Your Future, Start Now: Louise
Louise Gordon shares her experiences of participating in the Your Future, Start Now Internship Programme.
My story – Louise Gordon
- Course: Geography and Sustainable Development
- Year of study when you completed this internship: Second
- Employer: PeachyKeen
Why did you sign up for Your Future, Start Now?
I signed up to the programme to gain employability skills and to help bridge the gap between university and the workplace. As employers are often looking for interns in their penultimate year, I was happy to see the internship opportunity was open to first and second years. I was also hoping to enhance my CV and improve my LinkedIn knowledge.
How did you find the 5-week workshop programme?
I was aiming to learn about LinkedIn through the programme and I achieved this. I started with very little on my page and have now connected with people from the course as well as guest speakers, which was a great way to kick start my profile. The guest speakers were a fundamental part of the programme, and the wide variety gave an interesting insight into a range of careers.
Furthermore, I really enjoyed the sections on CV and cover letter advice. I found it beneficial to understand what employers are looking for, and although I already had a CV it helped to improve and adapt it.
Also, I particularly enjoyed the problem-solving session where we were split into groups to solve issues in a pretend workplace. This was an opportunity to listen to other people and mutually agree a solution.
I found managing my academic work alongside the workshops not too difficult. This was because I made sure to stay focused and productive throughout the day so I could attend the workshop feeling relaxed and ready to learn. I made sure to take a note of when all the workshops were so I could attend them all and reach the required attendance to qualify for an internship.
Tell us a little about your internship
My internship was with PeachyKeen, a company which designs and manufactures products that utilise human movement to generate electricity; the electronics to manage electricity; and the activities to utilities the energy – with a focus on the Play Area/Fitness sectors. They also have an events section which acts as their ‘shop window’.
My task was to research and design an outdoor, multi-functional Play Area Station that generates electricity, utilising redundant or repurposed materials to follow a circular economy model. At the end of the week, I presented my proposal to the team. I decided to focus on East Sands play park in St Andrews and revamped it to follow a seaside theme. I used existing materials in the park and for new structures I suggested using discarded fishnets, as they can be pelletised and moulded, which follows a circular economy model.
What skills did you learn and how did you put them into practice during the internship?
The internship challenged my creativity and critical thinking. I was not overly familiar with product design prior to the placement, so it allowed me to be creative and think outside the box.
My communication skills were improved through a presentation I delivered at the end of the week. It was challenging to use terminology I wasn’t long introduced to, but this added to the satisfaction of the internship.
My confidence was improved throughout the entire YFSN programme, and the internship was the final step. Going into a workplace where I felt slightly out of my depth was nerve-racking but extremely beneficial, as going out of your comfort zone is rewarding and a great way to learn. Delivering a presentation and being given positive feedback was the perfect confidence boost.
The best element of the internship was that it expanded my knowledge of the sustainability industry and opened my eyes to the range of career possibilities within sustainability.
What’s next for you in your career journey?
I’m looking forward to starting third year in September where I will continue with Geography and Sustainable Development. This summer I will be working at Bristol Zoo, which is a completely new experience for me, but one I am very excited for. I am hoping to also volunteer with an environmental charity through the summer.
I know I want to be involved in the sustainability industry after university, but am unsure of the exact career, so I am trying to keep my options open through a wide variety of experiences for now.
What would you say to someone considering signing up for Your Future, Start Now?
I would highly recommend signing up for the YFSN programme. It is a great chance to develop a range of skills, which will inevitably give you more confidence when you enter the workplace. Everyone involved in the programme was very friendly and it was a great opportunity to get more involved with the Careers Centre.