Graduates and staff celebrate University of Bolton's first intern programme

At a special reception graduate interns gave presentations on their experience and talked about their progress.

The internships ran for six months with 18 graduate interns receiving an in-depth experience employed as staff members in a variety of departments.

Having worked across the campus, ranging from marketing and student participation to event management and research, the alumni now move on to pastures new.

"The graduate intern progress has been successful beyond our expectations," said Sue Duncan, University Registrar.

"We appreciate the effort and the difference the interns have made to the University. We hope they feel they have gained in their skills and they can use their time with us as a springboard for their future employment."

Sian Mulryan, who studied her degree in Business Management (Marketing), spent her time assisting on a new module evaluation questionnaire and the annual Health Mela hosted at the University.

Said Sian: "During my time on the internship I gained confidence and experience in event management, marketing, communications and in IT systems."

Steven Hood spent his period of employment at Bolton One promoting health and fitness and aiming to increase student participation in sport. Research by BUCs has shown that sport enhances graduate employability, teaching them skills such as teamwork, leadership and decision making.

Steven successfully started a weekly five-a-side football league on Thursday evenings for students as well as created a variety of events including bubble football, ski lessons and coordinating staff participation in the workplace games.

Sabina Ostman, who worked in the Marketing and Communications Department, said the internship was an invaluable learning opportunity that allowed her to make industry connections and build on her skills as a writer.

"I was given a lot of responsibility early on which has enabled me to grow, but I always felt safe because of the nature of the internship," said Sabina.

"I’ve held shared responsibility for writing the University’s press releases, the new prospectus, The Bolt magazine, and much more. I’ve also been part of interview and publishing processes and learned so much."

Katie Bamford, based in the University’s Bolton School of the Arts, worked on a student handbook and attended the Première Vision event in Paris on behalf of the University.

She explained that it gave her the opportunity to demonstrate and work one to one with students, passing on her experience as well as improving her own InDesign skills in producing the booklet.

The graduates are now beginning to search for jobs, with one already in full-time employment.

After the success of the initial scheme, the University will repeat it again next year aiming to recruit in 20 positions, to commence in October.