoom!) so that I could get a sense of the work that goes on at SSE.

It was truly inspiring to speak to the current cohort and learn about how their ideas had grown into fully fledged enterprises with a social purpose and meaning. It made me proud and excited to live in Cornwall and introduced me to a wonderful sector – and community – that I otherwise would not have encountered.

After the chaos and uncertainty of this year, it was important that we highlighted the adaptations and changes that these people – and their businesses – had undergone; we included statements from each student in the booklet about how the pandemic had affected their enterprise and I went on to write a blog that captured some of these businesses and the hardships they had faced. It was a very proud moment to see my writing on the SSE website and made me really feel as though I had become part of the team.

Did you enjoy your internship, what did you learn?

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SSE Cornwall and believe that it has made me a more well-rounded and adaptable employee. I have truly learnt the meaning of “making the best of a bad situation”, as I have seen first-hand how small business owners have had to adjust and triumph in the face of adversity. Moreover, SSE themselves – and the fantastic team – had to move all their teaching and resources online and have remained just as successful and engaging as ever, even introducing a new Women’s Enterprise programme despite the pandemic.

I learnt how to engage with a range of people (remotely of course!); I listened to emotive stories with empathy and discussed vulnerable topics with understanding; I thought creatively in a time of crisis; and – perhaps most importantly – I had to discipline myself and generate a home-work routine that was efficient and successful. I am confident that all the skills above will contribute to making my job search that bit easier in the future.

Would you recommend doing an internship, and why?

I cannot recommend doing an internship enough. It gave me fantastic insight that I just would not have been able to experience otherwise, and it taught me that the most sufficient means of learning is through doing, meeting people, and thinking creatively. Internships are ideal as you can work with a deadline in mind. Whether you discover that you hate the industry and want to move on to something else, or you find that you have found the job for you and thus know how long you have to make the most of the opportunity, 4-6 week internships are a fantastic investment of your time and energy. You can build a network of contacts and make connections that can lead to future employment. Moreover, you will stand out to employers as you have gone the extra mile to learn about the various employment options available to you.

Make It Marketing – Marketing and Events Assistant

Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Hospitality and Event Management, Student Business Partnership (SBP)

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

I was involved with event planning and organising, for example I was given the task to find sponsors for the fashion show we were organising. I also assisted at some event on site, ensuring that the guests are having a great time and that the event runs smoothly. For example, my task was to make sure models are wearing the right outfit and that all guests received their gifts. I was also involved with social media, designing and copywriting social media posts were also among my daily tasks.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

I assisted to many successful event and I took a big part in keeping our guests satisfied at the events we organised.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I believe I helped Make It Marketing with my design skills when I was working on social media posts. Besides, I also tried my best to keep our guests satisfied, which clearly has a direct positive effect on the company.

Web Wise Media – Front End Web Developer

Computer Science, Information Technology, Student Business Partnership (SBP)

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

My main responsibilities included developing and maintaining web sites for our customers – mainly using WordPress and Shopify. Also, I was responsible for responding to customers’ queries and to provide solutions to them where needed.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

I always wanted to improve my web design/development skills and this internship was a perfect way to just do that. Not only that, but I learned how to code efficiently and in a timely manner – without getting caught up in minor details. Since we had a lot of customers and a lot of small tasks, I couldn’t afford to spend hours on just one task as I would for my coursework. It really helped me a lot to learn and experience the practical side of web development.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

During the first months of my internship, I helped my lightening the workload of everyone in the team. As the time passed, I got involved in more and more projects and soon became one of the ‘longest standing’ people on my team who had a flexible approach and who could complete tasks with minimal supervision.

3CUBED Search – Executive Search Consultant

Administration, Business and Management, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training, Information Technology, Science, Student Business Partnership (SBP)

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

  • Headhunting
  • Interviewing and pairing the right people, personalities and skills sets to fantastic job opportunities across the globe
  • Screening candidates and drawing up shortlists of candidates for clients to interview
  • Organising interviews both phone and face to face
  • Helping applicants to prepare for interviews
  • Building relationships and rapport with clients and candidates.
  • Negotiating offers and contracts

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

I have had to teach myself a lot of about backend development, full stack development and the programming languages associated with Senior Engineers. Having not come from a technical/comp sci background I would have never learnt this in a classroom. In addition, I have learnt how to evaluate the skill level and quality of experience of a person through just an initial phone conversation.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

My internship lighted the workload of the rest of my colleagues and I brought in a new pool of very talented Senior Engineers & Backend Developers in the UK and US. I also have a few candidates in their final stages of receiving offers which would increase my company’s profit.

Devon Development Education (Exeter) – Global Learning Resources

Education, Teaching and Research, Language and Translation, Modern Languages, Student Business Partnership (SBP)

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

My main responsibility was to promote the Spanish teaching resource “Hola Peru” at different schools across Devon. I met with teachers on a weekly basis to provide and explain to them how to use this resource. After covering the Devon county, I publicised our resource on other platforms and started to send it to different teachers across the whole country. I held Skype/FaceTime sessions with these teachers.

Apart from promoting Hola Peru, I have also helped the organisation with a wide array of activities. These include: managing Fair Trade events; giving presentations; setting a database of the schools which teach Spanish in Devon; and helping colleagues with their programmes among other duties.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking in English and gave me the confidence to work in a British workplace.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

Thanks to my work, they achieved to give 20 copies of Hola Peru and benefitted from my help to running of their activities more smooth.

Content Writer – Click Hub

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, English, Media, Publishing and Journalism, Student Business Partnership (SBP),

clickhub

What were your main duties and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

Over the years I learned a great deal, not just about digital marketing but about a whole range of industries as I was relied upon to write regular content and website copy for miscellaneous clients. From web designers to interior designers, builders, dentists, and accountants – you name the industry, I probably wrote a blog about it. I had the opportunity to learn more about digital marketing. I became more interested in the workings behind SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), and watching our clients progress up the Google rankings, and I took my Adwords exam to become Google certified.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

Half way through my final year of study, the Company Director offered me a full-time position commencing after graduation. For me, not only was my internship a fantastic opportunity to apply my academic abilities in a professional environment, build my confidence and develop my employability skills, but without the internship I probably wouldn’t have ended up working for the company after I graduated too.

 

Did you encounter any problems during the course of your internship and if so, how did you overcome them?

It was a role that taught me to be flexible as well as hugely self-motivated since much of the work was carried out at home.  When I began my full-time position as Marketing Executive I was thrown in at the deep and expected to stay afloat because an SME won’t have the same resources as a larger firm when it comes to training. This has the potential to feel overwhelming but it also allows you to develop in other ways. What’s more, you’re in a company you know has invested in you because, over the course of your internship, they got to know you and saw value in you.

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