Category Archives: Sector

Employer Case Study: Seasons Ecology

Ecology, Employer Feedback, Science, Student Business Partnership (SBP), Zoology, , , ,

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Name of Organisation: Seasons Ecology 

Description of Organisation:  

Seasons Ecology is an ecological consultancy established in 2012 and specializes in ecological surveys, impact assessments and mitigation design largely to inform and support planning applications and construction projects.  The company is led by two dedicated ecologists determined to work with clients to facilitate their projects whilst securing the best outcome for nature conservation.   

Name of Employer: Hannah Maben 

Job Title: Director 

Internship Scheme used:  

Student Business Partnership (SBP) |Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter 

Feedback: 

“Bens biggest achievement was gaining hands on experience in ecological surveying and becoming competent in preparing for and undertaking bat activity surveys.” 

“Ben was a pleasure to have. He worked really hard and fit well within the team.” 

Employer Case Study: The University of Exeter

Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Employer Feedback, Graduate Business Partnership (GBP), Hospitality and Event Management, Uncategorized, , ,

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Name of Organisation: University of Exeter 

Description of Organisation:  

At the University of Exeter they want to make the exceptional happen and have a real and lasting  impact on the world around them. They are already firmly at the forefront of universities worldwide and  their ambition is to increase that position, particularly as a Global 100 institution. They challenge them  talented students to achieve more than they ever thought possible and recruit the very best people  from around the world to reach greater heights in research excellence, innovation, and impact. 

Name of Employer: Louise Vennells 

Job Title: Senior Press and Media Manager 

Internship Scheme used:  

The Graduate Business Partnership Scheme (GBP) | Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter 

Feedback: 

“Molly was a highly valued member of the team who calmly orchestrated a number of challenging projects. She was extremely efficient, and routinely delivered beyond expectation, particularly for an intern.” 

“There was no room for improvement – Molly was fantastic.” 

Student Case Study: APIsfirst

Business and Management, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training, Information Technology, Pathways to International Trade (PTIT)

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Student Name: Pranav Annapureddy

Pathway Programme: Pathways to International Trade

Internship Role: International Business Development Analyst

Internship Employer: APIsfirst

Please briefly outline the project/tasks/responsibilities you worked on during your Professional Pathways internship

During my internship, I was responsible for producing a piece of research for an API consulting business. This research investigated trends in hiring practices across API consulting businesses, as well the wider IT industry. This research was presented through a report and a presentation.

How do you think this experience will impact on your employability as you enter the job market as a recent graduate?

This programme has added to my offerings as a job candidate, and I have been able to draw on examples from it during interviews.

Given the Professional Pathways internship is 35 hours in total, what advice would you give to other students to ensure they gain as much as possible from the experience?
I found that the best way to learn from my internship was to ask questions.
What advice would you give to a student who has to complete an internship via remote or hybrid working? Do you have any hints or tips on how to make the most of a remote/hybrid working internship?
To ensure my remote internship ran smoothly, I stayed in close communication with my colleagues, especially my line manager.
Why would you recommend the Professional Pathways programme to other students?
The Professional Pathways programme is a great way to gain an understanding of various industries, through the week-long training programme. The internship is valuable work experience, which develops transferrable skills.

Employer Case Study: The Nest Southwest

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Employer Feedback, Uncategorized, ,

Name of Organisation: The Nest Southwest CIC 

Description of Organisation:  The Nest Southwest is a not-for-profit, social enterprise, community interest company. It was set up in Devon by local women to support other women and girls through the major life transitions of menstruation, pregnancy, birth and menopause by providing social, emotional and informational support.

They hold peer support groups,  run workshops, courses  and hold training sessions. They also hire out birth equipment and books.

Their organisation is mainly volunteer led with three directors, and a team volunteers helping run support groups. Our active groups are a weekly Pregnancy & Wellbeing group and a monthly Homebirth Support group as well as hire of birth pools and equipment. Last year they launched their first menstruation course, training a cohort of volunteers to become ‘Menstruation Transitioneers’ who went into schools and youth groups to work with young people. They want to develop this project this term. They also run a Menopause support group.

Name of Employer:  Hazel Acland 

Job Title: Co-Director 

Internship Scheme used: 

Employer Subsidies – Access to Internships | Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter  

Feedback: 

“It has been great having Yasmeen support our social media. Her eye for detail and research into topics to add to our social media pages has created a lot of useful resources we will continue to refer back to. “ 

 

Student Case Study: Ernest Jackson

Engineering, Manufacturing, Engineering and Processing, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

Degree Subject:  MEng Masters in Mechanical Engineering 

Job Title: Electronic & Mechanical Technician

Company Name:  Ernest Jackson 

Description of Organisation: (if not known, go to job description)  

Ernest Jackson is a Devon-based company with 200 years’ experience and expertise in developing, manufacturing and marketing medicated confectionery and vitamin products. 

Offering a wide range of well-known branded products, as well as a contract manufacturing service, Ernest Jackson has been responsible for some of the nation’s best loved medicated confectionery products and has become one of the UK’s leading medicated confectionery manufacturers. 

Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

One of my main responsibilities included taking on project management for a small improvement project of a manufacturing line. I was involved in handling the project from the start, using the university skills and guidance to see the project to a conclusion. Among other duties to the company and employees, my main responsibilities involved the research, conception, and implementation of the improvement project. I had to meet requirements introduced by the company, complete paperwork and criteria, and deliver strong presentations to ensure leading members and shareholders understood the current state of the project, while making my manager look good. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

Collective research and improvement of the manufacturing line’s product throughout and OEE, providing profit savings and improved understanding of the line for multiple employees at different levels. 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

The project took a U-turn when the research proved to show a different savings benefit from the project from before the internship had started, and therefore a different direction had to be introduced quickly and efficiently to make the most of the short time being employed.
There were many barriers to work that had to be overcome due to the hygiene requirements of the shop floor. Therefore, redesigns were typical as the process engineers detailed issues with concepts provided. 

Skills Learnt:  

  • Organisation
  • Decision Making 
  • Teamwork and collaboration 
  • Time and work load management 
  • Degree Specific- report writing, copy writing
  • Communication 
  • Problem Solving

Attributes Developed: 

  • Logical thinking 
  • Independence 
  • Work Ethic 
  • Professionalism 
  • Confidence 
  • Perseverance 
  • Motivation 

 Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector? 

“It was an extreme confidence booster. From the extra support provided and the experience/advice from both other engineers and shareholders, it was an excellent experience and has shown me that I can apply the skills and knowledge developed in the University to a workplace and adapt to the specific working conditions.
10/10 would have great banter with my manager again.” 

Employer Quote and Link to Case Study  

“Rinzey provided good working ethic, enabling us to understand the considered variables are not as big as we once thought.” 

“Working with Andrea, and the University, has led me to feel this is a positive activity that should be introduced into workplaces more often.” 

Student Case Study: Envirotech R & D Ltd

Biosciences, Science, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Student:  Saskia Hendy 

Degree Subject: Conservation biology and ecology 

Job Title: Research Assistant 

Company Name:  Envirotech R & D Ltd 

Description of Organisation:

Envirotech R & D Ltd is a family business, passionate about the environment and climate change.  Eliminating growing problems faced, such as, coastal erosion, flooding, cliff erosion, converting mining and brownfield sites, and land reclamation, using their technology to grow effectively and quickly. 

Type of Internship: 

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

My key responsibilities were to travel to the Isles of Scilly to observe and assist in the scientific trials that were conducted on coastal erosion. Then to write a scientific report based on the result of the trials. I also conducted extra research for the company in possible areas of development. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

My biggest achievement during the internship was the end scientific report I produced. It was around 3500 words and was described as ‘exceptional’ by the company’s owner. She has also forwarded the report to a few contacts within the environmental and enterprise area to emphasise the company’s success of the trials. I have also personally gained insight into how a start-up company operates and gains momentum, as well as increasing my confidence and leaving my comfort zone by travelling and staying with the company of the Isles of Scilly. 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

There were some challenges during the trial, with the logistics of the Isles of Scilly more complicated than neither me nor the company knew. As well as some other supply issues, however these were overcome with the determination of the company significantly evident. 

Skills Learnt:

  • Researching 
  • Networking 
  • Degree specific – report writing, copy writing.  
  • Strategic Planning
  • Communication 
  • Problem solving 
  • Teamwork and Collaboration    

Attributes Developed: 

  • Logical thinking 
  • Creative thinking 
  • Independence 
  • Work Ethic 
  • Professionalism
  • Confidence 
  • Motivation 
  • Perseverance

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector? 

“Working with a small, start-up environmental company that’s extremely passionate about the environment and making a positive difference in this climate crisis, has been a rewarding experience. I gained valuable experience in the field while also improving my scientific writing and researching skills that will be useful during, and after, my degree. It has opened my eyes to my future post-graduate opportunities and possible jobs in the environmental field. I was able to travel to the Isles of Scilly with the company to complete scientific trials on coastal erosion, an area I am very interested in, and produce significant results that could have a positive effect on the environment.” 

Employer Quote and Link to Case Study 

“A very positive experience, the students that we interviewed were impressive. Good communication from the University and assistance throughout the process.”

Student Case Study: Social Media Coordinator and Analyser

Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Internship Schemes, Student Business Partnership (SBP), Uncategorized, , , ,

Name of Student:  Millie Graves 

Degree Subject: BSc Management with Marketing WIE 

Job Title: Social Media Coordinator and Analyser 

Company Name:  The Nest Southwest CIC 

Description of Organisation:  

The Nest Southwest is a not-for-profit, social enterprise, community interest company. It was set up in Devon by local women to support other women and girls through the major life transitions of menstruation, pregnancy, birth and menopause by providing social, emotional and informational support. 

They hold peer support groups,  run workshops, courses  and hold training sessions. They also hire out birth equipment and books. 

Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

I was responsible for managing The Nest’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) as well as creating an online shop to help generate some revenue for The Nest, and creating downloadable products to be sold on that shop. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

My biggest achievement during my internship was creating an online shop from scratch, alongside creating downloadable products to be sold on the shop. 

Skills Learnt:  

  • Time and work load management 
  • Organisation 
  • Communication  

Attributes Developed: 

  • Confidence 
  • Independence 
  • Motivation 

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector? 

“My internship with The Nest Southwest CIC enabled me to greatly develop my social media management skills, requiring me to plan content, create that content using Canva, and then schedule it using Meta Business Suite. Having had this experience, I now feel much more confident in applying to similar roles. “

Employer Case Study: Ernest Jackson

Employer Feedback, Manufacturing, Engineering and Processing, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , , ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Organisation: Ernest Jackson 

Description of Organisation: Ernest Jackson is a Devon-based company with 200 years’ experience and expertise in developing, manufacturing and marketing medicated confectionery and vitamin products. 

Offering a wide range of well-known branded products, as well as a contract manufacturing service, Ernest Jackson has been responsible for some of the nation’s best loved medicated confectionery products and has become one of the UK’s leading medicated confectionery manufacturers. 

Name of Employer: James Norris 

Job Title: Continuous Improvement Lead 

Internship Scheme used: 

Student Business Partnership (SBP) |Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter 

Feedback: 

“Rinzey provided good working ethic, enabling us to understand the considered variables are not as big as we once thought.” 

“Working with Andrea, and the University, has led me to feel this is a positive activity that should be introduced into workplaces more often.” 

Student Quote – Link to Case Study  

“It was an extreme confidence booster. From the extra support provided and the experience/advice from both other engineers and shareholders, it was an excellent experience and has shown me that I can apply the skills and knowledge developed in the University to a workplace and adapt to the specific working conditions.” 

Employer Case Study: Reeds Solicitors

Access to Internships (A2I), Employer Feedback, Internship Schemes, Law, Law and Legal Services, , , ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Organisation: Reeds Solicitors 

Description of Organisation: Reeds is a successful and progressive firm and has established itself as one of the leading criminal defence and family law practises in the South of England. They have taken time to carefully recruit a team of exceptional police station representatives, paralegals, and solicitors, based not only on their recognised legal knowledge, but also their passion and genuine commitment to achieving the best possible results for our clients. They are a fun and flexible firm with good opportunities for development and career progression. 

Job Title: Office Manager 

Internship Scheme used:  

Employer Subsidies – Access to Internships | Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter  

Feedback: 

“Overall, it was very easy, Isabelle though made that so. She is pleasant, confident and enthusiastic which all goes towards slotting into the workplace smoothly. Four weeks was not long enough but I hope that Isabelle found it useful and informative in regard to her future career choices and perspective of where she might end up. “

Student Case Study: Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC)

Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Law and Legal Services, Student Business Partnership (SBP), ,

Name of Student:  Elizabeth Trunceite 

Degree Subject: LLB Law with European Study 

Job Title: Membership and Marketing Manager 

Company Name:  Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC) 

Description of Organization:  

SBJBC UK is a not-for-profit membership association which works closely with the Department for International Trade and British and Saudi Chambers of Commerce to strengthen business relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia, introduce new companies to the market and support those already on the ground. 

 Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

 What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

Mostly my key duties were events management, marketing initiatives, receptionist duties as well as interacting with clients in promoting the company and gathering new members. I was also involved in securing sponsorships, as well as organizing logistics for sector focused events. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

The biggest personal achievement for me was building a professional rapport and greater confidence in my own abilities. Also, the many projects and opportunities which I was able to get involved in that provided for a variable experience! 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

Working to close deadlines was a challenge which I faced but this was overcome with good teamwork. 

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure 
  • Organization 
  • Communication 
  • Teamwork and collaboration 
  • Customer service 

 Attributes Developed: 

  • Logical thinking 
  • Creative thinking 
  • Independence 
  • Work Ethic 
  • Professionalism 

 Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organization or sector?

“It was a lovely experience with a great team and an inclusive working environment. I worked there for nearly 5 months, and it was a great hands-on internship that taught me so much.”