Intern name: Nyuykongver Afoni Christine

Studying: Masters in Human Resources Management at University of Worcester

Christine had been studying for her Masters for a year before taking up a 6-month internship with the Rivers CofE Academy Trust. Whilst working at the trust Christine worked on her final dissertation, collecting data for a research project on ‘The mediating role of work life balance on work engagement and its effect on job performance'.

For a student, internships provide a valuable opportunity to try out a potential career path. Christine undertook a six-month graduate internship with the trust and turned out to be a valuable member of the central team, carrying out administrative tasks.

Internship duties

• Worked alongside colleagues to provide HR administration guidance and support to schools
• Helped to create the Rivers Staff handbook
• Preparing recruitment documents - sending off reference requests,
• Updating staff profiles
• Posting job adverts on the intranet and Trust website
• Employment checks including DBS checks and right to work, qualification and medical checks.

What I have learnt during my internship?

The internship gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learnt at university to a real-world setting.

I have gained insight into the field of human resources and gained experience of being part of a team.

I have acquired valuable skilled that can be transferred to any job; time management; project management; teamwork; ability to work independently; communication and personal skills relevant to HR such as presentation, networking and interviewing skills.

I have improved my IT and data analysing skills and have used new software such as Microsoft Teams and a website content management system.

What has been the highlight of your internship?

I have enjoyed being involved in projects and assisting in setting up new processes and procedures.

I worked as part of the team that created a recruiting and onboarding programme that is now used across the trust. This was a beneficial project and one that will continue to be used, even when my internship has been completed.

"My time in the Rivers has been one of the most memorable of my life.

All along the way, I have been supported by colleagues who are always willing and ready to assist me whenever there was a need. I've learned a lot through my internship."

"I am confident that the skills I've acquired will be beneficial to my future professional success."

What are the benefits of an internship?

For me, the benefits have been the learning opportunities, gaining new skills, gaining experience in an area of work I wish to pursue as a career. I think an organisation benefits from the additional resource of an intern which can help to reduce workload.

Future plans

Christine plans to further her career in HR using the experience gained whilst at the Trust.