Strategy Intern Review

Enjoyed the internship very much. The internship had a multi-faceted approach in aiding my development. The aspect of working closely with my team and gaining responsibility; collaborating with just the other interns on separate projects; and workshops specific to my job role and for my broader self-development made this internship very enjoyable as a first step in my career.

The work my team gave me was alongside what the team were working on. Luckily my team was quite small compared to other interns hence I was seen as an additional team member rather just an intern. This was exemplified by supporting team members on project work, understanding their day-to-day responsibilities and pushing me to understand the nature of their position within the organisation.

The support from my manager was great. Luckily, we managed to build a personal and professional relationship quite quickly hence weekly feedback meetings were not tense experiences but a true opportunity to give feedback to my manager and also receive feedback. He made it very clear in giving support and even personally messaging me about my well-being or other project work I was working on to see if I had any problems.

Varied massively, at times I was really busy and times I controlled my workflow where it was a good balance and then times where I was not busy at all. As the project work ramps up during the internship, you start to become increasingly busy especially when the team trusts you deliver projects. However, there are opportunities available outside project work to be busy from intern fundraisers to shadowing other colleagues to volunteering. So the options are definitely there but not as evenly spread out.

I was expected to drive and deliver my own projects once prompted. I was able to see the link between the work I was given to the broader piece of work for the team. This alone allowed me to feel I had a lot of responsibility and made it better when getting feedback on my work as I can see the impact I had on the team.

I studied a completely different course from what I pursed at CRUK. The bonus was the development was given formally and informally. All interns have compulsory skill sessions such as project management and career awareness that I recommend. However, are opportunities to go further and take workshops that are open for the entire organisation which were a great add-on. Also, my team place emphasis on development within the team hence the team regularly have development sessions in various formats.

Fun, relaxed and inclusive. A welcoming atmosphere from the get-go plus the office is brand new hence its very aesthetically pleasing.

Very organised from the development side where there was key things that focused on my development like 1-2-1 feedbacks with my project manager, arranging a buddy, intern fundraisers and volunteering. From my perspective the team were quite good in giving me work to do and prepared where I can give my input. However from other interns, I have heard some teams were not that prepared at all.

A lot mentioned in full breadth above.

At the moment the firm are on a hiring freeze due to the coronavirus but also internal stuff going on. However, the internship experience is a great way to access the internal hiring page and they have also recently set up an intern alumni page for ex interns to come back to CRUK if they want to.

Yes, at the first I was bit worried about the amount of intern interaction however these are intended for the interns to form relationships organically. Hence creating a good social scene where interns will have lunch organically or go for after work drinks or even bowling. Doing this internship within a cohort made perfect sense.

Based in East London, the surrounding areas are Stratford, Hackney, Hackney Wick and Canning Town. These places tend to be cheaper than working in Central London or working towards West London e.g. Hammersmith. However, the cost of living is still high because its London. East London has a good reputation for socialising and the surrounding areas of Stratford do offer that.

Well the interns had post-work activities to get to know one another. The office is based in Stratford, East London where there are recent developments such as Stratford Westfield. Literally, a two minute walk from the office. Also Central London is not too far away with just a 20 minute tube journey on both the central and jubilee line

I haven't personally however I have heard there is opportunity to join a choir, yoga and etc. Also, the office is opposite London aquatics centre in the Olympic Park so sports and fitness is not too far away from the office as well. Additionally, fundraising and volunteering is a major part of CRUK so getting involved with that aspect of the charity is quite fun also.