The next generation of leaders - SFP’s commitment to graduatesAs a result of discussions at the May Sheffield First Partnership (SFP) Board meeting, SFP undertook to help with the future job prospects of graduates by developing an internship scheme. At the end of July, SFP recruited three interns for a period of three months. Emily Hunter was recruited to a placement with South Yorkshire Police, Holly Dannhauser undertook a placement in the Partnership’s Health and Well-being team, and Sachin (Sach) Parmar joined the SFP office team. Holly DannhauserHolly graduated in July with a BA in English Literature from the University of Sheffield and started the SFP internship the following week. Here she tells us what skills this has helped her to develop. Holly’s internship is with the Sheffield First Health and Well-being Partnership. Her work has involved writing and re-drafting public reports about health in Sheffield. In particular, Holly has been working on the Joint Special Needs Assessment (JSNA). Holly says: “This placement has particularly allowed me to practice my existing skills, especially written reporting, organisation and presentation, within a business setting. I have learnt to work independently on tasks that will feed into a wider project and impact on other pieces of work. “This role has also given me essential experience in working and interacting with different levels of management from various organisations. My confidence in undertaking duties, taking on responsibility and approaching new people has significantly improved and is a valuable life long skill. “Before this placement, I would almost certainly have overlooked working in health. I have therefore identified misconceptions about employers and in fact, there are job opportunities to investigate in what I had previously considered unlikely places. “This internship has been invaluable; I can rely on the work that I have done during my internship to provide working examples at interview as well as practical experience for future employment.” |
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Sach ParmarHere Sach tells us how this placement has helped to develop his skills, experience and confidence. Sach graduated with the MPlan Masters in Urban Studies and Planning Degree from The University of Sheffield in June 2008 and has been unemployed since then. Since joining the SFP office team, Sach has been involved in writing briefings and reports for different audiences, for example a policy briefing on the development of a ‘Business Innovation Chamber’ for Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He has also been involved in working on a pilot scheme, supported by the Improvement and Development Agency, to improve Infrastructure Planning and Delivery in the city. Sach says: “I value the networking skills with outside partners, directors and councillors, whom I probably would never have been exposed to. “I have learned how to combine structured learning opportunities whilst having my own work projects to deliver. “Organisational skills have been enhanced through helping to prepare and administrate meetings and partnership events. In particular, learning from experienced colleagues is always most valuable. In terms of helping his employability, Sach says: “The varied projects have been related to my future career and also highlight another angle of working alongside Town Planning teams and being able to see how planning relates to other areas. This will shine through in future job applications. “I feel more confident applying for jobs as I can draw on many work projects where I was not just treated like a trainee, but was actually given responsibility to take a lead.” |