Emma Rodgers from St Mary’s High School in Northern Ireland worked at Wood Innovations, a wood flooring wholesaler, for her summer paid internship. This opportunity was made possible through our Internship Investment Fund. Hear about how her time there helped her find her path.
Emma came into the programme eager to learn, but lacking the experience she needed to decide what career she wanted to pursue.
“Before my internship I didn’t have prior experience in the business sector – but I really wanted to learn and gain new skills and insight on what the industry could offer in terms of a future career.”
Her internship at Wood Innovations gave her an invaluable insight into the workplace that gave her the confidence to choose a future in business.
“I was unsure of what I wanted to do, and this internship greatly helped me clarify that. Having previously wanted to become a teacher, thanks to my internship I’ve decided to pursue a career in business.”
Learning more about work and herself
Emma had the opportunity to work in multiple departments on her internship that gave her a well-rounded view of how a business works.
“I got to work in a variety of areas in the business on my internship, including finance and sales. I created poster ads, sat in on meetings and interviews, reviewed CV’s and job profiles, checked VAT codes for all sales, and analysed data.”
Emma developed many of her employability skills during her time at Wood Innovations and emerged a more assured individual.
“During my work placement, I learned many new skills – I got better at time management, communicating professionally, and using various software tools. I also improved my teamwork and interpersonal skills by working with different people, which has made me more confident.”
But she didn’t just learn about the world of work – she learned more about herself and what she wants from her future.
“Before my internship, I would feel anxious in certain situations, but having experienced a professional office, I now understand the working environment and feel more confident to push myself out of comfort zone in the future. This experience showed me what roles would suit me – and the ones that wouldn’t. I enjoyed gaining new experience in different areas but realised that I especially liked the marketing aspect of my internship.”
Her mentor, Edwina, also played a role in helping Emma to reach her full potential.
“My mentor helped me so much throughout the year – she was always available and open to questions. She inspired me to sign up to things I previously wouldn’t have done, such as PWC internship which I was accepted to.”
Looking towards the future
With real-life experience now under her belt, Emma feels more motivated to build a rewarding future.
“My internship helped show me what I truly want to do in my career, and encouraged me to learn and adapt. It bridged the gap between classroom learning and real-world work, and allowed me to explore my career interests, gain practical skills, and make valuable connections. This experience has boosted my confidence and readiness for the professional world – I now feel set up for success.”
