Mason Grant from St Modan’s High School in Stirling completed his paid summer internship at premium drinks company Diageo. Learn how his experience in the workplace boosted his confidence.
Mason started the Career Ready programme feeling reserved and lacking in self-belief – and unsure about the future.
“I was shy and not really too confident in myself and was struggling to even comprehend how this process was going to work.”
But with the support of his mentor, school and paid internship with Diageo, Mason has grown immensely.
“Now I’m more confident than I’ve ever been before, and able to work with new people in different environments.”
Real life experience in the workplace
A core part of the Career Ready programme is the paid internship over the summer, where Mason got the chance to work at Diageo for four weeks alongside his mentor, Swati. He had the opportunity to gain an insight into a professional environment, as well as network with apprentices and graduates to really get an idea of what his future could look like.
“Working with Swati has been great, she went over many things such as the importance of communication, teamwork, and how to keep calm during stressful situations. I also learned a lot during the site visits that I went on and the talks I had with some apprentices and graduates. I particularly enjoyed our visit to the Diageo archives, as well as bringing our soft drink idea to life.”
During his time at Diageo, Mason spent time with other members of staff and worked with fellow mentees, something he recognises is important for his future. Through his internship, he got the chance to connect with the Design and Technology team and learn more about cybersecurity – a subject area he’s hoping to pursue in the future.
“I have developed connections with the other mentors and mentees, building my network for the future.”
His mentor and supervisor, Swati Chougule, reflected on Mason’s journey at Diageo.
“Mason was great on his internship, communicating and collaborating well in all group activities, taking initiative and receiving feedback for improvement positively. He has grown into a confident individual and did very well during mock interview and presentation sessions. It’s been really rewarding to see Mason proactively engaging in his tasks and improving his skills across the board. I even had other members of the business compliment Mason for his progress, especially his confidence and presentation skills.”
Looking to the future with ambition
After gaining a first-hand insight into the workplace, and the ongoing support from his mentor for the next year, Mason now feels more motivated to complete his studies and build a rewarding future.
“Career Ready pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way and has helped to build my confidence. Now, I feel even more determined to finish school and go to university to study cybersecurity. To anyone considering joining the programme, I’d say don’t be afraid to go for it!”
