Category Archives: Employment

Ask the Intern : A Q&A session via Facebook

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On the 19th of March, I went from observing webchats to actually answering the questions that people wanted to ask. I have recently finished my Social Media Internship at Macmillan Cancer Support and agreed to take part in a discussion about what I did and what I gained. You can view the actual thread here but I wanted to go through and answer a few of the questions again in full.

1. What is an Intern?

The answer I gave :
An internship is a great way to get involved, build on existing skills or explore a change of career. Some other interns have written about their experience as well as their roles http://www.macmillan.org.uk/GetInvolved/Volunteer/Internships/InternshipCaseStudy.aspx.

Additional thoughts
An intern is someone who is looking to gain experience within a certain profession, a little like going on work experience although it is often for a longer time frame and you have a little more responsibility. I didn’t end up making tea/coffee or just filing paperwork. I was involved in several meetings and given the opportunity to put forward my own ideas for projects.

2. What is it like and what do you do?

The answer I gave

I loved my internship, I got the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and at the beginning my line manager discussed what skills I’d like to develop and ways I could build on my experience. My internship was for a social media role so I got to learn more about the way that Macmillan uses social media to provide support, information and the planning involved in different projects.

Additional thoughts
Working for Macmillan is an experience in itself, with so many people passionate about their work it is hard not to get caught up and end up staying extra hours. I have had the pleasure of meeting people from many different departments and offices, in person, via email and even spoken to them on the phone. The office itself is very bubbly and the ever-changing posters bring a smile to my face. I work on social media, I wrote posts, responded to comments and found answers for those that needed them, I also got to learn about our regional pages and accounts as well meet some of the fundraising team up in Shipley. I had the opportunity to experience the ups and downs of working life as a member of the Social Media team.

3. What is the meaning of life?

The answer given
42

Additional thoughts

It depends which book you read.

4. More details please? Full Time? Part Time? All areas of support or focused area?

The answer given
My role was 4 days a week, mainly working on social media but I did have the opportunity to learn about all the various ways Macmillan provides support (here is the blog I wrote about it http://community.macmillan.org.uk/blogs/b/community_news/archive/2013/02/20/how-macmillan-supports-online-and-offline.aspx ).
Internships are fairly flexible, I work from the London office but there are internships available around the UK. Macmillan asks that you do a minimum 3 days a week and will ask what hours you are available to work.

Additional Thoughts
Social media has been integrated across all levels at Macmillan, so I found myself often asking other departments for information or how I could help out. I learnt a lot from the cancer information team and throughly enjoyed working on the recipe Pinterest board as well as trialing the recipes. So even though I only worked in the office for 4 days a week, I often caught myself thinking of new ideas and wondering how everything was going on even on my days off!

5. What qualifications do you need to apply?

The answer given
Internships are available to everyone, you are chosen on your experience and what you could bring to the role. So if you are interested get applying

Additional thoughts

Internships are open to everyone, that is one of the best parts of applying for one. No pressure on your qualifications just the knowledge of the role you are applying for. If I decided to intern for the fundraising department I would just need to evaluate the skills I have opposed to trying to work on another qualification. This part of internships amazes me.

6. I take that this is voluntary work?

The answer given
Yes an internship is a voluntary role, I was given a nice pin badge to say that I’m a volunteer which I wear proudly.

Additional thoughts

I volunteered my time and effort to gain experience so I could be a part of the work that Macmillan Cancer Support does. I also got a snazzy folder and badge. I was pretty chuffed with my starter kit.

7. Did you work in a PR capacity? If so, what’s the best way to get an internship?

The answer given
My role was focused more on social media, which meant we did work closely with the PR team for some projects. Keep an eye out for any opportunity to gain experience, previously I did some work writing for a local magazine which got me used to press releases and other things

Additional thoughts

Grab any opportunity you can to gain experience, I loved writing for the Ark Magazine but I also enjoyed the photography I did for the students union. There were lots of opportunities to get involved whilst I was at university and it gives you a chance to learn more about how different people work. It also gives you chance to see the way you work when placed in different teams/departments/companies.

8. What part of your internship have you enjoyed the most whilst at Macmillan?

The answer given
I’ve loved working on a variety of projects, seeing a project go from planning stages to launch has been fantastic! Learning about new ideas and working with some lovely people has certainly made the 3 months fly by.

Additional thoughts
There have been days where I wondered how people managed to stay so positive about their cancer experience, then there were moments of pure joy when I heard about how thankful someone was for the support they had and wanted to know how they could give back. The projects were great to work on and they did make time fly, though I do have to say some of the messages I saw re-affirmed why I want to work for a charity and how I can help others.

9. What campaign have you enjoyed working on the most? HINT #CharityShakeOff

The answer given
There have been a few projects like #AgeOldExcuse, #charityshakeoff and #notalone. I’m currently working on ‘A Really Good Night In’ so I’ll have to announce my favourite later on this year.

Additional thoughts

The shake off was pretty cool, seeing three charities work to raise awareness and have a bit of fun was certainly different. Video is a great way to portray messages without lengthy explanations, although simplicity is key. #Notalone & #AgeOldExcuse have very powerful messages that have left a lasting impression on those who have seen them. My current project ‘A Really Good Night In‘ is my first fundraising project and it has been hard work getting the planning and content together but I am thoroughly enjoying seeing everything develop.

10. Are there internships in the north-east of England? Is there an age limit on being an intern?

The answer given
There are internships available all across the UK so keep an eye out for them via http://volunteering.macmillan.org.uk/Search/AdvancedSearch . You have to be over 18 to be able to apply but other than that no age limit. Great that you’ve chosen to learn new skills, wishing you the best for the future

Additional thoughts

It is experience that matters not age, I was very surprised by this question purely as I believe you can change career or learn new skills at any age. I have always wondered if I have been rejected from jobs because of my age, I never considered that people may believe they’ve been rejected due to being too old for an internship. We all have to start somewhere.

14. What is the internship about ? What do you do? And what do you gain?

The answer given
There are a wide variety of internships across Macmillan. My internship was for Social Media, so I focused on the Macmillan Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+) working on different elements of planning and content. I have gained experience of working within a charity and the chance to work on some amazing campaigns.

Additional thoughts

I’ve recently been trying to explain to friends and family what I actually did during my internship, the simplest way to explain is that I work on a selection of social media platforms. Generally this gets me a bit of a blank look and “so you just sit on Facebook all day?”. I wish it was that simple, drafting up content for statuses and picking photos to upload is a lot more difficult, trying to be interesting and relevant all the time. I love it but trying to explain it can sometimes be tougher than if I was able to show them exactly what I do in an average day. I have gained a lot of knowledge not only about social media but also about cancer, medical support and financial support available.

15. What are your managers like?

Additional thoughts

I didn’t reply to this on the main thread as it was asked after the Q&A had finished. My managers have given me the chance to shine, with their feedback and knowledge I am not the same person that I was when I started my internship (in a positive way). With their help and encouragement I have spoken at events such as #barcampnfp and actively taken part in discussions both internally and externally about how social media should be incorporated. I have been very lucky to have been offered the opportunity working on ‘A Really Good Night In’ and look forward to evaluating what I have learnt after it has been completed. So I would like to say Thank You, to my Managers and the Online Community team for making my internship a fantastic experience. I hope the next intern brings you even more snacks.
Amy

One Month Later

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Last month I had a video explaining what had changed over the past year. I am now writing to say what has changed over the past month. No video this time but a lot to say.

Location : High Wycombe

Job : Social Media Intern

Pets : 1 chilli plant and a teddy or two

In one month I have moved myself down the country and left my full time job for a new opportunity. You may think I’m slightly mad. I have been caught off guard at how quickly everything has changed but for my career this is a leap in the right direction. Many of you know that I have wanted to work for a charity for the past few years, with the experience I had gained during university and the confidence I had been given from my job at Magma I applied for the 3 month internship at Macmillan.

The interview went well, I was nervous (same as everyone else I’m sure). I was really interested in the role and the experience it would give me. So when I was offered the internship I jumped at the opportunity . Luckily I had the support of friends, co-workers, bosses and family to allow me to follow my heart and take the leap.

You might of seen that I have also been a Social Media Surgeon at the Preston Social Media Surgeries run by Digienable, I am looking forward to applying the skills I have learnt there of building strategies and explaining elements of social media to my new role.

Fingers crossed for lots of interesting blogs to come

That is all for now

Amy

One step beyond

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It is all about the taking part, it is also about what you learn and take away from any activity. I try to get involved in as many projects as possible. My house is full of half-finished (sometimes half started) craft projects, each in one way or another contributing to honing my skills. I also take care of a few chilli plants, I have mentioned them before and I wont dwell on the subject but gardening is also a hobby that I work hard at to ensure good results.

As a graduate I look at my CV and I can see where I have taken extra time aside from coursework to earn some money, work as an intern to gain experience and also developed a portfolio of awards. Now as I come to the end of my first 4 weeks as a full time marketing assistant I am learning about the next step beyond.

Initially I thought a full-time job would be similar to my internships, I was wrong, in a good way I have discovered the benefits of planning and working as a team. I need to develop my skills as an employee to best represent the company I work for and the value I add. Tomorrow I will be presenting at the #prestonsocial, if you haven’t got a ticket already make sure you do! Alternatively follow the hashtag for updates while you are elsewhere. Even with this is mind, it isn’t just about skills it is about understanding what you need to do the very best at the job you are in.

I’m still learning, let me know how you improve your skills

Thats all for now
Amy

Celebrating 2 years together

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University work is over, final pieces handed in and awaiting my final grades. It is time to say goodbye to my job at Essentials.

I started in May 2010, after my first few training shifts I worked over the summer and when september rolled back around it felt like I hadn’t trained at all! The freshers week madness set in and trying to wrestle with emptying change bags into a till was hard enough. Never mind trying to figure out where on earth the menthol cigarettes are behind the counter or endlessly searching for paracetamol when it is simply hidden behind ibuprofen.

Once I had got into the swing of what jobs need doing and where the majority of products were, it was nice to get to know the other members of staff. The shop itself has 5 tills, 4 managers and around 40 members of staff. Getting to know everyone is very difficult unless you are free to work any shift in the world, everyone has a routine of shifts they do so it is a rarity that you get the chance to work with different people.

May 2011 came around a little too quickly, as soon as I had got to know different members of staff. Half of them left due to graduating and the new starters started their training for the following freshers.

Freshers swings round again and I was prepared for the split bags of 5ps, it was nice to be able to help out the new starters. The same way the year before more experienced staff helped me. Once again May has come round so quickly and it is now time for me to say goodbye, I am celebrating 2 years of great staff and a fantastic employer.

Essentials has helped me through my degree, both financially and with my general well-being. The staff have helped me with projects and just understanding what it takes to do a degree. I know in my heart that I will never have another job like Cashier at Essentials. I am also glad, the comparisons between staff and customers would be difficult.

So I raise a brew to Essentials as I carry on with my full-time job hunt.

Thank You for a fantastic 2 years together.

That’s All For Now

Amy

A Fresh Start for Cinderella

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Morning!

The clocks have sprung forward and the sun is out to explain why. For some reason this time change I always react better too. Maybe its the fact that as the sunrise get earlier and brighter I get to wake up more naturally opposed to the horrid high-pitched beep of the alarm.

After yesterdays fun of clearing out and cleaning up a couple of rooms, my attention now moves to updating the books and creating notes for tomorrows presentation.

But why cinderella for the title?

For me Cinderella is not purely about how the pretty sister will get the prince she wants but also the fresh start she gets gives after the fairy godmother allows her to experience a life she wouldn’t normally get chance to due to her evil stepmother. So once the clock strikes midnight and everything goes back to how it was. Instead of being disheartened, Cinderella still has the memory of how joyful the night was and it gives her a new spring in her step.

The clock change is nowhere near as Disney, but every year as it gets warmer. I feel more positive about my choices. This year the summer means graduation and the end of 3 years of studying as well as the excitement of finding a job.

Last summer I had the opportunity to work for a charity called SEED/Breathe in Preston. Working full-time was much more enjoyable than lectures full-time, a chance to interact with others who have the same positive ideas for what the charity can achieve and how many people it could help.

This academic year I have been focused more on my job hunt and getting the best result possible for my degree. So I am hoping my Cinderella moment will happen sometime around 18th May when all is said and done.

Wish me luck and Hope that my prince charming of a job will find me soon

That’s All For Now

Amy

Keeping Accounts

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Those who know me well, will have seen my desk.

It tends to be FULL of paperwork and bits and bobs that have just landed there.

Majority of it useful, although as I look at my almost clear desk and see a toothbrush next to some stamps.

Some questions are best left unasked.

When it comes to my online “desktop” so to speak.

I’m pretty neat, I know all my passwords, which websites I am signed up to, which ones I’ve unsubscribed to and which ones I will never use.

In my current venture of becoming a photographer for hire, I have been using 3 email accounts, 1 payment account, 1 photo hosting site and additional promotion through Facebook and twitter.

Now I find myself coming to the point of transferring all this data into actual hard copy paperwork.

Time to evaluate whether what I have started is profitable or ever will be profitable for that fact.

Reflection was a curse word in my first and second year, now I am starting to understand the value of looking back on the work you have done before you go any further just to see if it is worth the effort you are putting in.

For the time being I am feeling positive about the way I have managed this new venture and the platforms is spreads across.

Only time will tell if the paperwork reflects the same positivity.

 

That’s All For Now

Amy

It’s All About, the About me

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160 Characters on twitter, as many words as you can type on a blog entry, your time line on facebook and an online lifetime of searches.

How much can a potential employeer find out about you online? and How much of it do you actually control?

I’m re-writing a lot of my info, I’ve taken control of what is displayed online and what can be found. Not that I’m afraid of what could be found, just it’s better to know what is out there than to be suprised by what is.

What 3 words can best describe a personality for workplace, home life and future aims? At the moment all I have is All About Me, on many platforms.

That’s All For Now
Amy

Milk, Two Sugars, Yes Boss

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Work your way to the top, should be taught at nursery. Not because children should be career focused, not at all, they should be playing games and imagining adventures. If you told them at a young age and explained the concept. It might stop graduates expecting to walk into the £80,000 a year job, when realistically most graduates will be lucky to get a job that pays minimum wage even then it might not be their dream career.

The part that sticks out is that most starting jobs end in assistant. The is not a bad thing, I repeat, THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. Having someone checking your work when you start in your industry is a great help, they can give you advice that they have learnt from their experience! Once again, I repeat, THEIR EXPERIENCE . No matter how many internships you have done, or placements or even part time jobs, the experience within that company will be different to the rest.

When writing CVs it can feel like you are making yourself the best person for the job, even making yourself sound better than sliced bread. During an interview you have to appear confident and let you personality shine through your answers. As soon as you start your job the role should change, it’s a new start, new company, new staff, it’s impossible to think you will be at the top of the pile after 5 minutes of walking in the door. It takes time to earn trust and get your badges of honour within any company.

So I am preparing by getting the kettle on and learning about all the combinations possible for a brew!

Now back to those job listings

That’s All For Now
Amy
@MissAJBurton

The Holidays : the difference between studying and working

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It is said that the school days are the best days of your life, dedicated breaks, set start and finishing times, occasionally you have to do homework and lots of holiday. It is all unpaid though, even when you move onto college, the hours are less and it’s subjects you’ve picked. There are more opportunities to get a part time job to gain an income but then the time you have to study decreases. Time management plays a big part as you carry on studying. When you move onto degree level depending on your course your hours increase not just on lecture time but in study hours and time to complete assignments and essays. The holidays become a chance to relax, albeit briefly, or a chance to catch up on some much needed reading. Even though loans are given, it’s never enough to live on with rising rent costs even for non university run accommodation and food not getting any cheaper. The holidays are one of the few perks of studying other than a passion to learn.

I have only been in full time employment 2x, both were over the summer break from university and I can happily say that the money coming in is better than the boredom of not earning. Although after a few months the university term was more than welcome back. The hours do get very heavy especially if you are not used to them. The wage packet you enjoy is a nice balance and choosing your holiday means that even though there is less time off overall, you can choose days from the whole year to take off opposed to just Easter, summer and Christmas. The job you do may not of been your dream job but there will be elements you enjoy even if it is simply the people you work with.

This is a topic open for discussion, let me know what you think of the time off for holidays? Have any key points been overlooked?

That’s all for now
Amy
@MissAjBurton