What is it like undertaking an internship, and how do the work placements help young people?
Six Dundee pupils have given their take on placements with Dundee City Council, which has again supported the Career Ready initiative by giving young people paid internships.
Over four weeks this summer, the senior secondary pupils experienced different aspects of services during their internships across council services.
The young people benefitted from one-to-one support and guidance from a volunteer council mentor over the 18-month total period of the programme.
In addition to the hands-on experience the young people received, they undertook mock interviews and received e-learning opportunities.
So what did the schoolchildren think?
Daisy Thomas, Braeview Academy
“My internship with the Transformation & Performance team has made me think about the council as an option for my future career.
“The internship has helped me gain more confidence and improve my communication skills.
“I’ve also been able to build new skills which I was able to use in the office and I can take these skills with me into future employment.”
“I feel I have gained more self-confidence and good communication skills.”
Praise Nnamuchi, Harris Academy
Praise Nnamuchi, Harris Academy
“Although I found the prospect of doing an internship with People Services, Learning & Organisational Development really scary, I really enjoyed it as I was able to work alongside Dundee City Council staff and I found the setting interesting.
“I gained lots of experience supporting the service users, observing and participating in the activities that were arranged.
“I have never worked before; this opportunity has helped me to understand how to act in a work situation.
“I feel I have gained more self-confidence and good communication skills.”
Nathan Browne, Grove Academy
“I was mentored by council officers in Design & Property Services.
“I was lucky enough to be working alongside the learning disabilities team in different facilities around the city.
“When working in these placements I learned valuable life and work experience.
“It was an opportunity to develop nice bonds with the people using the service.
“I also found it interesting to work alongside the staff caring for the service users who were teaching me their profession.”
Crawford Haig, Craigie High School
“I’ve never had any idea what to do in terms of employment after I leave Craigie High School, and even up until I started meeting my career ready mentor I didn’t have a clue.
“But upon completion of my internship experience – assisting with the delivery of a range of sport and physical activity programmes for Leisure & Culture Dundee, Street Soccer Scotland and other sports associations – I have really discovered a passion for working with children and people in the community who need support through sport.”
Sasha Donaldson, St Paul’s RC Academy
“I undertook an internship with the Youth Employability Service.
“I was given a task to create and design an engagement survey which I would use to identify the needs of young people using the Youth Employment Service.
“During my first week I met with many young people to undertake the survey, both in the office and in two community centres.
“It was lovely to hear so many heart-warming and happy stories about why they use the service.”
Alyssa Saunders, Baldragon Academy
“My internship was with the Transformation & Performance team.
“At V&A Dundee I took part in a research project as well as some workshops and exhibition maintenance.
“I also took part in curating an upcoming exhibition as well as working with the group Front Lounge and working as a gallery assistant.
“Overall this was an amazing experience as I got the chance to work in a huge variety of roles and I got so much helpful experience, and also made connections with a lot of new people.”
Dundee City Council children and families convener Councillor Stewart Hunter added: “As an employer trying to encourage opportunities for young people, it is important that we support the Career Ready initiative.
“This allows them invaluable insights into the work of the council, lets them understand what qualifications they will need and arms them with skills that will help in writing CVs and for interviews.
“I wish them all well for their future and hope that their time being mentored in the council will inspire them to achieve their goals.”
More details on the work of the Career Ready charity and paid internships are available at Career Ready Scotland.
Conversation