Name of Student: Emily
Pathway Programme: Pathways to Charity and Development (2024 cohort)
Internship Role: Impact Communications Assistant
Internship Employer: Exeter Science Centre
Summary of Organisation: Exeter Science Centre is an educational charity dedicated to public engagement with STEAMM (science, tech, engineering, arts, maths and medicine).
We work on projects related to global issues, highlight their local relevance through collaboration with research, industry and local organisations, and empower people to play a role in mitigating them. In parallel, weāre creating a network of science centres in the South West.
Please briefly outline the project/tasks/responsibilities you worked on during your Professional Pathways internship:
“As an Impact Communications Assistant, my responsibilities with Exeter Science Centre were very flexible as I was able to choose the specific projects I wished to work on. Deciding to focus on overhauling their social media presence, I designed post templates, created an Instagram technical guide, and conducted competitor analysis. My overall aim was to formulate an appropriate social media strategy that best reflected their brand identity, particularly highlighting their values as a STEM-driven, eco-conscious educator.”
How do you think this experience will impact on your employability as you enter the job market as a recent graduate?
“This programme helped to add the ‘professional’ aspect to my existing work experience. Being able to utilise the skills I had gained working in part-time retail and hospitality, as well as in university societies, my internship allowed me to explore how I could apply these skills to more career-orientated jobs in the future. Throughout the training, I was given guidance on the importance of networking, so being able to connect with industry leaders and ask quite intricate questions felt incredibly valuable. The whole process genuinely empowered me to become more confident in my own abilities, which I believe to be the most significant contribution to my overall employability.“
What achievement(s) were you particularly proud of during your Pathways internship?
“I worked directly with the founders of the company who supported my insights and creativity, and so I felt like my contributions were valued. I really respect the vision of Exeter Science Centre and all the work they do in the community, particularly with their drive to engage further with young people and students, which drove me to work even harder.
Within two days of working with Exeter Science Centre I was allowed to alter aspects of their business Instagram, including posting Intern Introductions with approved captions and graphics. My last task was to draft posts for their upcoming volunteer drive – posters, stories, testimonials – which I hope to see used in the future!
Being able to create their first “proper” strategy and evaluating how the group is currently perceived, I believe I provided an important first step in how the company may approach communications in the future. As someone with no formal marketing experience, I am immensely proud of all the work I have done and trust that my ideas will be taken on board based on the positive feedback I have received.”
What advice would you give to a student who has to complete an internship via remote or hybrid working?
“My internship was completely remote, and from the beginning I was aware that it could be challenging. It is completely normal to be worried about remote work, especially with things like making a good first impression. My advice would be to maintain consistent communication as much as possible and to really establish the expectations of your role from the beginning. This could be as little as asking for specific deadlines or scheduling check-in meetings with your internship provider to discuss daily progress.
Pathways was a great opportunity for me to learn about my preferred working style (e.g. hours, environment, location) as I had never undertaken remote work before. I think that the more you put into your role, the more you will get out of it, so do not be worried about asking too many questions or requesting further guidance. Whilst remote working admittedly requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation (at least from my perspective), being able to communicate with your provider as to how your role can be adapted to how you work best could be very beneficial.“
Why would you recommend the Professional Pathways programme to other students?
“I would recommend the Professional Pathways Programme to anyone who feels that they would benefit from a boost to their existing skills through further exposure to the professional world. Both the training and your internship surround you with supportive and passionate people (whether it be staff or fellow students), which is an environment that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. Not only do you get paid for your time – which is not always common for similar-level internships – but you get to engage with the local community, network, and challenge yourself in a risk-free setting. There is no harm in applying and seeing what happens next!“