Work Experience Opportunities 2022
We are committed to developing work-ready graduates and are focussed on offering our students access to valuable and impactful work experience opportunities.
We are currently seeking employers to partner with us to deliver the below internship and work shadowing programmes.
Attracting and retaining the very best talent is important for any ambitious company.
Work Shadowing
What? Organisations may host up to five students for 1 day of work shadowing. Work shadowing differs from internships and placements as it’s informal and unpaid and lasts for only one day. The purpose is to get an insight rather than to gain hands-on practical experience.
Who? Open to all students but with a particular emphasis on student groups who are more likely to be under-represented in the graduate labour market.
When? ‘Work Shadowing Week’, annual event
Why? This is an opportunity to increase your brand profile on campus and to expose students to your company values. It offers graduate recruiters an early insight into student motivations and priorities when it comes to career planning and what they are looking for in a graduate role.
Benefits to students: Bringing a job to life and helping them to decide if a particular career is right for them, work shadowing gives students the opportunity to observe professionals in the workplace.
SME Impact Project
What? The Impact Project is designed to facilitate students with work experience where they can deliver on a short sharp project in your organisation.
Who? Ideally suited to second and third year students, but open to all undergraduate levels. MSc students may also be considered upon request. SME Impact Projects are designed to particularly serve student groups who are more likely to be under-represented in the graduate labour market.
When? 4 weeks approximately 25 hours per week in summer 2022. All internship vacancies should ideally be advertised before 11 March and interns recruited before 01 April 2022.
Why? Funded through Careers. Employability and Skills, through the provision of a £1,000 bursary, the Impact Project gives you access to enthusiastic students who are keen to roll up their sleeves and make an impact.
Benefits to students: Impact Projects give students the opportunity to gain valuable employability skills and the opportunity to be considered for Queen’s Degree Plus Employability Award.
SME Summer 8-Week Internship
Funding type: Match Funded
What? Student(s) experience an immersive period of work experience throughout the summer where they again valuable experience and add value to your organisation.
When? 4 weeks Spring/Summer 2022. All internship vacancies should ideally be advertised before 11 March and interns recruited before 01 April 2022.
Who? Ideally positioned for students currently in final year or preparing to go into final year, you will be providing a valuable opportunity for them to gain experience in preparation for employment. Open to all undergraduate levels. MSc students may also be considered upon request. Funded summer internships are designed to particularly serve student groups who are more likely to be under-represented in the graduate labour market.
Why? Summer internships allow you to employ a student for up to 8 weeks giving you fantastic insight into their skills, aptitude and cultural fit. Participating employers will be reimbursed up to the value of £1,250 (employer national insurance and any remaining salary fall to the host employer).
Benefits to students: Summer Internship participants can build up their CV with real-world experience. They will also qualify for Degree Plus certification.
Why host an internship?
By hosting an intern, you will benefit from:
- Enthusiasm and fresh perspectives
- Problem solving for specific projects
- An inexpensive resource
- Technology and social media savvy talent
- Opportunity to test out potential hires
- Current employee development through mentorship
We have optimistic plans in place for in-person internships and a gradual return to normal in 2022. However, we are also planning for a flexible approach which may involve virtual internships.
We have put together the following guide to help you deliver and benefit from this innovative approach to internships.