Insight Intern Review

I was given an insight into business operations at Shell - from management to energy pricing to finance to human resources. This was a well structured insight which involved company presentations, networking sessions, and activities. I was able to gain a real insight into what Shell is like as a company and the different routes into the company. It was emphasized that university is not the only route in, especially nowadays - where apprenticeships exist among other things.

I developed a lot of skills in networking. Previously I would feel nervous when speaking to adults, as this is a skill I have not yet fully learnt to master. I now feel confident when speaking to adults in very senior positions at a company such as Shell. I feel like I also improved my technical abilities, as we had a few sessions on the Microsoft Office products that employees at the company often use.

I gained a thorough understanding of the business and all of the potential roles available in the short time I had at Shell. This was achieved through presentations, networking events and activities. The workshops they put on gave me a real insight into the various routes into the company and the energy industry in general. There was an emphasis on the idea that it is not the degree subject that matters as much as your commercial abilities.

The company culture and general atmosphere was great. The energy industry is taking a bit of a beating at the moment, with the current cost of living crisis. However, I found that most of the people at Shell, including senior leaders, were genuinely nice to work with. I believe that the industry has gone through a lot of turbulence in recent years and many of the employees are hard working but also cordial towards customers.

I really enjoyed the insight. It was a good chance to explore my options for what I want to do after university. Indeed, I also met some students who were not actually going to university, which shows how inclusive the company are. We were made to feel welcome at all times by all of the people we encountered. This is not surprising as the industry is suffering a hit to its reputation but was nice nonetheless.

Yes

Try and key an open mind about the type of role you want at an energy company such as Shell. Shell is not just about energy extraction and scientific research but also very much about business opportunities. They have many roles in areas such as finance, human resources, marketing and procurement. These roles are suitable for students from all sorts of backgrounds. They also actively seek students from a range of pathways, so long as your skills set is good.