Name of Student:  Elizabeth Hedges

Degree Subject:  BA Philosophy

Job Title: Research Assistant

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship:  Access to Internships (A2I)

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

– checking references in manuscript
– searching through library databases for research
– searching through recently published relevant works

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

I learnt how philosophical research is done, and was able to apply that to help towards a final project. Since I was working with a manuscript, I wasn’t able to produce a final project, but I did create smaller goals that I was able to achieve, such as following lines of research, and finding specific items of evidence for arguments.

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?

When I first started, I had trouble finding relevant information, as I would search though databases, and thousands of texts would come up. I was able to work with the library to practice my research skills, and I am now able to research effectively.

Skills Learnt: 

• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Organisation
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Decision Making

Attributes Developed:

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

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

I worked as a research assistant, for a lecturer I admire, on a piece of work that I found extremely interesting. I was clear that I hope to work as an academic, so I was allowed to experience what this would be like, through the work I was asked to do. I felt supported throughout my internship, and whilst I was working towards various goals, I was allowed to follow my own interests in the topic and develop the skills that I wanted to focus on. I loved working as an intern, and am very excited for the opportunities it has opened for me.