Innovation Intern Review

by Cancer Research UK

This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.

Rating

2.9/5
  • The Role
    3.3
  • The Company
    3.0
  • The Culture
    2.4

    The Role

  • 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

    • Not only did I gain invaluable hands-on experience one of the UK's biggest charities, I truly enjoyed the company culture and office environment. My team have been amazing, my day-to-day work has been really interesting, and everyone in the office is lovely. It has been great being in an atmosphere that feels like a large company but still holds its values as a charity.

    5/5
  • 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

    • I have really enjoyed working with the Innovation team. As well as being an interesting and inspiring team to work with, they have all been individually friendly, supportive and helpful. I have definitely felt more like a colleague than an intern.

    4/5
  • 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

    • My manager has ensured that I have weekly 121s with her in which I am able to speak to her about anything, work-related or otherwise. She has been amazing and looking over CVs and applications, as well as giving me advice for the future.

    4/5
  • 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

    • Due to the unpredictable nature of innovation, my workload varied depending on what project I was working on at the time. I always had various projects to manage and work on, and it was up to me to choose how I handled them in relation to their deadlines. Because of this, I was also able to work freely on my own projects such as intern fundraising.

    3/5
  • 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

    • As a CRUK intern, you definitely get given true responsibility and are treated as an actual member of the team. The team made sure that I knew the context of each of my tasks, so I knew what impact they were having in the larger-scale of the charity. It is definitely not an internship that has you making coffee!

    3/5
  • 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

    • The skills I have developed during my internship have already proven to have made an impact on my CV, having received offers via LinkedIn since updating it with my CRUK internship. The esteemed name that CRUK holds combined with

    3/5

    The Company

  • 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

    • Comfortable, positive and friendly.

    4/5
  • 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

    • It was very well organised. We were properly inducted during a one-day induction as well as throughout our first week, meeting not only our own team properly but also a range of others in the directorate so we really understood the structure of the charity.

    4/5
  • 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

    • I had weekly 121s with my manager, as well as the chance to sign up for a personal mentor for extra support. We also had really good personal training sessions such as CV workshops and presentation skills session.

    4/5
  • 10. What were the perks on your work placement?

    • Flexi Time

    Subsidised Canteen

    Travel loan
    2/5
  • 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

    • They encourage applications to internal vacancies and to the graduate scheme, but there does not seem much chance for being directly employed after the internship.

    2/5

    The Culture

  • 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

    • One of the interns set up regular Thursday drinks socials, with great end of placement dinners and drinks also. All the interns really meshed well together and I have made some lasting friends.

    4/5
  • 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

    • The cost of living and socialising in London is extremely high which does put some strain on you during the internship as it is unpaid. The lunch expenses just about cover food at the canteen. Whilst you gain some great experience during the internship, it is definitely difficult money-wise.

    1/5
  • 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

    • Some really nice local bars and pubs.

    3/5
  • 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

    • We had the opportunity to volunteer for a range of high-value fundraising events and activities.

    3/5
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Details

Internship (1 Month+)

London

November 2015

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