Tag Archives: Cornwall

Student Case Study: University of Exeter

Degree subject, Geography, Information Technology, Internship Schemes, Sector, Student Campus Partnership (SCP), , , , ,

Name of Student:  Jude Ratnayake

Degree Subject: BA Geography

Job Title: SCP 5698 Global Systems Institute

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship: Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs)  

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

Developing an academic master database that characterised and processed a variety of key academic publications (written by members of the Global Systems Institute) according to their relevance with the Sustainable Development Goals. Reviewing academic publications and identifying key words that would be useful for readers. Reviewing academic publications and identifying specific geographical locations they related to.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?  

I produced an extensive master database comprised of 458 individual publications from 73 Global Systems Institute (GSI) academics covering a range of different disciplinary fields. The database can be used for the GSI Website to highlight the relevance of the University of Exeter’s research (GSI) to the global Sustainable Development Goals. The database can also be used for the GSI Website to highlight how the University of Exeter’s research (GSI) engages with a diverse range of geographical locations on an international/global scale. The database can also be used for the GSI Website to allow readers to better navigate and identify academic publications that are of interest to them using the keywords tool.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

My biggest achievement was the successful completion of the internship’s final end-product: GSI Master Database. Throughout the month-long internship period, I consistently worked full-time on developing this database (a total of three versions) ensuring I used my critical analysis and research skills to collate various academic publications via a digital database that provided useful information regarding the specific SDGs, specific geographical locations and specific keywords the publications related to. As a result, an extensive master database can be used for the development/advancement of the GSI website. Additionally, the internship gave me a stronger grasp and understanding of the globally significant SDGs.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

I did not find any specific challenges whilst working on this internship. This was because I remained in regular contact with my line manager who helped clarify any issues could have been encountered, for example, what to do when limited information was available for a particular publication/academic.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Focus on Goals and Outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning

Attributes Developed:

  • Logical thinking
  • Perseverance
  • Personal Awareness
  • Independence
  • Work Ethic

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

“This internship experience was extremely rewarding for me. I was able to expand my knowledge and engagement with the global SDGs and I was able to develop my digital communication and research skills (critical analysis) whilst creating this master database for the GSI. I demonstrated my self-sufficiency in a remote working environment whilst also maintaining effective communication skills with my line manager that led to the successful delivery of the master database which can inform the GSI’s future website development.”

 

Student Case Study: University of Exeter

Degree subject, Education, Teaching and Research, Internship Schemes, Psychology, Sector, Student Campus Partnership (SCP), , , , ,

Name of Student:  Anda Solea

Degree Subject: MSC Social & Organisational Psychology

Job Title: SCP Research Intern in Social Psychology

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship: Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs)  

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

Write articles, create surveys, recruit participants, analyse data, report data, write the methods section, write open science framework documents, have weekly meetings and give my feedback on previous work

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

Outputs=collected & analysed data, wrote reports and journal article sections, wrote and designed articles, created and edited surveys.

Ouctomes= did 2 studies(double the amount we expected), created documents for publication in a journal, I will be a co-author of the paper, advanced knowledge on the topic  

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

While working as a psychology research intern I has to design a study from start to finish. I worked weekly, in collaboration and alone. I learnt how to use new software and improved my research skills. As a result we managed to create, run and publish two studies and my supervisor was very happy with my work.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

I didn’t know how to run certain statistical tests. I asked my co-worker for advice and then researched the tests on the internet and in the end I learnt how to do them and overcame the challenge.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Problem Solving
  • Communication
  • IT
  • Degree Specific

Attributes Developed:

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

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

“I have achieved a lot during this internship. I have bettered my research skills and learnt a lot about what goes behind “real” research. This was particularly helpful for me as I am starting my PhD in October and I plan to stay in academia and work in research and thus this intership has been a hard start for my career.”

 

Student Case Study: University of Exeter

Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Graduate Business Partnership (GBP), Internship Schemes, Sector, , , , ,

Name of Student:  Lindsay Warner

Job Title: GBP 5310 Programme Assistant

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship: Graduate Business Partnership (GBP)

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

Managing the relationship with partner students and overseeing their onboarding process as they participated in Challenges Online. Helped to manage a team of student reps, who helped deliver the Challenges Online programme. Provided administrative, technical and communications support to assist in the overall delivery of Challenges Online. Provided support across the wider Programme and SED team. Support interested students in continuing their projects after Challenges Online week ends.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?  

Outputs: promotional events; Challenges Online; promotional copy, e.g. website, sways; timetables; social media campaign; podcast episodes; feedback and evaluation reports.

Outcomes: 94% overall student satisfaction rate on Challenges Online, 100% student satisfaction rate from Leiden partner students and received an Above and Beyond Award from my colleague for collaboration with partner students

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

As part of my GBP role, I was involved in the overall delivery of Challenges Online. Challenges Online is an employability programme, in which students work in small teams to create a project across a week-long period, and this project aims to tackle a sustainability problem of their choosing (which is aligned with one of our Challenges that year). A key part of my position was liaising with our strategic partners in order to arrange and onboard partner students onto the Challenges Online programme. This involved collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders, e.g. the Assistant Director for Education Abroad at the University of South Florida, and Clare Crick at the University of Exeter, who in turn managed the relationship with the University of Leiden. I had regular meetings and emails with these stakeholders in order to keep them fully informed about students’ progress with us, and so that we could adapt our approach with any feedback they provided. I also managed all email marketing to partner students, and was involved with setting them up with Exeter IT accounts so that they could participate in the programme. I am pleased to report that Leiden students had a 100% satisfaction rate on the programme, and Clare was kind enough to award me an Above and Beyond Award for my collaboration in this area. These outcomes were a big achievement for me because this experience was crucial to developing my relationship management skills, my IT skills and my marketing skills, and it was great to see the positive impact of my work for students.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Assessing and Managing Risk
  • Organisation
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning
  • Networking

Attributes Developed:

  • Logical thinking
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Independence
  • Work Ethic
  • Professionalism

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

“I have had a fantastic experience on my GBP internship! Both Simon and Anka have been nothing but supportive throughout my time with the Programme team, and I have learned a lot whilst working alongside them. The dynamic of the team meant that I had agency and independence in any tasks that I was set, but I could also reach out for support if I needed it. I had weekly catch ups with the team, which was a nice way to catch up with each other as we worked remotely, while also ensuring that we stayed on top of our busy to do lists!”

Student Case Study: University of Exeter

Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Degree subject, History, Internship Schemes, Sector, Student Campus Partnership (SCP), , , , ,

Name of Student:  Stephen Finlayson

Degree Subject: BA History with Study Abroad

Job Title: SCP 5309 Challenges Online Rep

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship: Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs)  

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

Helping with the administration and organisation of the Challenges Online programme.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?  

Produced an effective social media campaign, promotional videos, and spreadsheets to help organise students in different groups. Also help to administer the programme in June.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

Biggest achievement was the social media campaign and promotional materials that I produced.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Negotiation
  • Problem Solving
  • Leadership

Attributes Developed:

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

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

“My internship with Challenges Online provided me with a rewarding experience of working with other students to support independent group projects. The experience taught me the values of teamwork and problem-solving.”

Student Case Study: The Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre

Degree subject, Education, Teaching and Research, Internship Schemes, Science, Sector, Sport and Health Sciences, Student Campus Partnership (SCP), , , , ,

Name of Student:  Izzy Bradshaw

Degree Subject: BSc Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences

Job Title: Research Intern

Company Name:  The Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre

Description of Company: The Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre initiates research in paediatric exercise science to enhance our understanding of exercise, physical activity and sport that determines health and well-being. We are interested in optimising exercise, physical activity, and sport across a range of different paediatric groups, including healthy school aged children, children with chronic diseases and talented young athletes.

Type of Internship: Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs)  

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

Developing testing protocol for the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme athlete profiling days. Developing infographics to be given to athletes on the YTP.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?  

Outputs= a presentation enclosing all testings to be used on the profiling days.

Outcomes= a battery of tests has been produced ad confirmed.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Problem Solving
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Persuasion
  • Researching
  • Time and Work Load Management

Attributes Developed:

  • Logical thinking
  • Confidence
  • Initiative
  • Independence

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

“Throughout June, I was fortunate enough to complete at 4-week internship at the Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC), in partnership with England Athletics. Over the 4 weeks, I worked alongside another intern developing testing protocols for the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme (YTP) athlete profiling days. The battery of tests developed will be used to aid the athlete selection process. I am grateful to have worked on such an exciting project and I am wishing the best of luck to all young athletes applying to he YTP. The 4-week internship also involved the production of infographics that will be given to athletes enrolling on the YTP. The infographics covered social media use, time management and communication within the YTP. I thoroughly enjoyed my 4 weeks working with the CHERC group and England Athletics and I am looking forward to assisting on the athlete profiling days in September!”

Student Case Study: University of Exeter

Animal Care, Degree subject, Education, Teaching and Research, Internship Schemes, Law, Sector, Student Campus Partnership (SCP), , , , ,

Name of Student:  Amelia Southern

Degree Subject: LLB Law

Job Title: Animal Behaviour Intern

Company Name: University of Exeter

Type of Internship: Student Campus Partnerships (SCPs) 

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

To assist with masters’ students’ research.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?  

Helped collect data and analysed videos for the publication of a master’s student’s project.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

There was a situation where the video analysis software was not showing consistent measurements. To overcome this, I tried to find alternative video analysis software. As a result, we found a better software that we used for the duration of the project.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

To begin some of the equipment we were using did not stay in place so we found alternative ways to fix the equipment so that it would not move.

Skills Learnt: 

  • IT
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Problem Solving

Attributes Developed:

  • Confidence
  • Perseverance
  • Motivation
  • Creative thinking
  • Independence

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

“I thoroughly enjoyed my internship and felt that I learnt a lot from the experience. From day one I was assisting with data collection and helping with data analysis. I enjoyed participating in the project throughout and found it exciting so see all the developments taking place. I really enjoyed being part of the research team and learning new skills such as video analysis.”

Employer Case Study – Harbour Housing (Cosgarne Hall Ltd)

Access to Internships (A2I), Access to Internships - SAN, Charity and Development Work, Employer Feedback, Graduate Business Partnership (GBP), Internship Schemes, Real Estate and Property, , , , , ,

Name of Organisation: Harbour Housing (Cosgarne Hall Ltd)

Description of Organisation: Harbour Housing provides accommodation and support for homeless and vulnerable people across Cornwall. We house a variety of people and our aim is to provide tailored support in order to help them to eventually live independently. People stay with us for up to and sometimes over two years in order that they have the chance to really turn their lives around at a pace appropriate to them, often moving through our different properties which offer increasing independence until they are ready to move on.

Name of Employer: Emily Hill

Job Title: Communications Manager

Internship Scheme used:

Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) , Access to Internships (A2I) 

Feedback:

“Our intern became responsible for our social media accounts and oversaw a vast increase in our following and engagement across these channels, including a 37% increase of our Twitter following and a 72% increase on Instagram. She also developed relationships with the press and was responsible for various stories being covered in print and digital media, including appearing herself on BBC Spotlight to represent the organisation. This helped to raise awareness for the charity and established us as a key player in the sector. She also gave presentations to local community groups which resulted in the development and improvement of stakeholder relationships which are really key to the successful operation of the charity.

Our intern helped to coordinate a response through the local media that helped to combat this and safeguard the reputation of the charity. The pandemic was also an unanticipated element to the internship and she responded well through being adaptable and flexible in her approach, taking on different roles where necessary including working on reports for commissioners and funding applications. The GBP also adapted her role during the lockdown period to support with efficient internal communication of information and coordinating a video for our Crowdfunder appeal that raised £1,000.

Our intern proved to be a huge asset to the organisation, creating engaging content for our social media channels and helping us to develop our relationships with the community as well as key stakeholders such as commissioners and members of local government. She excelled at liaising successfully with the press and developing innovative strategies to promote the work done by the charity, including establishing her own projects and seeking out stories internally. She has integrated positively within the organisation, made a lasting difference to the charity’s image and we are glad that she has accepted a full-time role with us which we offered her off the back of her internship.”

Employer Case Study: Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Access to Internships (A2I), Animal Care, Biosciences, Charity and Development Work, Employer Feedback, Environmental Work, Internship Schemes, Sector, , ,

Name of Organisation: Cornwall Wildlife Trust

Description of Organisation:

Cornwall Wildlife Trust is one of 46 Wildlife Trusts working across the UK. With the invaluable support of our volunteers, members and corporate supporters we manage over 50 nature reserves, including an island for wildlife and people in Cornwall. We also work with other organisations and landowners to protect and connect wildlife sites across the county and inspire local communities and young people to care for wildlife where they live.

We want to create safe havens in which wildlife can thrive and from which it can spread. We need to inspire people to love and care for the natural environment, and enable more people to experience, enjoy and understand it. We are a charity and rely on membership, legacy gifts and donations from our supporters and on the efforts of our 300 regular volunteers to help us make Cornwall wilder. Our vision is to bring about a Nature Recovery Network to bring back Cornwall’s wildlife.

Name of Employer: Abigail Crosby

Job Title: Marine Conservation Officer

Internship Scheme used: Access to Internships (A2I)

Feedback:

“Our intern became an extremely valued member of the team, as she efficiently carried out her duties within the Marine Stranding’s Network project. As a result of her work, the project now has a well-recognized and highly followed social media presence including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

She also played a key role in the production of our annual 2019 MSN report. She helped process thousands of MSN records. The student created several monthly Mailchimp newsletters to help communicate with our network of trained volunteers. I also really appreciated the intern assisting me with the training days, it was a massive help. A huge thank you to our intern for her fantastic work.

I would highly recommend the internship schemes The University of Exeter has to offer. The process was fairly effortless and for little administration we were able to support a fantastic student who carried out some incredibly useful work for the Trust. She was a brilliant support to the team, and we are very grateful for her time.”

Student Case Study – Bioregional  

Access to Internships (A2I), Charity and Development Work, Degree subject, Environmental Work, Geography, Internship Schemes, Sector, , , , ,

Name of Student:  Lauren Allington

Degree Subject: BA Geography with European Study

Type of Internship: Access to Internships (A2I)

Company Name: Bioregional

Job Title: One Planet Living Intern

Description Of Company: Bioregional was founded as a charity and social enterprise in 1994 by Sue Riddlestone and Pooran Desai, two environmental entrepreneurs based in South London. We provide a range of sustainability consultancy services that make it easier for people to live sustainable lives within the planet’s boundaries by helping major developers create pioneering eco-communities and supporting businesses, including retailers, to create sustainable products and services.

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

My key role was to support the One Planet Living team in developing a series of online resources available for Bioregional staff and Local Authorities regarding sustainability actions and initiatives across the world. I was also available to assist with wider research and admin projects, as well as contribute to discussions regarding the inclusivity of sustainability.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

I produced six complete case studies covering a range of sustainability actions (zero carbon, zero waste, materials and products), a library of 38 case study summaries. These will be added to and used by Bioregional in a series of seminars and will later be available for Local Authorities to use. I also summarised a selection of these case studies in a blog post published on the organisations website. I also produced a research document about sustainability schemes in schools and catalogued the One Planet Living mailing list.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

I was asked to summarize my most important findings in a blog post to be published on the organisations website. I approached this task by reviewing the research I had already done, long listing and then shortlisting the case studies based on the brief for the blog. I then crafted a blog post by summarizing the case studies, highlighting the main features and providing context, as well as writing in the ‘voice’ of the organisation. The final blog post was reviewed by the communications team, who asked me to reduce the word count, which I did successfully. The final post was proofread and adapted by the comms team before being posted online with credit given to me. The post was also advertised on LinkedIn, receiving multiple positive comments and likes.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

I initially struggled to always find the most accurate information for the case studies. I overcame this by reading more technical and policy-based documents, as well as undertaking active research by contacting organisations directly to find out the appropriate information.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Decision Making
  • Researching
  • Time and Work Load Management

Attributes Developed:

  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Professionalism
  • Confidence
  • Motivation

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

“The A2I scheme enabled me to do a really interesting, meaningful and educational internship at a fantastic organisation that would have otherwise been unable to welcome me. I am really happy with the time I spent at Bioregional, especially with the work I produced and the opportunities to speak to professionals.”

Student Case Study – OverAir 

Access to Internships (A2I), Degree subject, English, Information Technology, Internship Schemes, Sector, , , , ,

Name of Student:  Brittany Willis

Degree Subject: BA English

Type of Internship: Access to Internships (A2I)

Company Name: OverAir

Job Title: Marketing Co-ordinator

Description Of Company: OverAir works exclusively with Apple products, we are also certified Mac Technicians, meaning we use Apple diagnostics and Apple parts where needed. We specialise in helping businesses, schools, and individuals with all things technical, including; troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and general advice. With Apple certified experience across the entire product range, you’re in the safest of hands.

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

I was first in charge of building their social media presence, mainly on Facebook and Instagram, as well as designing and organising the company van to get wrapped. Recently, I have helped to organise and promote their first giveaway and going forward, I am designing and organising new signage for their new offices, as well as maintaining their social media presence.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

I produced a social media campaign that focused on their giveaway. This gave me further insight into using social media for a business. I also designed their van wrapping, being introduced to new design platforms.  

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

I organised the giveaway of a new iPad. This involved promoting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, working with a budget in order to maximise social media campaigns as well as organising, copy-writing and sending out their first email to their customer list of over 900 people. This resulted in over 400 entries to the giveaway and over 5 thousand engagements on Facebook.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

My first initial task was to design and organise the van sticker and wrapping. This involved visiting a business partner of his in Torquay, who is a designer. While we ended up with a great design, I found it challenging working with the company who were to translate our design onto the van. Eventually, I researched other companies and I am currently working with a different person to translate my design onto the van. I have already received more and better communication with this company.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Decision Making
  • Researching
  • Time and Work Load Management

Attributes Developed:

  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Professionalism
  • Confidence
  • Motivation

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

“My internship gave me insight into a small, independent business. The manager worked closely with me, giving me insight and opportunities to learn about his business, social media marketing and I even visited a designer in Torquay to learn about new design tools. The internship was very relaxed and flexible and I am happy to say it has been extended for another term.”