Category Archives: Charity and Development Work

Communications Assistant – NSPCC

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Charity and Development Work

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

I helped in various projects across all departments of the NSPCC’s communications directorate; Media/PR, Digital, Internal Communications, and Marketing.

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

By the end of my internship I was able to confidently contribute ideas in meetings, which really made me feel like I was a productive member of the team. I found that because I was afforded such a wide insight into the company, that sometimes I was able to answer queries and give guidance on areas which other departments were unsure on.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I was able to carry out tasks that lightened the workload of my colleagues. For example, I assisted on a few research projects, researching and analysing the events, marketing and performance of other charities, in which I was able to put my skills as an English undergraduate to good use. I was also able to contribute my own ideas and approaches, such as our social media strategy for some of the NSPCC’s key events and campaigns.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Problem solving, strategic planning, networking

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, personal awareness, cultural awareness

Social Researcher and Analyst – University of Exeter

Administration, Business and Management, Charity and Development Work, Education, Teaching and Research, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology, Student Campus Partnership (SCP)

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

My main role was to undertake research into volunteer motivations and collect together information to be shared with the team at BWRP. This research would then inform my creating of a volunteer questionnaire which would digitally record the opinions of the volunteers about their experience at BWRP. I was then fully inducted as a volunteer at the project, to gain insight into the structure and possibility for future improvement for the induction. I then undertook a week as a volunteer whereby I undertook tasks such as going on timber collections and helping out in the yard.

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

My biggest achievement was meeting lots of new people in the sustainability field, and gaining lasting contacts and connections with them.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I was able to complete a report on my findings, along with collecting a lot of feedback from volunteers about their experience. This has helped them to make improvements in the future.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Time and workload management, focus on goals and outcomes, research

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Confidence, logical thinking, independence

STEM Outreach Assistant (Female Role Models Scheme) – University of Exeter, Penryn

Administration, Charity and Development Work, Education, Teaching and Research, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology, Student Campus Partnership (SCP)

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

I have been developing current lessons in the box and produce new lessons, and, planning, researching and developing a ‘Green Powered Doll House’ project for big scale events. This project is a brand new project for 2017/18 academic year. I was assisting the line manager at preparing lessons, finding materials and in general and providing a summary report regularly.

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

I have gotten a lot better in communication both verbally and through email. I have also strengthened my project management skills, organisation skills and subject related skills. One of the outcomes that I am most proud of is the launch of the ‘Green Powered Doll House’ at Royal Cornwall Show 2018.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

My line manager mentioned that I have made a big difference in what they can offer through the college in the creation of new and exciting resources which schools can slot easily into their curriculum. It has filled a gap that she didn’t have time to do to such a high quality herself which has really helped the team.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Leadership, organisation, decision making

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Perseverance, logical thinking, creative thinking

Research and Evaluation Assistant – YMCA

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Business and Management, Charity and Development Work, Economics, Education, Teaching and Research, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology

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

My main responsibilities included: interview volunteers about their experience of volunteering, interview project managers about the role and impact of volunteers in their project, shadow staff members in all departments to gain insight into their roles and how they interact with volunteers, design and run a focus group with a small group of clients to ascertain the impact volunteers have on them, transcribe and summarise interviews, produce a report about the findings of the interviews, outline findings, make recommendations for future work, and, present the report to key staff members.

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

My biggest achievement during this internship was gaining confidence in applying ‘classroom knowledge’ to real life problems and situations. I was able to see the project through from start to finish, which has given me confidence in being able to describe hands on experience in interviewing, research and evaluation.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I was able to complete a project that the employer had wanted to carry out for some time (but had previously been unable to), providing research and evidence that has a multitude of uses. They will be able to use these findings to potentially make changes to their volunteering processes, and as evidence in applying for grants.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Problem solving, leadership, IT

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Perseverance, personal awareness, professionalism

Animal Care Assistant – RSPCA

Access to Internships (A2I), Animal Care, Biosciences, Charity and Development Work, Science

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

Monitoring the welfare of all animals in the care of the RSPCA Cornwall branch. This included dogs of many different breeds, cats, and wildlife. I was also responsible for maintaining a high standard of cleanliness in various kennels and cages. I helped to carry out health checks, pre-adoption checks and sat in on vet rounds. I was also involved in enrichment for the animals, which involved walking the dogs and playing with the cats and kittens.

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

I was able to learn what it was really like working in the animal sector, which has really helped me to think about my future career. I feel I became more independent over the course of my internship, finding I was able to take initiative if faced with a problem.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

The staff are stretched very tightly at the moment and I feel I was able to make the hours when I was there less stressful for them. Some days I was responsible for cleaning entire blocks by myself which meant that the member of staff who would usually do this was able to sort out any problems or urgent paperwork.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Ability to work under pressure, organisation, time and workload management

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, independence, work ethic

Data Analyst – Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Exeter

Access to Internships (A2I), Accounting and Auditing, Charity and Development Work, Psychology, Social Guidance and Community Work, Sociology and Criminology,

SCP, SBP, GBP, A2I

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

These included analysing data from their recent wellbeing survey, specifically exploring gender and age differences and summarising my findings in a report.  I also provided recommendations on how to improve the survey. Once this was finished, I helped with research into local estate agents (specifically whether they were adhering to new laws) and trends in Universal Credit claims.

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

Being able to work independently and successfully manage my time.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I helped with research (on estate agents) and provided a comprehensive report of their survey findings.

 

Junior Mental Health Support Worker – South Somerset Mind

Access to Internships (A2I), Charity and Development Work, Health Care, Psychology, Science, Social Guidance and Community Work,

stress

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

My main responsibilities were to develop and deliver mental health well-being workshops across Somerset. This involved teaching service users about different aspects of mental health and providing them with various coping strategies. Within this role I also gave 1-2-1 well-being checks, carried out risk assessments, and provided telephone support and signposting to other agencies. The remainder of my time was spent on data entry: updating notes on services users and compiling data for reports. Additional roles included  designing my own session plan using research from third generation therapies, and creating and teaching mental health lessons in a local secondary school.

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

The experience was totally eye opening, I learnt more than I could ever have imagined! It was brilliant to be able to put my Psychology degree into practice and begin to understand the realities of mental health.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I brought fresh knowledge and ideas to the team, which were utilised. I also lightened my colleagues’ workloads and saved company expenditure.

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

Initially I did not have enough work to keep me busy. I promptly spoke to my line manager and she was able to give me more responsibilities and encouraged me to independently take my ideas forward by designing a new session plan for the well-being groups.

“It was very useful to have Kate. She did a great job and we have now offered her a full role” – CEO, South Somerset Mind.

Economic Development Assistant – Devon County Council

Administration, Charity and Development Work, Geography, Graduate Business Partnership (GBP),

pexels-photo-259165

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

My duties included dealing with business relocation and grant enquiries as well as managing the Business Promotion Grant. In addition, I monitored media, including social media, for local, regional and national news and analysis with inward investment focus. I also attended events with an inward investment/economic focus. I updated the company website by generating content, source news, and case studies. I supported both events and an apprenticeship campaign.

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

Gaining new skills, such as networking.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I lightened the workload for other colleagues by providing support.

 

Fundraising and Administrative Intern – Pump Aid

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Charity and Development Work, Politics and International Relations,

pumpaid

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

I am working as a Fundraising and Administrative Intern for an NGO/Charity called Pump Aid. They work in Malawi with the aim of providing clean water to as many people as possible. They have a base in Malawi, but I am in London working in a small team of about 6 or 7 daily. Because it is such a small charity, I have been very fortunate to be able to see how each aspect of the charity works. I have had meetings with each member of staff from the CEO to the graphic designer, so I feel like I have an incredibly in-depth knowledge of every angle of the organisation.

I have already been put in charge of all of the social media for the charity on a variety of different sites, as well as being responsible for the fundraising reconciliation. This involves using different databases and websites to record every donation that is received.

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

I wrote my dissertation on the link between gender roles and water poverty in Africa, so I am very happy to be putting my degree to use!

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

The director of programmes has already asked for information, and I have put together a report for him based on my research, so hopefully I will be more involved in that side of the organisation more and more.

 

Marine and Freshwater Intern – Zoological Society of London

Access to Internships (A2I), Animal Care, Biosciences, Charity and Development Work, Education, Teaching and Research, Environmental Work, Marine Biology, Science,

marine

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

To support the Marine and Freshwater ZSL team, on the Penryn campus. Projects included literature review on the distribution and species of marine turtles in the Philippines; PET plastic bottles literature review and general support for the #OneLess project; Mangrove and beach forest medicinal properties; Artificial reefs and coral transplantation review for the Philippines.
I also attended a Marine conservation conference at the Penryn campus and a Marine Management Organisation Meeting with the ZSL team during my last week.

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

I learnt and improved essential skills needed to work with an environmental NGO, such as networking, building relationships, organisation, managing work load, communicating with international environmental groups and promoting work via social media. It was great to gain experience within an office based team, instead of out on the field, which is the majority of my experience.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I was able to support ZSL Marine and Freshwater by completing small, but essential pieces of work as well as contributing to larger projects. This lightened the work load for my colleagues in Cornwall, London and the Philippines.