Why are internships part of Ignite?

From Classroom to Career

Internships aren’t merely checkboxes on a CV; they are  experiences that bridge the gap between academia and the real world, equipping students with practical skills and insights crucial for their future careers.

For Ignite students, securing the right experiences for their CVs is paramount. In today’s competitive job market, academic credentials alone often fall short. Employers seek candidates who can demonstrate practical proficiency and a nuanced understanding of their field.

This is where internships can help students to shine. They provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, cultivate industry-specific skills, and build professional networks—all of which enrich their CVs and set them apart in a crowded job market.

However, the reality is that students from underrepresented backgrounds often face formidable barriers when it comes to accessing internship opportunities.

Dr Carla Wiggs, Student Success & Inclusion Coordinator, explains

Financial constraints, lack of professional networks, and limited guidance amplify these challenges, leaving many talented individuals sidelined in their pursuit of career advancement.

Enter Ignite’s groundbreaking initiative to guarantee paid internships for all participants, regardless of background. By eliminating financial barriers and providing tailored support, Ignite empowers students to access coveted internship opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.

Dr Wiggs continued,

Thanks to your donations, through Ignite, students from underrepresented backgrounds gain more than just work experience—they gain confidence, skills, and a sense of belonging in professional settings. These internships become catalysts for personal and professional growth, instilling in students the belief that their aspirations are within reach.

Transparency and support are at the core of Ignite’s internship process. Students are presented with a range of internship opportunities, complete with detailed job descriptions, allowing them to make informed decisions. They then apply by selecting their top choices and outlining the skills they hope to gain.

Feedback from students underscores the impact of these internships. Many express gratitude for unexpected discoveries and the financial stability afforded by paid placements. Reflecting on their experience, one student noted the unforeseen intersections between their academic pursuits and real-world applications, while another highlighted the relief of not having to worry about financial burdens.

This isn’t just about levelling the playing field; it’s about dismantling systemic
barriers and creating pathways to success for every student, irrespective of their
socioeconomic status. 

In essence, Ignite’s guaranteed internship programme is not just about providing work experience—it’s about empowering students to explore, grow, and thrive as they embark on their journey toward becoming future leaders

Having an intern has been a great experience and actually exceeded our expectations. The work was undertaken with enormous enthusiasm, engagement and attention to detail and has made a significant contribution to collecting information to support our current Athena Swan application. We entered into this thinking that whatever we get will be a bonus but actually it has helped to move us forward with a particular piece of work.

Feedback from an internship host in April 2024