Nurturing home grown talent
17 Jun 2015
How Manchester Graduate Internship helps our students – and how it can help you
Manchester Graduate Internship Programme (MGIP) has successfully placed more than 700 graduates in a variety of organisations and local businesses, 250 at the University, since it started in 2008. And it has proved a tremendous experience all round. In this new series, StaffNet takes a look at why – and how it can help you.
Student Experience Officer Joe Beeso-Cope was a student this time last year, but to him it seems “a lifetime ago”.
And no wonder – his intern role has been filled with a huge variety of tasks and projects, some of them quite unexpected to say the least!
As well as addressing employability needs at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) – advertising roles to students, organising careers and employability events such as “meet the professionals” evenings with alumni along with two careers fairs – he created, supported and ran a School choir and organised and ran three football tournaments for staff and students.
On top of all that, he has been involved with both student representation and peers support in the School, which involves attending regular School Student Staff Liaison Committees and weekly PASS debriefs to support both the staff and students involved with this, and helped with general administration for the School, running the school social media channels, three separate newsletters and communications to students.
For despite it seeming so long ago, Joe hasn’t forgotten what it’s like to be a student and is inspired by them: “I have been able to support not only my team and the School but also all the amazing students we have in MACE, which makes the role all the more rewarding and helps to continue bringing forward enthusiasm and ideas.”
Joe, 22, who graduated with a BSocSc (Hons) in Social Anthropology, worked for the School’s Student Experience Manager Leanne Bradley.
He adds: “I have found this MGIP to be a really rewarding career decision, it has allowed me to gain valuable experience in a variety of different areas within the University structure and develop personally as well.
“It allowed me to ease into working life within the familiar setting of the university, which is definitely a huge bonus of the MGIP. I have been able to undertake new challenges within a great School in a great University, which has given me the confidence and the experience I need to progress from this role.
“The MGIP really gave me the opportunity to develop myself, it presented me with challenges to overcome and great chances to show what I can do, which has done wonders for my confidence!”
MGIP has also been a hit with colleagues hiring interns.
Emily McIntosh, Student Support, Advice and Guidance Manager, says: “Our interns have brought a fresh perspective, have a creative approach to their work and have offered lots of ideas about how we can engage better with students.”
Sue Hubbard, Student Recruitment & Admissions Manager, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, adds: “I would strongly recommend using the MGIP programme. The service provided by MGIP was great; they are very helpful and supportive. They advertise the role, contact applicants and inform applicants of decisions. For a busy office that’s really helpful as it means the process is often speedier than normal channels.
“As an institution we are proud of our graduates and this is a great opportunity for us to support them as take the first steps in their career.”
More information
For information on how to recruit an intern, visit: