Category Archives: Degree subject

Employer Case Study: Borneo Nature Foundation

Access to Internships (A2I), Biosciences, Conservation Biology, Ecology, Employer Feedback, Science, , , ,

Name of Organisation: Borneo Nature Foundation 

Description of Organisation:  The Borneo Nature Foundation is a research and conservation organisation which works to protect Borneo’s unique and diverse rainforest habitats and wildlife, notably the critically endangered orangutan. BNF achieves this through programmes of research, advocacy, restoration, education and capacity building, and empowering community-led conservation initiatives to protect habitat. 

Name of Employer: Helen Morrogh-Bernard 

Job Title: Director 

Internship Scheme used:  

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

Feedback: 

“I had a very positive experience having an intern. She was very willing to do what we asked, and I was very happy with what she did. The process to get the intern was straight forward and easy.” 

Student Case Study: That’s Show Business

Computer Science, Student Business Partnership (SBP),

Name of Student:  Vidip Khttar 

Degree Subject: BSc Computer Science 

Job Title: AI Prototype Web Developer Intern for Tech Startup 

Company Name: That’s Show Business

Description of Organisation:  

The ineffective current forms of copyright protection to protect media content in online platforms are of major concern to the creative industry. That’s Show Business’s goal is to support and safeguard Creatives with their promotion, copyright, collaboration, and recognition by raising their creative profile to find the aspiring stars of the future, break down the barriers to entry to the underrepresented Creative by providing the power of online communities. 

Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

To develop Machine learning algorithms to analyse user interactions as well as develop a testing database to hold all of this data. Generated a report on my work. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

Learning and using a difficult software that I had previously never used before to generate fake user training data. It required process that I didn’t understand at all at first but quickly was able to learn and effectively use it. 

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure 
  • Organisation 
  • Strategic Planning 
  • Decision Making  
  • Communication 
  • Teamwork and Collaboration 
  • Focus on Goals and Outcomes 
  • Researching 

Attributes Developed: 

  • Confidence 
  • Initiative 
  • Motivation 
  • Independence 
  • Work Ethic 
  • Professionalism 

 

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

“This internship gave me great insight into working in a start-up organisation instead of a large corporation. I met and learned from everyone in the company which taught me many skills. Working in the start-up also gave me a sense of responsibility since my work was essential to the software the company was developing. It was an enriching experience and will allow me to work better with a team moving forward. “

 

Employer Case Study: Seasons Ecology

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

Free Woman in Green Crew Neck T-shirt Planting Stock Photo

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.” 

Student Case Study: APIsfirst

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

people sitting on chair in front of computer monitor

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. “ 

 

Employer Case Study: Envirotech R & D Ltd

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

Name of Organisation: 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.   

Name of Employer: Sharon Morgan 

Job Title: Director 

Internship Scheme used: 

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

Feedback: 

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

We will be sending through results of our trials and a full-written report on the objectives set to our Intern at the end of the project.” 

Student Quote – Link to Case Study

“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. “

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. “

Student Case Study: Frazer-Nash Consultancy

Access to Internships (A2I), Access to Internships - WP, Engineering, Internship Schemes, Physics and Astronomy, ,

Free Photo Of Female Engineer Working On Her Workspace Stock Photo

Name of Student:  Amelia Toghill 

Degree Subject:  Physics  

Job Title: Freethinker & Problem Solver Engineer Summer Intern 

Company Name:  Frazer-Nash Consultancy 

Description of Organisation:  

Frazer-Nash is a leading systems, engineering and technology company. They help organisations deliver innovative engineering and technology solutions to make lives safe, secure, sustainable, and affordable. With over 1000 employees, they work from a network of nine UK and four Australian locations. 

Type of Internship:   

Access to Internships (A2I)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

I worked on two projects, one was to test the code written to model patient flow for a hospital, and the other was a private venture to write a code to optimize a device for nuclear fusion. I had to work to a high standard to meet deadlines. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

My biggest achievement was producing a piece of code that included techniques that I wasn’t familiar with and writing a report to summarise my findings. 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

My biggest challenge was moving from general physics at university to engineering in industry and learning how to apply transferable skills to industry specific tasks. I overcame this by talking to other colleagues and having practice over time. 

Skills Learnt:  

  • Organisation 
  • Decision Making 
  • Communication 
  • Time and workload management 
  • Problem solving 
  • Degree Specific – report writing, copy writing 

 Attributes Developed: 

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

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

“Over the past 3 months of summer, I worked as a freethinker and problem solver summer intern at Frazer-Nash Consultancy. During my internship, I gained valuable experience of working as an engineer in industry. This taught me technical and transferable skills that I couldn’t have learnt otherwise, and I believe that this was an amazing opportunity. I really enjoyed my time there and can’t wait to return as a Graduate Engineer next year. “

Employer Quote: 

“Amelia was great to work with, had a fantastic attitude towards the work she was set and asked questions where she didn’t understand. We have provided her with an offer of a full-time position once she has completed her degree. “