Leading on from our previous blog post about the Santander Internship Programme, I thought it would be cool to give you a more detailed overview of what I got up to and learned throughout my Probation period here at Social Progress Ltd – Yes there really was more to it than just “eating cake and tweeting about it!”
Janet interviewed me in November and amazingly decided to take me on as an Intern for 3 months from January 2015 through the Santander Internship Programme. The idea being that it would also be treated as my probation period, where at the end Janet would decide whether or not to offer me a contract to become an official member of the SoPro Team.
I did 3.5 days before Christmas 2014 as an intro to the business and met a few clients. Once January 2015 came, I was introduced to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google plus from a business perspective. Janet coached and trained me up on the social media platforms – and introduced me to Hootsuite as well – so that I could begin to do some content management asap. Within 2 weeks I was tweeting away, had set up a couple of Facebook Pages and had written a blog post for Social Progress! It felt good to be making a difference.
Janet introduced me to a LOT of people, clients, businessmen and women, BNI Terriers and other networking contacts. I couldn’t believe how many people she knew and they all spoke so highly of her. I knew I was in safe hands from the beginning but this was reassurance of that. Not long into the Internship Janet invited me to a few networking events. This was way out of my comfort zone but I jumped right in and (once I got over the nerves) I really enjoyed it. Since then I have set up and managed various client accounts, met many new people and eaten lots of cake!
A few things I have learned about so far are:
- Twitter hours
- Hootsuite
- What a “Boolean Search” is
- How awkward Google Plus is!!
- How to get more involved on LinkedIn
- Networking
- BNI – Business Networking International
- About Business Growth Schemes
- How awesome Janet Bebb is!
Nearing the end of February, Janet announced that she’d be able to offer me a 12 month contract starting from 1st April to become an official member of the SoPro Team. So I’m here to stay! Yeay!! I’ve still got loads to learn (who hasn’t?) but I’m excited to move onto the next chapter in my life.
Janet has encouraged and pushed me to do many things which I wouldn’t have thought I’d be able to do (or not do very well) and she’s already helped me to grow so much in just 4 months! I am so grateful to have a boss who I can have a good laugh with as well and learn so much from. If you don’t know Janet Bebb, you should get to know her.
Technically I have done 2 types of work experience in relation to University and I can highly recommend it for any student who wants to get to the next level in their working life. Experience is invaluable to getting into the real world of work. Grades don’t mean as much as your attitude and willingness to work hard at whatever you do. Whether you do 3 months or a placement year, it’s worth it! You never know, you may be offered a job at the end of it or it may at least open doors for you.
The Santander Internship Programme is also supported by the University of Huddersfield. First, Second and Penultimate Year students are eligible for the Summer Student Scheme. Graduates of the Past 2 Years are eligible for the Winter Graduate Scheme.
So if you think that the Santander Internship Programme is something you could be interested in, do get in touch with Suzanne Maynard at the University of Huddersfield to find out more.
Links:
www.hud.ac.uk/careers/employmentopportunities/internships
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