Innovation Intern Review

I really enjoyed my internship at Cancer Research UK. I supported my team, Innovation, on a variety of projects in different ways: from research based tasks, to administrative support, to taking the lead on the internal comms and internal fundraising for a national campaign.

I felt really valued and appreciated by my team. They all took the time to explain their own personal background and the projects they were working on so that I could gain as much as possible from the team while I was there.

I was given a lot of support by my manager, we had one three 1:1s during my time and he was always there to help with any questions or queries I had. I also felt very supported by the intern manager, who ensured we all kept up to date with tracking what we were involved in and taking note of the skills we were developing.

I was never short of things to do, there was always lots going on in the team that I could help with, as well as having my own projects to work on. During the fundraising campaign I was involved in I was really busy, but it was so much fun that I never felt under pressure, I just enjoyed it all!

I was given a sufficient amount of responsibility throughout my internship. I was charged with internal comms and internal fundraising for one of the campaigns, but with full support from the project leader. Also taking the lead on my own project was really valuable and the work I did throughout the internship ended up being used in an Innovation workshop which was really rewarding.

I had already graduated from university when I began the internship, and the skills I gained have been so valuable and absolutely essential to preparing me for getting a job after it - which I have successfully done, at the same company. My internship was crucial to getting me this current job so I cannot speak highly enough of the placement and how it prepared me for beginning my career.

The atmosphere is quite laid back, it's a huge office so there are loads of people working there but everyone is so friendly and willing to help. I appreciated that it didn't feel like a high-pressured environment, as everyone was self-motivated enough working for a good cause. Things like the smart-casual dress code and the communal kitchens make it a really friendly and welcoming environment in which to work.

The placement was very well organised, there was an intern manager dedicated to organising the internship program and ensuring its smooth running. There was a clear structure to the internship, and the induction day was really well organised, with introductions to all areas of the organisation.

I felt the company really invested in me and really appreciated my involvement in the charity. The internship program ensured that the personal development of all the interns was monitored in 1:1 meetings with managers, and the intern manager was always around to help with questions regarding the internship. My team all took the time to explain what they were working on and really appreciated all the work I did which felt like a real investment in me and my own personal development.

Very appealing. I succeeded in securing a job after my internship finished within the organisation. It was in a completely different area of the company, so was completely different to the work I did on my internship, however the job was only advertised internally so I could not have applied without having already worked for CRUK. The organisation is very appreciative of the work the interns do and therefore always ensures they get the best chance at finding a job (within the organisation or outside of it) as much as possible.

There was a great social scene among fellow interns and colleagues. My team involved me in all social activities they were doing together, and even invited me to networking events they were part of. The social scene among the interns was also great - we went for drinks regularly and had lunch together most days. We also took part in intern fundraising projects for the charity which meant I got to know most of the other interns, and these events were all really fun to be part of.

London is very expensive to live in, and although Angel is slightly less expensive than areas of central London it was pretty similar. The internship was unpaid, however expenses were paid which was very useful, so I could expense all my weekly travel and had a daily allowance for lunches. However, I would not have been able to afford to live in London and undertake the internship without the support of my parents. We got some local discounts, however, which was great.

Great! The Angel area of London has fantastic restaurants, bars and things like theatres and cinemas. London in general also has great nightlife, which I explored more on weekends outside of my circle of work friends. There are lots of great bars around the office and we got a lot of local discounts working at CRUK which was great.

Yes, lots. As I mentioned before, my team involved me in events they were part of eg. networking events and workshops. And as interns we took part in and organised lots of intern fundraising activities, some of which took place outside of work. I also got the chance to go to a national radio station event as part of the campaign I was working on which was so exciting!