Name of Student: Nina Cunningham
Job Title: Data Management Support Officer
Company Name: Exeter Clinical Trials Unit – University of Exeter
Description of Organisation:
The Exeter Clinical Trials Unit (ExeCTU) is a UKCRC-registered academic unit at the University of Exeter, specialising in the design, conduct and analysis of high-quality multi-centre clinical trials and studies. Collaborating with researchers and clinicians, ExeCTU supports the entire trial lifecycles, from refining research questions to study design, funding applications, trial setup and delivery, analysis and dissemination. ExeCTU’s trial portfolio spans a broad range of clinical and health-related areas, including dementia, mental health, diabetes, emergency medicine and COVID-19.
What was your biggest achievement on your internship?
Running a workshop for my colleagues on R programming language.
Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?
The internship was only for a year and I was worried there would not be a job for me after. I worked hard and managed to secure one when an opening became available.
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 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 was able to complete the tasks assigned to me.
- I received regular feedback from my manager/supervisor.
- 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 definitely recommend this internship scheme to other students. It’s a great opportunity for those early in their careers and gave me the chance to explore an area I didn’t know I would enjoy but loved.