Name of Student: Lucy
Job Title: Research Field Assistant
Description of Organisation:
The Centre for Ecology and Conservation (CEC) at the University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall is a world-leading hub for research and education in ecology, conservation, evolution, zoology, behaviour, microbiology and marine science.
What was your biggest achievement on your internship?
After spending time shadowing my line manager, I was trusted to handle eggs, chicks and adult birds. It was a huge confidence boost to be trusted with the most precious element of the research, which involved animal handling. This was in addition to my main duties.
Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?
Pacing myself was my most notable challenge as the physical work was hard going and I needed time to recover. To overcome this challenge I needed to be brutally honest with myself and then my line manager in order to meet my commitments throughout the whole field season. By reducing my work to 1 day per week, I was able to sustain my internship from April – June.
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.
During the internship.
- I received learning and development opportunities which could be helpful for my career (e.g., online courses or mentoring).
- I was able to complete the tasks assigned to me.
- I received regular feedback from my line manager.
- I received sufficient training to undertake the role.
- Overall, this internship was a positive experience.
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 future.
- My overall confidence has increased.
Would you recommend this internship scheme to other students?
Yes I would definitely recommend the A2i scheme to other eligible students.
