Development and Volunteering Intern Review

I really enjoyed my internship at Cancer Research UK as it gave me a great insight into the charity sector and allowed me to complete independent projects as well as get involved with a variety of teams across the charity.

I was in a regional team and therefore many of my colleagues were regionally based and therefore only met them on a couple of occasions throughout the internship. I think at times, many of the team forgot or were unaware that there was an intern in the team to help on tasks if needed

I was left to work independently on the majority of my tasks (which I enjoyed) but there was support and advice from my manager or other team members if needed. I had weekly phone calls with my manager to update him on my progress and discuss on challenges or questions I had.

It varied considerably throughout the internship as some weeks I had multiple tasks and projects to manage and deadlines to meet whereas other weeks I have very little to do

I was given research reports and tasks to completely independently and using my own ideas and initiative. I enjoyed being given this responsibility and progressed throughout the internship to be giving more responsibility (i.e. in testing going from note-taker to being able to conduct the interviews by myself)

I have been involved in a variety of different projects and teams throughout the placement and therefore have gained a number of invaluable skills that will be really important in my future career and ones that I did not have beforehand

Cancer Research UK has a really good atmosphere with a casual vibe and many friendly staff. As a very large organisation, you obviously don't get to the majority of the staff at the organisation however when you do cross paths, everybody is very friendly and supportive. In general, the office constantly has stuff going i.e. events, fundraising, free stuff in the kitchens to it is enjoyable to be in the office

The internship programme is very well organised from start to finish with a designated intern co-ordinator who manages all the interns within the large organisation. This meant that we had the opportunity to be involved in a number of things such as skills workshops and our own intern fundraising which developed more skills and gave us a different side to the placement than just our particular job role

Lots of skills workshops such as how to develop your CV, cover letter and interview skills

I really liked the organisation and have already applied to a couple of internal jobs in different teams as it is a good atmosphere as well as being a well-established charity that is doing amazing work in the field of cancer research and therefore somewhere I would be proud to work

Very social - one intern acted as a Social Sec and organised almost weekly drinks as well as a couple of big socials throughout such as a leaving dinner and drinks. We also always socialised throughout the working day at lunchtimes and getting involved with intern fundraising also meant working as a team with other interns

London is very expensive but I lived at home (Hertfordshire) throughout the internship with expenses of travel and lunch covered by the company. However, socialising after work was expensive

Was ok - lots of pubs and bars where we got a staff discount for being part of Cancer Research UK and we organised a fundraising pub quiz at one of the local pubs near the office who were really accommodating. Also being near a tube made it easy to get to other places easily and quickly

Yes a few such as sports teams