M M U INTERNS:THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE

CONTENTS

Diary of an Intern i

Veterans’ Voice iii

The Great Experience v

From the Heart vii

Dress Code x

To do list xi

Essential LinksEssential Links xii

Paul W alsh

Organisation, Developm ent

& Training Officer

One thing that I have learnt from the interns w ho have

gone before you is that it’s these challenges that you

learn new skills, grow in confidence, develop som e

great professional relationships and, hopefully, long

lasting friendships. Along the w ay, you w ill get support

from your m anager, w ork colleagues, people like m e

w ho are here to support your professional

developm ent and, above all, your fellow interns. Take a developm ent and, above all, your fellow interns. Take a

few m inutes to look through this guide and benefit from

som e hard w on lessons and insights from those w ho,

in January 2012, w ere sat w here you are today...

Enjoy the journey”

"The internship journey

w ill be different for you

all - but w hat you all

have in com m on is that

having experenced life

as a student at M M U, you

w ill now get the view

from the inside as you from the inside as you

join over 4,000 staff

w ho do their best to

m ake the University tick.

Starting a new role in an

organisation as big as

M M U can seem daunting

and there’s no doubt

you’ll experience highs

and low s over the next

few m onths.

i

Diary of an Intern’s Mind

I know you know more than I do,but as a fresh graduate I havedifferent perspectives and attitudes, so do talk to me; I mightbring fresh ideas to your projects.

Dear colleague, I am not spying on you, I am one of you!

No, I am not stuck

to the chair.

I want you to see

that I am working

as hard as you.

If I could have one wish,I would like to have a photographic memory.But invisibilitiy? I don’t think so!I am here... hello?

I have great ideas too.Let me speak!

ii

At the end of the day, I am new to the role so,Academic Staff, I would greatlyappreciate your help,support and guidance with my work.

I like a challenge!So, please do not be afraidto give me difficult tasks.I am sure that with yoursupervision I will beSUCCESSFUL!

‘That will be all Moodle announcementsdeleted.’ I apologise for my mistakes,I am still learning! (True story!)

I am always eager

to help.

However, trust me,

I already

know how the print

ers work.

We are best frien

ds by now!

I do not have the power to make people dowhat I ask them... at least not just yet;but please, do not ignore me and spare a few minutes to answer my email.

Kind regards, Intern

Diary of an Intern’s mind

THE FIRST INTAKE OF INTERNS, JAN 2012

Take your lunch break - you

deserve it! Eating in a rush at

your desk won’t help your

digestion. Also think about the

keyboard... you’re not saving

those crumbs for later!

iii

Your ideas matter so don’t be

afraid to share them with your

supervisor. Remember, not

even Einstein had many

supporters at the very

beginning!

The main aim of your role as an

Intern is to bring new ideas to the

institution. Do not panic when you

feel you have no work to do... take a

walk and think about how else you

could contribute to MMU.

It may take a couple of months

to understand the running of

your department... but this is

to be expected when you are new

to the team.

We know that you could complete

the project you are working on in

one week if not sooner. After

your dissertation, everything

seems like a piece of cake, but

don’t worry... distribute your

work through the week.

RememRemember every day could bring

fresh ideas. Spread your wings

and relax.

VETERANS’ VOICE

THE FIRST INTAKE OF INTERNS, JAN 2012

Remember you are not alone.

You have the chance to

participate in the Intern

DeDevelopment Programme where

the awesome Paul Walsh will

help to ease your worries. You

will also meet other Interns

who might be as nervous as you

are. Together you can survive

the biggest challenges; meeting

not not only socially but also in

search of professional aid.

Together, we get stronger!

iv

Ending your emails with; ‘Kind

Regards, MMU Intern’ does not

help to build a professional

image. Discuss your role title

with your supervisor. Whether

you create something general

such as ‘Project Coordinator’ or

sosomething more specific, it will

help you feel part of a

professional community.

Do not be afraid to chase up

information that you need for a

task or project. If you have no

success after the second

attempt, ask your line manager

for advice on what to do next.

Attend as many free workshops

that are offered for MMU staff

as you can; you will always

learn something new (see

Essential Links).

Attending these sessions may

also help you to develop

relrelationships with other

memmembers of staff, they are more

experienced than you are so talk

to them, ask questions, and

express your interests. Share

your ideas and concerns. You

never know, this might help with

your future career plans. This is

yoyour opportunity to come up

with ideas for future

development.

VETERANS’ VOICE

This is your opportunity to build up your professional network. Not only with University staff,

but also with other Interns who, just like you, are trying to climb the career ladder. You can

exchange information, support each other and who knows, maybe even start creating business

plans together!

Except for doing bits and bobs, you will be given at least one major project to work on. This is

your opportunity to prove that you have a number of useful skills such as time management,

organisation, critical thinking and the ability to plan. At the same time, you may discover any

weaknesses or areas you may need to work on.

It will look good on your CV.

Out of all the graduates who applied, the interview panel chose YOU.

This decision demonstrates their trust in your ability.

THE

GREATEXPERIENCE

v

When your time as an Intern is coming to an end, MMU will give you advice on how to create

a brilliant CV, how to search and apply for a new job and provide information on the do’s

and don’ts when it comes to interviews. You cannot turn down help like that!

During your internship you will work with staff at all levels; students, academics, project

co-ordinators and managers. It is your time to learn how to be assertive, to express your

opinions, present a professional image and build up a good rapport with people from

different levels within the university.

Your time as an intern is a great opportunity to think about what you want to do when your

internship ends. It gives you time to reect on your skills, interests and ultimately, what

career path you wish to pursue. You may realise that you like some projects better than others;

that you love working with people or that you would rather work on your own initiative.

Dealing with new tasks will probably widen your interests; you might discover a new you and

have a different perspective on your future.

You will be allocated tasks and projects to complete, and often you will have to take the lead.

But do not panic; this freedom demonstrates you will be treated as a young professional. This

should give you con dence when it comes to the next stage of your career.

vi

THE

GREATEXPERIENCE

“My internship has been an experience to remember, giving me an insight into how MMU works, and has enabled me

to practically apply skills learnt at undergraduate and postgraduate level. As ever, one of the most important

aspects of any work experience are the people and the support they offer. My fellow interns have made this

experience so much more enjoyable and fulfilling. The internship has enabled me to pursue my desired career and

for that I am thankful. In all, I have thoroughly enjoyed being an MMU Intern.” Ian Shaw

“Enjoy the internship, get to know all the fellow interns. You will meet some of the most amazing people and will

make lots of friends. It’s been a really good learning experience for me and has opened up opportunities in the

world of work. It’s been very important to network and get to know all the staff, you learn a lot from talking!”

Tahira Zulfikar

“My time at MMU as an intern has been very valuable in providing the necessary skills to help in my future career. I

have worked on projects, which are to be rolled out across the University, took part and participated in

large-scale events, and worked with students on a one-to-one basis providing careers advice and guidance. MMU

have been supportive in allowing me to get involved where I can, and I have learnt that being proactive and asking

gets you everywhere. Remember that you are here to boost your employability for the future, so do take

advantage and use the time well!” Sarah Shirt

vii

“In the last six months I faced a number of challenges and learnt many new things. With guidance and mentoring, I

developed new skills required in the world of professionals and I feel like I opened the door to my future career.

But most importantly, I met fantastic people. I was lucky to be able to share this great experience with all of

the Interns!” Sylwia Blonska

“For me, the internship has been a truly memorable experience. I have been involved in some great projects and

learnt many new skills along the way. My advice would be to take part in as many tasks as possible in order to

build your experience! It is always better to be busy and you will not regret it when your time as an intern

ends.” Jemma Goodwin

viii

“The staff are great, the opportunities are endless and you just cannot believe the continuous training you get.

My team and I all bonded well and had ‘banter’ within the office, and also came up with the office bake off

every week. It gives you more to look forward to. You will learn so much from your internship, and almost never

want it to end!” Ian de Cordova

“The internship scheme is a fantastic opportunity that offers a perfect bridge between graduating from

university and the so called ‘real world’ of work. Often you can find yourself unable to apply for jobs as

they constantly demand you must have experience, yet never actually offer the opportunity of gaining any!

The Internship scheme presents the ideal balance of work and experience in a professional environment,

whilst equipping you with the perfect tools to become highly employable; whilst also being highly enjoyable

and a chance to make great new friends!” Joshua Riggs

“Make the most of your internship and the opportunity to make friends with some of the most exciting and

like-minded people you will ever meet at work! Really appreciate Paul’s amazing Intern training! You will miss

it when it’s over. I have had a great opportunity to gain so much experience in a short time. Remember,

speak to everyone you meet!” Alexandra Russell

“An internship is like walking down a corridor of opportunities, with each door leading to something new and

exciting. It is down to you to pursue and acquire the right set of keys to unlock your future.”

Joe Jarmey

ix

DRESS CODE

Dress appropriatelyfor your role.

M aintain yourprofessional image.

Stay clean and tidy... rememberyou’re representingthe University.

You may or may not have a dress code.

x

Also remember,keep essential itemslike stationary &writing pads close by.

You never know wwhen you’llneed them!

To do List:There are some things as an Intern, we would have liked to know.So we’ve posted them just for you.

Essential LinksCareers & EmployabilityFor all the information & advice when you are ready to move on from the Internship. www.mmu.ac.uk/employability

Human ResourcesFrom your 'Return to Work' form after you are ill, to setting up your email address and getting an ID card. www.mmu.ac.uk/humanresources

Training & DevelopmentFor MMU Staff training courses; ranging from stress managament to organising your time better. There are many to choose from, so make the most of them.www.mmu.ac.uk/humanresources/devandtrain/

Intern SchemeDetails about your pay, how many holidays you are entitled to, and other information about your job.www.mmu.ac.uk/intern

Staff BenefitsDid you know staff are entitled to benefits across many restaurants and shops in Manchester? Well we are! So use them!www.mmu.ac.uk/staff/benefits

Facebook Intern GroupJoin and socialise with other Interns! You know you want to!Search MMU Interns

LinkedIn Intern GroupA professional networking group for all the Interns.Search MMU Intern Network

xii

M anchester M etropolitan University

All Saints

M anchester

M 15 6BH

Text & Artw ork: Sylw ia Blonska

Design: Am ina M ufti

Copyright: Jem m a Goodw in

w ith cooperation of Interns: January 2012