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

My primary duty was ensuring that accurate information regarding the Welfare Reform Act was made available to tenants both through the charity’s website and directly through letters and emails. In addition to this, I was charged with ensuring that the payment software was running accurately and to design a system by which failed payments and inaccuracies would be automatically flagged up. In tandem with this, I made sure social housing tenants were aware of their account standing and to encourage them to seek financial assistance, both from the charity and the local council if necessary.

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

Networking with members of all levels of the business from the receptionist to the CEO offered a fantastic insight into the inner working of the company and addressed any preconceptions held before interning there.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

Through timely delivery and completion of my main duties (listed above) I was able to reduce the work load experienced by the team in which I worked. Through doing this they were able to engage in pro-active work and tackle the issue of arrears and in so doing, prevent tenants from sliding further into debt.

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

The ethical quandry of evicting social housing tenants was particularly difficult to reconcile myself with. Attending court for this process, observing dejected, desperate tenants, was emotionally taxing.

“I found Jonathan to be enthusiastic, self motivated and innovative. Jonathan worked well with the team he was in, he was popular and well liked.  I appreciate the help Jonathan gave me and the team and would welcome him back anytime.” – Income Manager, Watford Community Housing Trust