Rebecca Hopkins from St Brendan’s Sixth Form in Bristol enjoyed a four-week internship at facilities management company Mitie. Keep reading to learn about how her time there changed her perspective on her future after Covid lockdowns deflated her confidence.
Before starting her internship at Mitie, Rebecca was doubtful about her abilities in the workplace, especially after coming out of the first Covid lockdown and dealing with the added uncertainty and stress it bought on.
“I felt as if I wasn’t good enough to do a job really. I was worried about getting things wrong, so I held back, I was a little disorganised – and even a bit immature to be honest. I definitely wasn’t prepared to work for a company as big as Mitie.”
Fast forward four weeks, and Rebecca’s view of herself was completely different. Working in the HR team, she was trusted to manage sensitive employer data in the company, perform Right2Work checks, and learned how to use data management programs.
“Being trusted to do a difficult job and being part of a team was an amazing experience for me. It helped open my eyes to what employers are looking for and showed me that opportunities are out there for me.”
Looking towards a brighter future
Recent research conducted by Career Ready showed that 50% of 16-18 year olds aren’t confident they’ll secure a job in their desired field because of the impact of Covid-19. But despite joining the programme during the pandemic, gaining hands-on experience in the working world has eased Rebecca’s worries about her future job prospects.
“I no longer feel the need to worry about reduced job prospects and lost learning time that I experienced going into the first lockdown. I’ve had my share of small part time jobs, but an internship has been completely different. It really pushes you and prepares you for the world of work. After my internship, I understood what was expected of me in a job. Now, I’m confident under pressure and in my own abilities – and I know that the only real limitations are ones that I create inside my head.”
“I’ve grown and matured so much as a person and know now that I can take on an adult role and manage myself. I’ve learnt key life skills that I can transfer to any job role.”
A new perspective
Being exposed to a large company helped Rebecca realise she wanted to keep her options open and gain experience in multiple areas.
“Before Career Ready, I always thought it best to play safe and aim small, but now I’m realising that I shouldn’t cut off opportunities or doubt my abilities – even if I don’t get to my end goal by the easiest, most linear route.”
Having a first-hand look into the working world broadened Rebecca’s horizons and inspired her to believe in herself, and now she’s on her way to a bright, rewarding future, starting a two-year Trainee Nursing Associate degree apprenticeship with the NHS.
“My time on the Career Ready programme restored my sense of direction. It really helped bridge the gap between where I was, and what I needed to do to get to where I want to be.”
Get involved today and help more young people like Rebecca reach their potential.
