Internship

[kerstina]

My son is in his 2nd year at Nottingham University studying Finance,Accounting and Management . He is struggling to find an internship. Can anyone suggest anywhere he might not have thought of to apply to please ?

Oh I thought I had put this in Higher Education. Please could mumsnet move it please ?

Hi @kerstina we have moved it for you now.
Best wishes,
MNHQ

Thank you !

Has he looked at BAE systems, MBDA, Leonardo, Airbus, Rolls Royce, big car manufacturers etc I know BAE do summer internships

Is it for his 3rd year or the summer? What field is he interested in?

@kerstina Ds found his through targetjobs from an email that he gets. He is also in his second year so this is for summer 2023.

targetjobs.co.uk/search/jobs?search=&opportunity_type=Internship

But that was back at the start of December, the closing date for his was January but sooner if they had enough successful applicants.

Does he want to stay in Nottingham or live at home for it? Are there opportunities where you live? Ds's is 8 weeks of summer, he is living at home as we live in a large city. He did this with a view to a graduate job with the same company whilst living at home.

Thank you for replies I am passing them onto him. He is happy to travel within reason .We live in Birmingham. I think it’s for a summer internship but option to do it in 3 rd year too. I have suggested lots and he has already applied for lots . Was just trying to think outside the box a bit to one that wasn’t receiving lots of applicants but I am realising it’s a competitive field .
He is a very hard worker . He has been working in retail since the age of 16. All through his studies.

Has he made sure to engage with any internship, placement, careers type services at his university? Some employers will advertise directly that way.

@kerstina
I know he might not see this in quite the same light, but my DD volunteered for the National Trust at a local property. They were brilliant. She did reception, room guiding, helped with the inventory reappraisal, helped review the offer to children and assisted the manager. It wasn’t anything to do with the job she wanted but it was great experience. Don’t write off charities. Everyone wants the glamour companies! Look at local government too. Holiday jobs in a different sector might be worth a look too.

Was your daughter studying Finance and Accounting though TizerorFizz? I think he could do with trying in the field he is studying ,to check if he wants to stay in that area. He is used to earning and needs the money so I doubt whether voluntary work would appeal to him . Yes I have suggested a local housing association to him . Charities are a good idea thank you.

I will press him on the careers advice at University. He is usually very independent and gets on with things but sometimes reluctant to ask for help so I am trying to push him a bit to get the guidance he needs.

@kerstina
No. But she wanted to be a barrister. My point was something is better than nothing. I thought you said he had tried but hadn’t got anywhere. So I just put forward alternatives that give additional skills. In a highly competitive field, thinking outside the box is needed.

Hi yes I take your point .I was thinking he may end up having to do voluntary work to gain experience but thinking more of it in the accountancy field .Wonder if temping with an agency would be an idea ? He has already gained a lot of transferable skills with his retail work .

Summer internships are incredibly competitive. Each receives hundreds if not thousands of applications. Each application for a student can take several hours. My son has done about 15 now and has targeted each one, done research etc, and hasn’t got one yet. His brother did get one a few years back but again lots of rejections.
For accounting definitely worth seeing if he can get relevant work with a local company rather than an “internship”.

You don't need an internship with an accountancy firm to get on a grad scheme with a top accountancy firm. Typically 10% have had an internship with a top firm. Retailwoll have given your DS many of the skills accountancy firms are looking for in their apprentices, so please don't worry if he has another summer doing the same.

Would their be any summer schools either in Birmingham or at his uni which he could apply for a summer job with for a different perspective on the world of work?

@kerstina What about local government? Some have vacation schemes and they have accountancy depts . What about smaller firms who don’t necessarily advertise? So many companies have finance departments. Big and small.

I’m guessing he’s approached small local accountancy/finance/wealth management firms?

Is he tailoring applications? His careers team should be able to provide feedback on applications.