Charity begins as an intern

By Sara Newman, Editor, Prospects, March 2007.

For many graduates today a corporate job just doesn’t fit. More and more people are considering careers in the charity sector, which offers the chance to work with the one thing that keeps life interesting - people.

But short of beating down doors, how do you get in and how will you find out whether or not you like it before you commit your time and energy to tedious applications? An unpaid internship could be the answer.

Kate Reynolds, 24, graduated from Durham University in 2004 with a degree in Natural Sciences. When she first graduated she did some temping work while she tried to figure out what she would do next. ‘I worked for a year in HR for the NHS and, as much as I found it interesting, it wasn’t using the creative side of me,’ explains Kate.

Kate decided to quit her job at the NHS and was unemployed for three months before taking up an unpaid internship with Cancer Research UK. ‘It took a drastic step to gain focus, and this was another three months where I wasn’t actually earning anything,’ she says.

But her perseverance for the right job paid off. Now on a graduate scheme with Cancer Research UK, Kate says ‘getting up these days is not a difficulty; it is just a joy to come to work.’

A window of opportunity

Kate’s first project with Cancer Research UK was a retail role producing window display guidelines. When the three months was up they kept her on a temporary contract for a further three months.

‘Once I got into the project it led on to many different aspects of fashion, it was very varied. I did a poster for the shop regarding the fashion trends and a brand booklet, and then I moved onto purchasing new manikins for them,’ says Kate.

Breaking in

Kate found the internship application very different to the usual job or graduate scheme application. ‘It was more about how you would approach the project, and any ideas you have. I spent a lot of time thinking about my answers and came up with a few creative ideas that they wanted me to put into practice,’ she explains.

‘Even though I wasn’t being paid, I was treated exactly the same as my peers. For a volunteer worker the responsibility you are given is just phenomenal. They give you your own project that is vital to the charity, so it was a big responsibility. It showed that they trusted you.’

In the graduate scheme of things

Impressed with the company, Kate applied for the graduate scheme right away. ‘With the interviews and assessment centres it did seem like a long process and it was a nerve-wracking time,’ admits Kate.

But Kate believes being herself saw her through. ‘You can’t go in there with a false pretence of or being a super efficient human; you can’t pretend you are something you are not.

‘I tend not to be too formal in an interview, I think it comes across better if you are friendly to the panel - have a few laughs with them,’ suggests Kate. ‘And do your research on their vision and their culture. I think because I had been an intern I knew a lot about the Charity.’

Well placed

Kate is currently in her first of four six-month placements of the two-year scheme.

‘I’m working in Legacy Marketing. It involves things like planning tours around our facilities, and we are currently working on a chief executive dinner event.

‘I’m learning every day; the internship was fantastic because I learnt a lot about design and using graphic design software. Now I’m getting experience organising events. My written communication has improved a lot. It used to be formal bank manager type written communication and I’m learning now that it doesn’t have to be.’

Freedom to fail

A sign of a great employer is that they give you the freedom to put your ideas into practice. ‘You can run with an idea, and if it doesn’t work you’re not reprimanded for it,’ says Kate. ‘It is more a case of learning what you can from the experience. It is a great, encouraging environment.’

Challenging times

Kate loves talking to supporters but it can also be challenging. ‘If supporters have been affected by cancer it’s obviously a devastating experience for them and it can be quite upsetting. Also, talking to cancer survivors is an incredible experience - you go through the whole range of emotions. It is a very new area of work for me.’

With increasing competition to get into the charity sector an unpaid internship is a great stepping stone and you have the opportunity to prove you are right for the job - but don't expect an automatic job offer at the end of it. Nor do you need to do an internship to be accepted onto a graduate scheme.

At the very least, you can fill a skills gap on your CV and put it down to experience. This will go a long way to getting that sought after graduate job with any organsisation.

‘Also, instead of going through a huge application process to get onto a graduate scheme, an internship is a lot easier to get onto and see if you actually do like it,’ says Kate. ‘It’s not for everyone.’