Resourcing Intern, Cancer Research UK Review

The people are so so kind and willing to help you, they will do all they can to support you and explain how things work. I have felt very looked after. I was given a lot of responsibility and to know that my project will actually be integral to the organisation is so exciting and rewarding - and I never once had to do the tea run!

They were very appreciative of everything I did, and were always letting me know how valuable my work was, and how thankful they were. They often returned the favour by helping me with job applications, and giving me career advice,and I felt very involved and included by the team.

I was left to work independently a lot, but it was a positive experience in taking initiative. If I wanted support, they were always more than happy to help. It was a changeable time for the team, and a very busy environment, so I often was left alone with my work, but as I said, this was a valuable experience, and I rarely felt lost.

There were the odd weeks where I completed work quicker than expected, and they had to look for new jobs for me to do. However, on the whole, I was rarely bored, and usually had quite a lot to do - it was never overwhelming, but I almost always had something.

I was responsible for a large independent project, which will be integral to my department. I have been included in their meetings, and my opinions were always asked for and valued.

My placement taught me valuable skills in taking initiative, administration (which as a new graduate is important for the majority of roles I will apply for), and how the large organisation works. It gave me great independence and the confidence in my knowledge and ability is invaluable.

Everyone was so kind and helpful, and even people I had never met before were willing to help me and give me advice. I felt very comfortable and happy. My team was going through a difficult period of change, and it was very busy and a little chaotic at times, but we all helped one another through and ensured everyone was ok.

It was very well organised - we had an induction, and a mentor, and there was a team who had overall responsibiltiy for the interns - at all times I felt looked after, even during a very changeable period in the team. There was a specific project I was given to work on, which I have continued throughout my placement.

We recieved a CV and Interview training day, which was extremely helpful, especially since I am currently looking for a job. If I wanted advice, my team would help as much as possible. The majority of the skills I developed, were because I threw myself into the placement, and made sure that I got as much from it as possible.

We have access to the internal jobs page, and my team are trying extremely hard to find opportunities for me to stay. If a relevant job was available, I am sure they would do all they could to help me go for it. I know of many colleagues who began as interns.

I started up a fundraising group while there, and tried to go for lunch with the interns each day. However, we organised everything independently of the scheme. I would perhaps have enjoyed more organised social events. There was a good community of interns though, as the scheme has about 40-50 people!

Very expensive - it's London!!! The food allowance was about right, but I could not afford to buy anything outside of this.

It's London - so, vast, but expensive! I was living with family and so I did not feel as though I could throw myself into it, as I did not want to disrupt them too much.

Again, it's London, so there is plenty to do, but as I said, I did not feel as though I could return home too late, as I felt responsibility to the family I was staying with.