Blackpool Sixth Form student Kristin Tsang had the chance to explore sustainability, and the world of financial careers, through her paid internship with Chesnara plc and support from mentor Sarah Greenhow at the Ministry of Justice. This is her story.
“Before the Career Ready programme I was uncertain about the career path I wanted to take,” says Kristin Tsang, a student at Blackpool Sixth Form. “I’d done minimal research into potential career options. I didn’t want to make the wrong choice – so I struggled to identify a clear goal for myself.
“Without exposure to different industries or hands on experience, I really didn’t know where to start.”
Now, Kristin is feeling “much more confident and focused about the future” thanks to the support of mentor Sarah Greenhow, who works at the Ministry of Justice, and a four-week paid internship with Chesnara plc in Preston.
“Participating in the programme has allowed me to develop a broader range of professional skills and the guidance I received helped me discover my strengths and interests,” she explains. “Rather than feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, I am now more motivated to take the next steps towards a career that is a good fit for me.”
Studying sustainability
During her time at Chesnara, Kristin took on a project exploring sustainability.
“As a sustainability intern, I analysed and reported on emissions data, recommended scope strategies to progress towards net zero goals and evaluated financial information,” she says.
“I had the opportunity to present my findings on the topic of greenwashing, which I enjoyed. Being able to attend boardroom meetings offered me insights into strategic planning as I observed collaboration between different departments and their decision making.”
Building a network
“A valuable aspect of the internship was the opportunity to network,” Kristin adds. “Meeting people at Chesnara gave me the chance to ask questions and build relationships. Speaking to people in different teams and learning about their roles was a highlight for me – I enjoyed speaking to the CEO about his journey and responsibilities.
“The internship also enabled me to gain new skills such as effective communication within a professional setting, managing my time, and adapting to scenarios. Skills I developed through my sustainability project can be applied to various sectors such as data analysis, project management and strategic planning.
“As someone who wants to enter the business industry, I have a better understanding of corporate social responsibility as there is a growing focus on sustainable business practices.
“After speaking to other employees within the financial sector, I’ve discovered an interest in careers within this industry. I will do further research into finance career paths and potentially look into finance university courses.”
Preparing for success with my mentor
Kristin’s Career Ready mentor Sarah has a role in Finance at the Ministry of Justice. Her support has also helped Kristin develop her skills and knowledge about potential career paths.
“Sarah has in depth knowledge about the finance sector,” Kristin says.
“During our meetings, she shared her own journey and revealed how her career path evolved after discovering her love for accountancy and numbers.
“She has played a crucial role in helping me understand the importance of having a passion for my career and encouraged me to explore different areas of business I am interested in, such as marketing.
“She explained the apprenticeship route to me, and I would like to potentially apply for this as well as university. I am really grateful to have a mentor who prepares me for both professional and personal success.
“I would definitely advise someone to join the Career Ready Programme as it exposes you to various roles and industries. This can spark new interests like it did for me and encourage you to explore them further.
“The programme helps set you up for success in your chosen path and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join.”
The photo shows Kristin (left) with fellow intern Tina Ang and internship supervisor, Andy Meek – Group Head of Sustainability at Chesnara – during their end-of-internship presentation.
