Contractor Review

At times, when I have had enough work to do the internship has been a rewarding experience. However, the level of work is not consistent so I find myself with very little to do for days on end. Twiddling my thumbs is unsatisfying and incredibly dull.

I have received a lot of positive feedback on my work, and they have made an effort to stress its importance to the team.

Support and guidance is readily available, although my line manager is based at a different location so communication is via phone or emial only. This can lead to some delays in him getting back to me.

Some days I am FAR too busy, some days I am bored with nothing to do - not enough balance.

I have been given responsibility for a large scale project which I complete alone with feedback from my managers. I have also been entrusted with calls to external clients.

I have developed some skills in using Microsoft excel and Word Processor, and an understanding of the conduct of a working environment and confidence in making calls, which will be useful in a working environment. However, I dont believe the skills i have learnt will appply to my degree.

Fairly relaxed - colleagues make some effort to organise group activities. Some tensions exist between other interns.

The logistics of the internship were well set up, although the accomodation, albeit very central, is inadequate as it is far too hot, which disrupts my ability to sleep. The work itself could have been more organised - IT, including emails and access to certain mailboxes took weeks in some cases, which meant there were times when i was unable to complete work.

There has been some effort to develop and train us, including a couple of useful webinars and I am generally encouraged to speak in front of the group and improve my presentation skills in that sense, however there is no formal training.

Although the organisation is dynamic, and colleagues seem to be satisfied with the opportunities to move around the various sections of the country, for me personally, I would feel restricted by the company being based in the UK only, as I would like to use the four languages i speak on a regular basis.

There is a decent amount of social events both with the interns and with the permanent staff, however I feel because I was placed in the other accomodation with a more limited number of scholars and less communal areas, I have felt isolated from the central group and their social activities. This is particularly frustrating as there seems to be space in the main accomodation - Dinwidy - for more scholars to reside.

It can be quite expensive to buy food, however I am very grateful that the accomodation is provided to us, otherwise it would have been difficult to afford.

I don't go out - but it seems to be good. King's Cross is a good central location for going out.

Some, but again not being in the same accomodation block and charity challenge team as the interns i work with has isolated me from group chats organising social occasions.