How did you get an internship with Smile?

With the graduate job hunt now becoming increasingly competitive with a lot of graduates struggling to get work due to lack of experience, my university in Leicester, De Montfort University developed an internship scheme called Graduate Champions that looks to provide mutually beneficial opportunities for both organisations and their graduates by giving them hands-on experience in the field they are looking to work in the future. 

After graduating in January 2019, I thought the graduate Champions scheme would be an excellent opportunity to gain some relevant experience that I would be able to relate to in a job in the career path that I want to pursue. I applied for the scheme, giving information about my preferences and that I am looking for a marketing role. It was only a matter of weeks after applying that they called me to say they have found me an internship match at Smile Education!

Why did you want to intern with Smile?

I had a look through the job description to see what tasks I would be doing and how they will help me in my career and decided that it would be happy to take the opportunity to work at Smile for 6 weeks. A couple of weeks before starting my internship I visited Smile to talk about what I’ll be doing, meet some of the team and see the type of environment I will be working in for the 6 weeks. 

Meeting the team put me at ease and helped me to feel more comfortable. During the meeting, both Olivia, Smile’s operation’s manager and Kelly, Smile’s marketing manager talked to me about the tasks I would be responsible for. They even, amended my timetable to include more marketing and less admin as they knew this was something I was keen to gain experience in. 

What you’ve been doing at Smile?

I have undertaken a variety of tasks during my time at Smile. I have spent a lot of time using their social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) and using them to interact with both schools and teachers. Research has been another key aspect of the role. I have spent time looking into schools as well as competitors and suggesting ways that Smile can improve. 

One of the more fun tasks was creating job adverts using online graphic design tool, Canva and blog writing. Overall, I have written around 10 blogs and various topics and learnt a lot about education on the way! 

In addition to marketing, I have also been supporting the admin team by adding data to Smile’s CRM system and perfected my telephone skills by manning the office’s mainline.

What you have learned from your internship with Smile?

Although it was a marketing internship, I’ve learnt about so much more. The marketing side of the internship has allowed me to put the theory I have learned into practice. It has also given me a better idea of the type of marketing that I enjoy and what I  may like to do in the future. But more than that, it has allowed me to develop my skills and I now feel that I am much better at prioritising and organising. These skills I can then apply to my next role which increases my job prospects - thank you Smile! 

If you are interested in interning with Smile or taking part in work experience, then get in touch.