My NCL Internship Experience: Combining passion and skills

NCL Internships offer students the chance to undertake graduate-level work experience with local businesses and with Newcastle University. They are a fantastic way of developing skills and gaining insight into a particular role or sector. You will receive a tax-free bursary for completing an internship with a local business or get paid per hour for completing an internship on campus. 

Lenka, a master's student shares her experience undertaking an NCL Internship and how it’s benefitted her.

My internship was with Wilder Trips; a Newcastle-based startup creating a customised road trip plan for motorhome holidays around the world. I was honoured to join the team as a Digital Marketing Assistant. When I found the internship opportunity with Wilder Trips, I was all in! I have never aligned so much with a company's concept and values and was excited to combine my genuine passion with valuable work experience in a field I’d love to work in as a graduate.

I wanted to gain practical work experience in the marketing field before I entered ‘the real working world’ as a graduate?. I knew completing an internship would give me a strong foundation in applying my knowledge and ease my transition from being a student to a professional.

My role as an intern

As a Digital Marketing Assistant, my main responsibility was to create brand-aligned social media content. I created posts, stories, and reels to keep the Instagram and TikTok community growing. Later on, I dived into the understanding of marketing metrics and data to understand how socials could progress and prosper. I also had an opportunity to write blog posts and develop email newsletters as we changed the marketing strategy to reach customers in a more personal way. 

The internship was great as I was able to fit it around my studies and other commitments. I worked one to two days per week in the office which was in Newcastle City Centre and my employer was very accommodating and flexible with my busy student schedule. The working environment was full of inspiring and welcoming people. I enjoyed being surrounded by real professionals in the industry.

Why do an NCL Internship?

My internship was such an amazing and rewarding experience. I learned so much not only in the marketing sphere but also what is required to build up a startup. Both founders, Harry and Scott, were so kind, and approachable and trusted me from day one. They made me feel appreciated and that my work mattered. I've boosted not only my creative skills in digital marketing but also my networking skills as I was able to make friends and professional connections in the role. By doing this internship, I solidified that digital marketing is what I enjoy and that I'm going in the right direction on my career pathway.

Following my internship, I was given the opportunity to continue working for Wilder Trips. I am currently focusing on community growth more than just creating content. I am also excited to be doing another NCL Internship with the company over the summer vacation.

I truly could not recommend applying for an NCL Internship more! It gives you great confidence and space to grow not only professionally but personally as well. 

Are you ready to make the most of your summer with a paid opportunity with Newcastle University or with a local business? To find NCL Internship opportunities, go to MyCareer and search NCL Internships in the vacancies search box.