Graduate Internships

Jennifer - Department of Psychology Intern

I'm Jen and currently work within the Department of Psychology. By carrying out data analyses as well as some experimental work in labs, I'm involved in research projects which aim to advance our understanding of functional brain imaging signals. I previously graduated with a BSc in Maths and Psychology (Glasgow), and also an MSc in Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience here in Sheffield. Since I intend to pursue a PhD, the Graduate Internship Scheme offers a good opportunity for me to gain valuable research experience and become actively involved in academic work.

Vlad - Learning and Teaching Service Intern

I am Psychology graduate, currently working as a Graduate Intern at the Learning and Teaching Services. My role is particularly focused on two projects: the SURE Scheme (Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience) and the OPMS (Online Programme Management System).

The SURE Scheme is aimed at undergraduates usually in their penultimate year and it offers them the opportunity to do funded research over the summer period. In trying to promote this scheme, I have learned how to use iMovie and Adobe Premiere to edit videos and I have now finished creating a promotional video from existing footage and from recordings that I have done myself for this purpose. I have also worked to re-define the character of the SURE facebook page and I have re- written the SURE website so that it is more accessible.

The OPMS is a project that is underway at the moment, looking to streamline the way programme details are being managed across both professional and academic departments. As part of my research, I will also lead a series of focus groups with students to find out what they consider to be an accessible, informative programme specification.

Aside from the duties with regards to these two projects, I have constantly been encouraged to come to meetings pertaining to the wider strategies of the Learning and Teaching Services and other related departments. Furthermore, I have been encouraged to explore and find out more about the areas that interest me.

Overall, the experience has been very positive. From getting used to the work dynamic of full-time employment and the need to manage my time effectively through to the training and development opportunities that I have been given, the Graduate Internship Scheme will prove very useful in my future career, regardless of the path I choose to take.

Nicole - Department of Geography Intern

My name is Nicole and I am currently interning with the Department of Geography. I am working with a small team of academics on the ‘Employability Pathway Project’, which will review and re-model the Employability Strategy for the department, with the aim of improving the future prospects for our graduates.

The two main parts of my role consist of:

• researching ways to embed skills development and work experience within higher education
• liaising with university staff, students and alumni for feedback on existing services and the potential for future collaborations.

At the end of the 6 months I will present my findings and proposed remodelling strategy to all departmental staff on an ‘Employability Away Day’.

I graduated from the University in September, having completed an MSc in Environmental Change & International Development. In the long-term, I am looking to pursue a career in research and policy, and believe this internship will provide me with crucial paid research experience, as well as added skills in networking, project management and report-writing. The scheme also provides an excellent opportunity to work closely with the Careers Service on my own professional development, and has enabled me to have a clearer understanding of my skills and attributes."

Jon - Faculty of Engineering Intern

I am a recent Mechanical Engineering graduate and I am the graduate intern Reducing Carbon Footprint by Individual Behavioural Change with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sheffield. I have career aspirations to work within sustainability and alternative technology building services sector. I have been involved with several sustainability and international development projects over the past few years and the internship is the next vital step in my career development.

My role is focussing on changing staff, student and institutional behaviour to reduce energy use and Carbon footprint within the engineering buildings. Employing a technical engineering approach to the problems; identifying major energy wastage issues and the largest potential reductions with minimal
behaviour change, is key to my role.

The role has two main aims:

• To build on recommendations made by an external consultancy and to develop and implementation plan for taking forward the culture/behaviour change recommendations
• To launch and progress the implementation plan

All the schemes I implement must be measurable, sustainable and scalable. Ensuring that at the end of my 6 month internship a real carbon reduction has been made, that it will continue to run and that all the ideas have potential to grow and be implemented as part of the University wide Energy Policy. I hope to do this by creating a cultural ethos of environmental awareness and carbon management both circularly and extra circularly.

Charlotte - Student Recruitment, Admission and International Relations Intern

I’m Charlotte and I began an internship in December 2012 in the department of Student Recruitment, Admissions and International Relations (SRAIR) at the university. Specifically, I am working on the development and implementation of a pilot student recruitment scheme called the Student Advocate Programme. As a recent graduate of the University of Sheffield, the internship is an invaluable opportunity to gain project management experience in a professional environment, in order to enhance my CV and future career prospects.

The variety of the role ensures I receive a wealth of valuable experience which will forward my career as a graduate, but equally importantly it ensures that I am always engaged with my work. The guidance I have received from my colleagues in UK Recruitment has helped me to settle into my new role easily, and the support of HR and the Careers Service in providing interns with training workshops to enhance our skills is another valuable facet to the programme, ensuring that our experience is broadened even further. I am looking forward to the next few months, and confident that the experience I will gain will benefit my future prospects considerably. Thank you to the University of Sheffield for supporting its graduates in this way.

Kim - Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Intern

My name is Kim, and I have just started on a six month University of Sheffield Graduate internship in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology. I got my undergraduate degree from the Animal and Plant Science Department in Sheffield, and graduated summer 2012.

For my internship, I am working within a team focused on research on the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei, a deadly pathogen that causes the disease melioidosis is SE Asia and Northern Australia. As well as working in the laboratory collecting data, I am also involved in coordinating discussions with potential collaborators, and priming the application for future funding.

Lucy - Department of Infection and Immunity Intern

After graduating in July 2012 with a BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in science, but was unsure of which direction to take. I learnt of the graduate internship programmes the university was offering in several departments across the university and instantly knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to hone my practical skills and gain a much needed insight into what working in an academic research environment would really be like and whether it as the right career choice for me. My project is based in the department of infection and immunity at the university medical school, where I am conducting research on white blood cells and their responses to pneumonia bacteria.

The opportunity to work in a dynamic research team has confirmed my ambition to conduct scientific research and helped me to refine my research interests. As well as providing me with relevant experience, the scheme has enabled me to network with departmental staff and other interns. What’s more, there are several courses which I have enrolled to, offered by the university for graduate interns, which are providing me with skills I can utilise in my future career. Now not only am I enhancing my academic knowledge but also gaining skills sought after by employers. The graduate internship has been a wonderful opportunity providing me with a stepping stone from which to launch my career in science.

Lewis - Faculty of Social Sciences Intern

I graduated from the University of Sheffield in the summer of 2012 with a degree in International History and International Politics. I was excited to see this opportunity as it would give me valuable experience in marketing and advertising, editorial work and experience in a higher education environment.

My internship role is based within the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is home to 13 departments. I work closely with the Student Recruitment Support Manager in addressing recruitment and conversion activities carried out by the departments we oversee.

Currently I have had the opportunity to work on a number of projects; these include filming and editing a promotional video for the School of Education, writing new content to be featured on the prospective undergraduate pages of the Sociological Studies departmental page, as well as many other editing  roles. This role is part of a wider project of improving recruitment and conversion across the departments in the Faculty.