Line Manager Name: Paula Clarke
Job Title: Volunteering & Community Manager
Pathways Programme: Pathways to Marketing programme
Organisation Summary: The National Trust is a national conservation charity founded by volunteers with an aim of providing access to nature, beauty and history, for everyone, for ever. It cares for many special places across Dartmoor including Castle Drogo, Finch Foundry, Lydford Gorge, Parke and many beautiful countryside sites. Across Dartmoor there are close to 100 paid staff and over 200 volunteers who share the stories of these wonderful places with visitors and local communities.
How was your experience of hosting a Pathways intern?
We hosted our intern at Castle Drogo with a mix of days on site and some remote working. This enabled the intern to build confidence using public transport to get to work in a rural location as well as independent working. Having a main point of contact and a clear aim and intended outcome helped to give focus for the internship.
Why would you recommend Professional Pathways to other employers?
Being involved in the Professional Pathways internship enabled us to have a focus on a specific piece of work that had been on our wish list for a long time. The opportunity to research examples outside of our organisation brought fresh insight and the intern gave a perspective we wouldn’t have had without their input.
What advice would you give to a student considering applying for Professional Pathways?
Really consider the project outline for the internship and what experience it will give you. That will help you to be clear on what you hope to get from the experience.