Interpreting Services Intern Review

I really enjoyed my internship with Language Connect. It gives you a valuable insight into the industry and everyday I was learning new skills and gaining valuable experience that I could use to my advantage, in the future, with applying and securing similar jobs roles in the language services industry.

I felt extremely valued by my colleagues. I never felt any animosity in the work place and everyone is really appreciative of the work that you have done. This is especially true if you’re able to help your colleagues out with their workload. They are always really grateful for it.

My management and supervisors were extremely supportive and gave me the guidance that I needed. At the beginning of my internship, my mentor gave me all the necessary information but was always happy to reexplain aspects of the job I wasn’t sure on. Even towards the end of my internship I was still asking questions and they weren’t reluctant to help even though I had been there, doing that role for a while.

It definitely depends on the day and the time of year as to how busy you are. The majority of the time I was quite busy- which I liked! No day is ever the same and it depends on the clients’ requests to how busy you are, but I noticed that around Christmas time it wasn’t very busy at all, however, after Christmas was when clients started making all their requests again so it was much busier in comparison.

I was given a lot of responsibility by my mentor at quite an early stage in my internship. I think once you can prove to them that you are capable and you know what you’re doing, they’re more than happy to give you more responsibility. My mentor would send requests from particular clients straight to me, so I was having direct contact with them which is something that I really enjoyed.

I definitely think that from this internship I gained valuable skills and experience about the industry in itself. I learnt so much about it in such a short space of time that I do think it will open up opportunities for me in the future in this industry, that I wouldn’t have necessarily had before.

There is a really positive atmosphere at Language Connect. Everyone gets on really well and I was constantly laughing on my team. As well as this, everyone is really willing to get to know interns- which surprised me because you’re only there for a short time- and make the effort to get to know you.

This internship is extremely well organised. You know exactly what’s going to happen and receive all the necessary information before you arrive on your first day. As well as this, everything in terms of getting your official contract and sorting out payment information is done really quickly and efficiently and I didn’t have any issues with this.

Language Connect invest so much time into your training and development. From the first day to the last day you’re constantly improving and developing new skills that will help you succeed in the industry. I really appreciate this as they understand that some interns may not want to stay on at the company after their internship, but they still invest the same amount of time into your development as it is beneficial to you.

Future prospects at Language Connect are really appealing as many interns do want to stay on in permanent roles. As well as this, the skills you gain from internships at this company are so transferable that you are able to go into a different role, if you want a change. This is especially true in my case as I’m going into the Sales team from the Interpreting team.

There is a good social scene amongst fellow colleagues. There is a team chat for all interns where they arrange to meet up after work and go for drinks. It’s nice to get involved with the other interns as you’re all similar in age and in similar positions to yourself.

I didn’t live in the area, so I cannot comment on that. However, it is easily commutable to so if it’s an expensive area I’m sure there are nearby, cheaper areas that you could commute from. In terms of socialising, London in general I’m expensive compared to other places in the U.K. but I wouldn’t say the area is expensive for London.

As far as I’m aware there aren’t any clubs around, however, the road that the office is off (Bermondsey Street) has a few bars and there are other bars nearby so there are places you can go after work on a Friday or during the week. There’s quite a variety too so you can pick what you fancy.

There are many opportunities to get involved outside of work. If anyone is planning a trip to the pub, they normally send a message to the whole office letting people know when and where they’re going. Interns are always invited and welcome to go, so it’s a good chance to meet everyone that works there.