This month, we’ve been joined by four interns from Loughborough University. Whenever we have an intern join us, their first task is to introduce themselves by writing a blog and sharing their message to employers. Meet Ebun…

Hello! My name is Ebun and I studied Psychology at Loughborough University.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My ambition is to be working with young people, this passion stemmed from my role at City Year as a mentor. I really enjoyed this role because I was able to see the growth in the students I mentored, and this gave me a sense of purpose. I’m not currently sure what job I will specifically do, but I know the career I want will be meaningful. My placement year sparked a passion in working in the charity/social justice sector. 

Why did you choose to intern with Access Generation?

As a recent graduate, I have first-hand experience of looking for jobs during the pandemic. It is even more competitive than ever, as 2020 and 2021 graduates are both competing for the same roles. I chose to intern with Access Generation because they aim to change employer attitudes towards hiring young people and they put young people at the forefront of their research. For example, their peer panel is led by 18–30-year-olds and this allows their opinions to be heard by employers. 

What are you excited about doing with Access Generation?

I am excited about the research element of the internship and using the research skills I have learnt during my Psychology degree, particularly qualitative research, including conducting interviews and focus groups. This will give me the opportunity to understand the employer’s point of view and also potentially influence employers to make changes to their recruitment process. I am eager to learn new skills such as using Canva and learning new marketing strategies. 

What do you hope to achieve during the internship?

I hope to build on my leadership skills by taking charge in group projects and delegating roles to my fellow interns. I hope this will build my experience in leadership positions, which will increase my employability. I also hope to build on my network, having the opportunity to interview employers will expand my network and give me experience networking with employers. I hope the research I collect will be able to contribute to Access Generation’s mission to change the stereotype of employing young people. 

What is your message to employers?

A lot of young people may not have practical experience, but they are curious and ready to learn new skills. Hiring a recent graduate/young person can be beneficial as they can offer different perspectives. The pandemic has definitely shifted how we work, and employers should embrace flexible ways of working, which will encourage a diverse recruitment pool.

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Did you know…?

Universities typically have an employability team who work to match students with employment opportunities including internships. An internship is often a short paid work experience and a chance for the student and employer to ‘try before they buy’. Internships are often part or fully funded.

Afra has joined us via Loughborough University’s Talent Match Programme which is part-funded by Santander. For more information, visit their website https://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/careers/employers/sme/lborotalentmatch/