Name of Student: Laura Dicker
Job Title: Research Intern
Company Name: University of Exeter and Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives
Description of Organisation:
Exeter is an excellent place in which to study the Middle Ages. The holdings of Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives include the unique collection of Old English verse, the Exeter Book, and a detailed record of late eleventh-century landholding in the South West, the Exon Domesday.
The archives of the Cathedral and the Devon Heritage Centre contain detailed records of medieval landholdings and towns across Devon and the South West.
The University itself currently holds on loan the late medieval manuscript holdings of Syon Abbey.
What was your biggest achievement during your internship?
I would say the overall learning experience, starting from scratch at a subject I was not familiar with and undertaking learning and applied experience to become confident in the subject and contribute to our blog post on the Centre for Medieval Studies blog.
Were there any challenges during your internship and if so, how did you overcome these?
Decoding the medieval script and handwriting was quite a challenge at first! But with our dedicated sessions on scripture and having print outs to scribble on I gained confidence and was able to read sentences and words.
What were your reasons for undertaking this internship?
- To improve my job prospects by expanding my CV and what I can draw upon in interviews.
- To gain experience and knowledge within a specific occupation or field.
- To earn money.
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 learned more about the skills I need and the options available to me in the future.
- 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 was able to complete the tasks assigned to me.
- I received sufficient training to undertake the role.
- Overall, this internship has been a positive experience.
Would you recommend this internship scheme to other students?
Yes, I would recommend this internship scheme to other students, it was thoroughly enjoyable alongside gaining relevant experience and skills for my future career. Almost a test run if you like for experiencing different job roles. I was sad to see it end, a lovely experience.