Intern Review

There were many enjoyable aspects to working for Somethin' Else. The staff were all super friendly and helpful when I had work-related queries. I also enjoyed the variety of activities involved in the experience, there was always something different and new to attempt. The reason I am giving the enjoyment level 8/10 is because there were times when I was asked to do duties that weren't beneficial for my future career, such as clearing up and cleaning the space after a client party.

My feeling of value fluctuated throughout my internship, this was in part due to menial tasks being set and not always feeling appreciated or acknowledged for tasks I'd spent hard working on for someone in the company. I also found it difficult when I was asked to continuously make tea for my colleagues. Being asked to make tea and coffee rather than have meaningful input to discussions or working on design tasks was difficult but more often than not I did feel valued and so I'd rate it a 7/10.

I felt supported throughout my experience because there were so many friendly people who wanted to know why I was there, and what I was interested in doing during my internship. These people guided me to finding tasks that suited my level of experience, challenged my way of thinking and got me in contact with the directors and production managers who could use my expertise. I was really satisfied with the level of support I was given and for that reason, I give this aspect a 9/10.

Since returning to uni to complete my final year, I am seeing how my developed skills are useful. I learned a lot about how to set up lighting for film/TV production and am using these lighting skills to photograph my work professionally. I also significantly improved my Photoshop skills on this placement, which is upgrading the graphic design aspects of my final major project. These skills will not only be useful for my studies but any future career in the design industry. Aside from design I learned how to work in an office in close proximity to many other people and to understand the needs of others as well as my own. I think this skill will not only be good for any future job but also life in general because I am already finding it easier to engage with people and give them space. 10/10.

To be honest, the placement wasn't well structured at all. The only time there was structure was when there was a day planned for something specific, like recording a TV show or making the audio files for The Economist, all the other days were waiting around to be given tasks. I feel like in the future they should improve on this by creating a 2-4week plan for the interns so that there's a structure and a range of interesting tasks arranged. 2/10.

Generally, the atmosphere in the office was positive. Even when there were no specific tasks in hand, people were friendly and would accept help or let me shadow them if I had nothing better to do. The atmosphere was especially great when there was a tv shoot or radio recording taking place. As it was summer during my placement, at lunchtime the office would all socialize on the roof and eat together which I found very wholesome and they would engage me in their conversations despite me being a temporary intern. 9/10.

I wasn't given any real training or mentoring which I found quite disappointing, I didn't feel like they invested in me very much. However, I was able to pick things up by watching people and there were members of staff who would have given me tips and guidance on specific design-related topics, had I asked. I think a lot of that is down to the lack of structure given to interns, had there been more structure and planning, then maybe I could have had training in certain areas of work. 2/10.

Towards the end of the internship I was trusted enough to do more valuable tasks for the design social team and when I worked alongside them I got a good feel of what it would be like to work there full time. Coming in from 10am till 5:30pm and working on graphics for various radio shows and the BBC, sticking to criteria but with a bit of leeway to add a bit of personal style. From what I experienced in that space I would love to work there full time. 9/10 for understanding the role.

In this company, it seemed like everyone was doing their own things individually. Even though everything was being put together as a whole at the end, the workers seemed to mostly keep their work to themselves until it was time to collectively gather everything. I don't know whether this is the same for every company but it seemed to work really well in this setting. I think I've learned enough here that I could go on to work in a company with the same type of culture. 8/10.

Most of the day was spent on the computer in an office, which for me was more of an insight into what I don't really want to get into in the future or at least a last resort that I know is possible but a bit tedious if plans to do something more physical doesn't work out. I've learned that I can do this career path in graphic design but that I'd much rather do something that involves less sitting around and more making with my hands. 8/10 for helping clarify that, even if it wasn't what I was looking for.

I was given a £200 spending limit for food and travel for which I had to retain all receipts and calculate at the end, on a spreadsheet. They made this really easy to review and submit with a model form that had been successful before. But you have to remember your receipts otherwise you won't get anything.

The networking opportunities mainly arose at lunchtimes or break times but most people kept to themselves during work hours, unless on a tv shoot. I think there should have been more networking involved but I think that it was up to me to make that happen, they gave me all the email addresses to the employees, anyone I wanted to contact I could have. 7/10 the opportunities were there to be taken but weren't guided.

After work, some of the employees would go to the local pub and in there I could socialize with them but it was only those workers who were drinking and usually the same group of people. Those were great opportunities and a good time to get to know people who worked there, but it would have been better if I had been invited to their networking events they held in the office because a larger group of people would have been there. 4/10.

There was never any discussion about activities to get involved in outside of work. I'm not even sure what outside activities would relate to that company. There was talk of shadowing opportunities that were available to previous interns but that they scrapped those opportunities once someone made a big mistake. 1/10

I might recommend this to a friend but I would advise her/him to be confident and sure of what they want to do and objectives to achieve during this insight. To make sure they get in contact with all the employees that they're interested in talking to and get to know people in the company. That way they'll have more structure and learn more. 70% likely.