September 10, 2024, by jhillary1
My work experience placement through the Nottingham Internship Scheme
By Katie John, psychology student
My experience at the Liquor Collective was really valuable to me, and I really enjoyed my time. It was my first time working in an office environment, which provided me with experience which I otherwise would not have received.
It was also my first time working within human resources, my chosen career path, which helped to gain relevant work experience.
I found out about the Nottingham Internship Scheme (NIS) through the Careers website. The videos and information I found there persuaded me to apply to the scheme, as previous participants had developed lots of career-related skills and experiences, and seemed to have really enjoyed their experiences.
Why I applied
I was interested in this scheme because I wanted to gain work experience in a more relaxed, structured environment, with the support of the Careers and Employability Service at the university.
I also wanted to get experience to help develop my CV. Another thing that worked for me with the structure of the scheme was that it took place for 10 days during the Easter holidays. This meant that I was able to remain in Nottingham throughout the break, with no financial cost to myself to what I was already paying. This made the scheme much more accessible to me.
The support I received
As a person with a mental health condition, I felt incredibly supported throughout the entire process, from my initial application to the completion of the internship.
I was kept in contact throughout the entire process. Employees at The Liquor Collective were incredibly accommodating, by meeting me and the other intern before the internship began, at Portland Coffee, and providing me with a timeline of how the internship was to run. This made me feel more comfortable before the internship began.
My experience
My overall experience was incredibly positive. I worked closely with all employees within the head office, and shadowed and observed their work, getting an idea of what it is like to work within an office.
Myself and the other intern also had the opportunity to attend an offsite team meeting with The Liquor Collective. This was a really great experience, as we saw the true value of teamwork and how passionate everybody was within the company.
During the internship, I worked hybrid, split between the office and working from home. This was very important, as it reflected the changing nature of the working world.
When working from home, myself and the other intern worked together to conduct a holistic, critical analysis of the company. This opportunity allowed us to gain an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of the company. I developed skills in writing emails, conducting interviews, undertaking a competitor analysis, and creating and pitching a presentation.
I really enjoyed my time working at The Liquor Collective, and recommend the Nottingham Internship Scheme to anyone wanting to gain incredible work experience.
The Nottingham Internship Scheme (NIS) runs twice annually, in autumn and spring. Head to the NIS page to find out if you’re eligible and how to apply
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