New Sciences Intern Review

There isn't a typical day-to-day role at BAT as working in such an innovative space means projects and tasks are ever changing. Over the year I worked on many projects but designed and managed one from start to finish. Every day I collaborate with external experts, keep up to date with the latest research, test new capabilities, and sometimes visit study sites! It's a lot of responsibility but I really enjoy it.

I developed so many skills! Presentation skills, time management, project management, lab skills just to name a few. BAT also has a placement team who have a program dedicated to developing professional skills - they arrange large scale presentations to stakeholders, CV workshops, and interview practise.

I was always given meaningful tasks that were truly valuable to the business. Not only did this give me great exposure to industry , it also meant I felt valued not as an intern but as a colleague. I was given huge responsibility in managing my own project, being a leader to my team and managing external companies and world experts. I was also given the responsibility of helping hire the next Intern.

BAT have a fantastic placement team. Right from the start they allocated every intern with a senior mentor for professional guidance and a buddy who was a friendly face to chat to anytime! All the Intern line managers at BAT have asked for an Intern specifically meaning they have a great attitude towards you and give support in everyway possible, even non work guidance e.g. university work. I felt very supported.

With 2020/21 being the year of Covid I wasn't expecting a lot of work atmosphere, I mainly worked from home. However everyone was very active in setting up team lunches or drinks at the pub, team building activities etc. BAT has a lot of clubs and a few of the Interns joined the football and cricket teams. I met up with people after work for drinks and catch ups.

I loved my placement. Everything from my team, the opportunities, the other interns, and the work itself was so fun and interesting. BAT internship applications are very vague so I didn't know what to expect but I have come out of this year with so many contacts and broader horizons. I would come back - and I know a lot of BAT interns do.

Yes

If you are applying to BAT the first place you want to look at is the BAT Science website. Here you can see everything we work towards and get some good company knowledge. You can also see the company ethos, which is what all employees fit. The interview process was quite quick, with a telephone interview first then a face to face one. My advice would be to show you are forward thinking and confident.