Communications Officer Intern Review

I absolutely loved my placement year at the Foundation. Working in the busy PR & Comms Team, I was tasked with the management and content creation of all the Foundation's social media channels. It was a fantastic year that was full of incredible experiences and I am really going to miss working here. It was my perfect job.

I felt extremely valued. Being only one of four members of the Comms team, you are given a lot of responsibility and to that end, it doesn't feel like an internship, as most people view them. It's a full-time job with proper responsibility and it's because of this that you are completely integrated and valued within the organisation.

The support from my line-manager was second to none. He never once was too busy to answer questions, give support and advice and without him, the placement would have a been a lot harder. He made it extremely easy to settle in and gave me the confidence and license to make the role my own.

Fairly busy but this is only relative to the fact it's a small four-man Comms department. I can't remember a week, or even a period of days, where I didn't have stuff to do. It seems daunting but that's what makes the role so great. Although you might be busy, it's a positive busy and you're exposed to lots of different experiences, which is perfect for your development.

Lots. As previously mentioned, I was the content creator and manager of the social media channels. Given free roam to do what I wanted on social media as well as writing countless articles for internal and external articles.

The skills are invaluable. From writing skills, to an increase in confidence, the placement year at the Foundation has been fantastic in developing my skills professionally, and on a personal level.

The office was superb. Everyone was extremely friendly, worked extremely hard to help us in any way we could and the people in the office were always great fun.

The Foundation ensure that each year the interns are given a substantial six-week handover period with the previous interns. The detailed handover period makes the bedding in period seamless and extremely useful. As well as the handover, the team are so well equipped to accommodate placement students that there is many different events and talks that are in place to ensure that you are settled in to your role.

The Foundation does care and invests time and money into your development. I was fortunate enough to be given the chance to attend multiple conferences, talks, events and external paid-for training. It is not often that companies do that but the Foundation want to ensure that you are given the tools to develop yourself whilst on placement.

Unfortunately, due to the Foundation's charity status, there isn't much chance of securing a job in the Comms Team post-graduation. However, there are several people in the office that arrived on work experience or placement and returned in another capacity at a later date and have since progressed through the organisation.

There is only one other placement student who also works in Comms but the relationship, both socially and professionally, is a very close one and one that definitely makes the placement easier.

I lived at home so I wasn't aware of the cost of living in the area.

See above.

Yes, there is often staff events and meet-ups outside of work that people frequently attend.