Intern Review

It was a thoroughly enriching time especially since we got to gain a new insight on the daily work and events that Fast Streamers are involved in. Meeting new people from a variety of disciplines and from different universities was also a really exciting experience. I am really grateful for my mentors because they were so encouraging and patient with us. While it seemed as though we were suddenly put to complete a task that we were completely unfamiliar with, the mentors were happy to help and kept encouraging us to ask questions, so that made us more comfortable with what we were doing and we were not as stressed out.

We were able to get involved in helping one of our mentors with her work. We were able to work together with our mentors directly and they were very approachable. They also encouraged us to keep asking questions so that we could find out more about what they did and to ensure that we were totally clear about what we had to do. They gave us constructive feedback on our performance and work, and I found that really helpful, especially for my presentation skills.

There was support and guidance throughout the entire program, right from the moment you enter the venue of the opening reception. The coordinators were extremely helpful and were able to answer most of my queries. The mentors on the program were also very knowledgeable in what they did and about the rest of their department as well as about the Civil Service in its entirety. I felt really comfortable as I was able to communicate with them without restraint.

The insight was really helpful as I was able to work on my communication skills especially because we had to work in pairs with people we barely knew. I was really fortunate that me and my partner got on pretty well. Being quite a reserved person, it took a lot for me to step out of my comfort zone to talk to the people on the same program. However, I was really glad to find that everyone was really accommodating and friendly, and I was able to forge really strong bonds with quite a few people there. In terms of the work shadowing, it gave me an opportunity to experience first-hand what the work at the Civil Service would be like. It also helped me to hone my organisational, presentation and analytical skills in a professional environment, which are extremely key skills for university and my future career.

The overall structure was really great. I felt that it was well-planned for us and that generally, we were clear about what we were doing, or going to do. I am grateful that they provided us with our schedule for the week in advance so that we could preempt what we were going to do. I was also glad that they included other activities besides just working as this was engaging and helpful to us as well. However, I do hope that in the future, information on travel and expenses can be disseminated earlier so that we are able to make plans, since gathering from what other people faced, many accommodation options nearby were all booked up or had become more expensive as we were unable to make travel arrangements earlier. Overall, it was really great though. One week is definitely not enough!

Overall, the people we met were very friendly and approachable, which was the complete opposite of my expectation of unapproachable and intimidating individuals in an austere place. The speakers invited were also very inspiring. The fellow interns on the program were also very, very nice and I am very glad to have met everyone, including the mentors.

I was surprised that there were a lot of activities and events planned for us to help us with our personal development, including aspects like networking and inviting guest speakers to inspire us. I was also happy to find out that we were guided through the entire week, which demonstrated that there was dedication in helping us and that we were not the typical and mere interns. This has been unlike any other internship I have heard about because there was a lot included to help us.

Since it was a short program, it was quite difficult to be completely exposed to all aspects of the work done at the Civil Service, especially because there are so many departments and areas of focus, However, our mentor did share her experience as a Fast Streamer in quite a lot of detail, so that was really helpful.

Yes. I realised that it is a very dynamic workplace that is open to innovation and new ideas. It is quite unlike the stereotypical perception of the Civil Service as a very traditional and conservative institution. Work gets done quickly, people are professional and helpful, but it is overall a very dynamic and interesting place to work in, which I hope to do so in the future

It made me even more motivated to join the Civil Service as I realised how exciting and how wide the scope of work a Fast Streamer does in his or her time there. I also found out that there are lots of programs and opportunities available for personal development during one's time in the Civil Service, which makes it a very appealing future employer for me.

We were reimbursed for our travel expenses and for accommodation during the program. This was regardless of whether you were based in London or not.

There were so many chances to meet all sorts of people. I was introduced to new and different individuals everyday. This was regardless of whether they were my fellow interns, Fast Streamers, coordinators, mentors, people from the department we were working in, people from the building and others from charities and others from NGOs.

The many opportunities for me to connect and interact with other people made me more comfortable to talk about myself and to listen more intently and deeply to what others had to say. These took place in very comfortable and social situations. Overall, I think that this week under the program has really helped to boost my confidence in being able to make a good impression of myself in front of new people.

Our mentors were really helpful as they shared their experiences and life with the Civil Service. They also told us about how it was to move from smaller cities into London and how they managed to adapt and eventually get used to the life and routine there. This was encouraging since I am not from London, and their sharing was useful, should I ever have to move to the capital to work, especially for the Civil Service.

Definitely. It is a very unique experience that I will definitely remember for a very long time. It is not an everyday thing that one can experience what the Civil Service is like and to be able to explore new places and areas of interest. It is also a good chance to see if such work would interest you and is suited for you.