Student Name: Sophie
Pathways Programme: Pathways to Arts, Culture and Heritage (2025 Cohort)
Internship Role: Museum Assistant
Internship Employer: Museum of Cornish Life
Summary of Organisation: The Museum of Cornish Life is a fascinating place to work where something different happens each day. The museum houses one of the largest social history collections in the South West, and ranges from archaeological evidence of the earliest settlers to the Lizard Peninsula, to a fully stocked 1950s kitchen to Henry Trengrouse LifeSaving-Apparatus to Flora Day dresses and souvenirs.
Please briefly outline the project/tasks/responsibilities you worked on during your Professional Pathways internship:
“I was tasked with producing a research article about some pieces from the Museum of Cornish Lifeās collection. This was not only posted on their blog but also was used to update museum records.”
How do you think this experience will impact on your employability as you enter the job market as a recent graduate?
“I think this internship will have a large impact on my employability. Finding paid museum experience, especially entry-level experience, is quite hard so having the opportunity to gain this through my internship was fantastic and will definitely help with future applications! The training week also has opened my eyes to new aspects of the sector I would like to explore! The Museum of Cornish Life were very supportive and even offered to host me again in future so my internship was really invaluable in terms of the experience I have gained.”
What achievement(s) were you particularly proud of during your Pathways internship?
“I enjoyed that I was able to help the museum learn more about the objects in its collection as well as producing a research article I am really proud of using both aspects of my degree course, especially as I had just returned from living in China! Being able to see my work published on their website really is fantastic and I have had great feedback from others who have read it!”
Why would you recommend the Professional Pathways programme to other students?
“I would recommend Pathways to other students because it is not only an amazing way to get paid work experience in sectors in which this can be hard to find, but also because the intensive training week is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what areas you might be interested in and network with industry professionals!”