Student Name: Jasmine
Pathways Programme: Pathways to Charity and Development (2026 Cohort)
Internship Role: Education Intern
Internship Employer: Borneo Nature Foundation
Summary of Organisation: Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) is a conservation organisation working to protect and restore tropical rainforest ecosystems in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. Our work combines biodiversity conservation, peatland restoration, community-led forest management, research, education, and sustainable livelihoods.
Please briefly outline the projects/tasks/responsibilities you worked on during your Professional Pathways internship.
“During my internship, I was tasked with finding a range of funders that could be approached to support BNF’s incredible education work supporting communities living within and around the rainforest. This involved following a brief given by my line manager, using the knowledge gained from my training to explore different funding options and avenues, and creating a comprehensive list of funders including details of previous work supported and how they may be able to support BNF. I also had the opportunity to understand what role each member of the team performed and gain insights into their daily tasks and responsibilities, as well as doing small additional tasks to support the team.”
How was the Professional Pathways programme helped you in taking the next steps in your career?
“Not only has the experience given me invaluable additions to my CV, it has opened my eyes to a whole new range of career opportunities and job roles. Gaining first hand experience working for a charity during my undergraduate degree is something I am incredibly grateful for, and the knowledge gained from the training not only gave me confidence in completing my internship but also taught me knowledge and skills that are super helpful in so many areas of my life, for example when completing funding applications for the Dance Society, which I am President of.”
How do you think this experience will impact on your employability as you enter the job market as a recent graduate?
“Both the training and internship have allowed me to put into practice a range of skills that I wouldn’t have necessarily otherwise been able to develop and evidence within the workplace at this stage in my career. Hopefully having this to complement the other experience already on my CV will help to show employers that I have a range of real world experiences and skills they may find valuable within their team!”
What achievement(s) were you particularly proud of during your Pathways internship?
“I was so excited to be working on something that could help the company move forward in their work as a charity by opening new doors to new funding streams. Not necessarily task related but I got a gift bag of hand made (from Borneo) stickers, earrings and pens which I was very happy with!”
Given the Professional Pathways internship is 35 hours in total, what advice would you give to other students to ensure they gain as much as possible from the experience?
“Do your research on the company before starting- it’s so lovely to come across excited about the opportunity and it really helps if you know some background info before your first day!
Jump at any opportunity to gain extra skills doing tasks for the employer- if you have time! Make sure to prioritise your project but if there are any other little bits the team need help with and you have capacity, it doesn’t hurt to get involved and add an extra task to your list of responsibilities in this role on your CV!”
Why would you recommend the Professional Pathways programme to other students?
“It’s not only so good to add to your CV( and LinkedIn of course), it’s also really fun! The training was an amazing opportunity to work with and meet new people I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and the internship not only gave me direct experience within the charity sector but allowed me to work with some amazing people!”