I was looking for some work experience within the university and this opportunity was perfect for me. Having already completed some work for the KE Work Programme, I knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of and the work seemed interesting and rewarding.
Career Connect
I had to complete an application form with questions such as why I wanted to work on the internship and to attend an interview with one of the PRE team.
KE work is at the centre of the University of Sheffield's Five-Year Vision and I wanted to be a part of ensuring that academic research is shared as widely and effectively as possible.
I reviewed the archive of narrative reports for KE projects the University has funded and extracted data to create a spreadsheet of all the key information.
I would scan the KE reports, read through each one and identify the key information within it, such as the funding type, the type of project and the academics and faculties involved. I would also identify particular areas of reflection for the KE team and note them within the spreadsheet.
I enjoyed the level of independent working I had, since I was able to work flexibly around my other activities and university work.
I found the remote nature of the work challenging at times, since I had to schedule meetings online or email when I encountered a problem I could not solve, however the team were quick to respond and there was always something I could be working on.
I used my research and analysis skills, in particular in drawing out key elements from a large body of text.
I have grown more confident in my digital skills which will benefit my future career.
It has helped me to get a feel for the types of work done within a university space that are not necessarily student-facing. This has broadened my awareness of different job opportunities and increased my knowledge of professional services.
Don't be afraid to ask a question if you're unsure, as it's better to check you're doing the right thing than to spend hours on a mistake!
Form completed: 20 Jun 2022