Category: Student stories

My SME Internship: Ellie – Disability Inc. 

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Hi, my name is Ellie, and I’m a PhD student in the Life Sciences Building. I carried out a 4-week SME internship in a social enterprise, Disability.Inc., which is part of a charity called WECIL. 

The internship was in the workASSURED team, who aim to remove in-work barriers for Disabled staff by providing recommendations about reasonable adjustments. I initially shadowed meetings with staff, their managers, and their HR contact and I worked with a colleague to write-up the recommendations reports. By the end of the internship, I took on my own case, which definitely pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but also showed me how much I’d learnt during my internship.

Ellie, a wheelchair user wearing an orange jumper, is smiling at the camera. She is sat on a pier next to crashing waves.
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My SME Internship: Gunjan – PANDEK

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Hello, I’m Gunjan, studying an MSc in Marketing. I had the incredible opportunity to intern as a marketing and copywriting specialist at PANDEK in Bristol. 

My transformative internship experience

A photo of Gunjan in London

This SME internship was a perfect fit for my career aspirations, focusing on marketing strategies and content development that aligned seamlessly with my academic background and personal interests. 

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My SME Internship: Helen – Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre

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Hi, my name’s Helen. While studying for my History MA, I undertook an SME Internship at the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust.  

The Trust is a non-profit charity which maintains the bridge, educating the public on its historical significance. During my internship I worked at the museum and visitor’s centre on the Leigh Woods side of the river.   

A photo of Helen, smiling outdoors in the sunshine.
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Graduate stories: my reflections on stumbling into the Civil Service Fast Stream

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My name is Tom, and I work as a strategy officer in the government’s Ministry of Justice, as part of the Civil Service Fast stream. Here I am, outside the Victoria rooms in August 2023, graduating with a degree in chemistry.

This day was marked with smiles in the pictures, but a heavy heart. I was sad to be leaving behind my university years and making the step into the world of work.

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Start-up stories: Floom Creative

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Floom Creative is a sustainable and ethical brand marketing agency specialising in nurturing organisations with values rooted in environmental and ethical consciousness.

The Floom Creative logo, which shows that they are a Certified B Corporation.

Harvey, one of Floom’s directors, tells us his story of graduating from the University of Bristol and how his degree inspired him to create Floom as a vehicle for businesses to share their sustainability stories authentically and impactfully.

Can you tell us a bit about your start-up?

Our team offers a unique blend of experience, combining my in-depth sustainability knowledge from completing an MSc in Environmental Policy at Bristol University in 2022, with fellow Director, Fin’s expertise in video production and documentary making.

We specialise in creating narratives for brands that have their values rooted in environmental and ethical consciousness.

In September 2024, Floom became B Corp Certified, a significant milestone reflecting our dedication to meeting high social and environmental performance standards.

A photo of Harvey, standing outside in the sunshine with trees in the background.

Our collaborative approach ensures businesses can access the best of both worlds: striking visuals and data-driven marketing that maximise a brand’s reach and impact.

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My SME Internship: Max – The Education Company

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Hi, my name is Max. I graduated in 2023 with a Physics BSc. The SME Internship Scheme gave me the opportunity to source a 4-week internship at a small/medium company I found interesting. 

A photo of Max, smiling outdoors.

In December 2023, I interned with The Education Company as a data analyst. The Education Company provide insights to the education industry – my role was to see how Python could be integrated into their analytical techniques. 

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My SME Internship: Ollie – Rebellious Co

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Hi, I’m Ollie and during my second year studying Politics and International Relations BSc I completed an internship with Rebellious Co in Bristol. 

Rebellious Co. operate informal “Rebel Meetup” events for entrepreneurs working all over the world who were born in Bristol. Their aim is to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to disrupt the status quo. I met the founder Ash at the Bristol chapter, where I suggested the SME Internship idea. 

Ollie, smiling outside in the sunshine, wearing a white shirt, with a backdrop of lush green trees and blue sky.

My role was to research, develop, and add a syndicate investment model to the existing community system. This work aligned with my interests in start ups and venture capital and helped me hone my skills.

I also supported Rebel Meetups globally. This included finding event sponsors, editing slides, and joining town hall events with global meetup hosts. 

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Hidden benefits of the Bristol PLUS Award: From Internships to preparing you for post-graduate life!

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The Bristol PLUS Award logo

Hear from 4th year MSc Chemistry student, Zahria, who achieved her Bristol PLUS Award in the 2023-24 Academic Year, whilst also securing a summer internship with telecommunications company BT! 

How has PLUS prepared you for your future once you leave university?

The Bristol PLUS Award has played a great role in preparing me for life beyond university by giving me a clearer understanding of navigating my career journey. It also opened my eyes to many career resources available at the university, that I would otherwise not have known about!

The activities required to achieve the PLUS Award helped me build and showcase key transferable skills that employers value such as teamwork, communication and time management.

Zahria smiling on a beach
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Five unexpected transferable skills a PhD can offer for your future career

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It is a common misconception that choosing to do a PhD narrows your career pathway to the world of academia. However, for many of our alumni, the skills and experiences they gained during their research degree have led to a range of diverse and exciting careers outside of academic research.  

A new series of postgraduate research alumni profiles, supported by Research England’s Enhancing Research Culture funding, showcases this diversity. Alumni stories from across Arts, Engineering, Science, Health, and Life Sciences reveal the breadth of skills and experiences a PhD can provide.

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