Placement and internship case studies

To get a real, valuable insight into the sector and to learn what the role of fundraiser within a charity entails.

Speculative application

I had to send a speculative email to my supervisor after which we arranged where and when I would come in.

I had previously worked with them before and knew of the great work they did, and had a contact with the Marketing, Communications and Fundraising Officer.

To generally assist the fundraiser where possible with jobs to include; accompanying her to events, arranging fundraising activities, making contact with donors, setting up fundraising evenings, and supporting current volunteers.

I would think of potential fundraising activities that could be implemented within events already arranged and prospective fundraising evenings to be put on in future and accompany the fundraiser to any meetings/events she had that day to observe.

The sense of creativity and being able to run my ideas past someone in the industry to get real, constructive feedback.

The independence of making phone calls, being trusted to implement my own ideas and having full run of the fundraising section in the week that my supervisor was away.

My written communication skills when contacting potential donors and verbal communication skills when calling funeral directors.

It has definitely enlightened me in the world of fundraising, making it a definite possible future career path for me to pursue.

Do more work experience in different sectors to find which I enjoy the most.

There is nothing more valuable that you can do whilst at university than work experience. It will give you that extra edge in future employment opportunities. And all you have to do is ask!