Anisa Akther from The Oldham College completed a four-week paid internship at Bupa and graduated the Career Ready programme in 2022. Keep reading to find out how her internship led her to her first career steps.
Before starting the programme, Anisa wasn’t sure what to expect from Career Ready or her future, and lacked direction when it came to her career.
“I wasn’t very sure what I wanted to do after my college course ended, so I was very grateful for the opportunity to explore my options and boost my skills.”
But after graduating the Career Ready programme, Anisa feels a lot differently. She’s now prepared to enter the workplace and build a rewarding future.
“My confidence has improved dramatically – I’ve made new friends and feel more ready for the world of work. I have a much better understanding of what’s expected of me in a professional environment.”
New skills and new experiences
Her four-week internship at Bupa empowered Anisa with real-life insights into a career in healthcare – where she got to develop several of her career skills.
“During my internship, I attended masterclasses and team meetings, where I learnt how my colleagues communicated as a team and shared ideas – it was really useful to see how they worked together.”
She was also able to develop her own communication skills by meeting new people and building relationships with others at Bupa’s networking event.
“The networking event was definitely a highlight for me – I was able to ask people questions, find out more about their journeys, and understand how they got into their roles.”
Anisa’s mentor, Calum, also played a big part in her Career Ready journey, especially when it came to perfecting her CV and dealing with rejection.
“Calum was very supportive, he helped improve my CV and taught me how to write professional emails. He always reminded me that it’s okay if you get rejected in the job application process or don’t hear back – and that as long as I’m trying and putting in the hard work, it’ll pay off eventually.”
Looking forwards with hope
On a more personal level, Anisa’s mindset has shifted because she challenged herself to take part in the programme, and she’s learnt lessons she’s taking forward into her career.
“This experience taught me I should try to go with the flow and always push myself outside my comfort zone to grow – because you never know where you could end up in future. I never expected to get my internship at a big company like Bupa, and I’m so happy I did. Now I’m doing an apprenticeship there where I can continue to grow and meet new people, as well as help others at the same time.”
Anisa reflected on her experience with Career Ready and highlights how important having access to a paid internship is, especially for young people figuring out their next steps.
“I would hugely recommend the Career Ready programme to other young people, as you’ll definitely learn something. The work experience aspect was especially useful, and even though it might not be in an area you’d personally planned out for your career, it can open your eyes to paths you would’ve never thought of.”
