Name of Student: Jessica Steer  

Job Title: Assistant Field Intern 

Company Name: Natural England  

Description of Organisation:  

Natural England is here to conserve and enhance the natural environment, for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people and the economic prosperity that it brings. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

Development in specific conservation skills such as plant ID and being able to survey in the field. 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

Learning how to use an entirely new set of tools to undertake research without any guidance, because of there being a knowledge gap in this area at the university. I overcame this by consulting a variety of online resources and by learning ‘on the job’. 

What were your reasons for undertaking this internship?   

  • To gain experience and knowledge within a specific occupation or field. 
  • To build new connections.
  • To improve my job prospects by expanding my CV and what I can draw upon in interviews. 
  • To earn money.
  • To start my career after graduating.

As a result of my internship…

  • I have improved my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
  • My job prospects have improved by expanding my CV and what I can draw upon in interviews.
  • I have developed specific skills that could help me in the future.
  • My overall confidence has increased.

During the internship…

  • I received learning and development opportunities which could be helpful for my career (e.g., online courses, research development or mentoring). 
  • I received regular feedback from my manager/supervisor. 
  • I received regular feedback from my manager/supervisor. 
  • Overall, this internship has been a positive experience.