• I wanted a break from formal studies

• I wanted to earn money for a year

• I thought it would improve my graduate prospects

• I wanted to develop on-the-job skills to help the rest of my degree

• I wanted to put my skills I had already learnt into day-to-day use

Using other recruitment resources (e.g. RateMyPlacement, Gradcracker, Milkround, TargetJobs)

Probably the proudest standalone achievement for me this year was back in September when some of the other interns and I, gave our thoughts and suggestions on Access for All, which was all about better access for disabled people on to public transport. We had undertaken research and then gave a presentation to some of the executive team and ex-Paralympian, Barrenness Tanni Grey Thompson. It is still the highest profile presentation I have taken part in to date.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this year was learning about what it meant to be out of student land and in the real world, working in industry. Learning about what goes on day to day, all the processes and jobs I never even considered until this year. All this information has really helped me realise what I might want to do after university.

• A greater awareness of which sector you want to work in

• Developed technical skills

• Developed professional skills

• A wider professional network

• Increased motivation for your studies

• Friends through your workplace/ other Placement students

• Awareness of the roles I do/do not want to do in the future

• Experience of living somewhere different

Elliot has made a significant contribution, both in the day to day work of the research team, and further afield on topics across the business including mental wellbeing and the environment. Beyond the research team, he has worked as a STEM ambassador, become a wellbeing champion for the R&D department and worked with other interns on a project to develop ideas to improve accessibility on the railway. 

Never be afraid to ask, whether it’s help, advice or permission. New interns can probably do more than they think they can do, but at the same time they aren’t meant to know everything. A manager would much rather an intern come to them for help and get the issue fixed instead of them struggling with it all day.