How did you feel about the internship leading up to the start?
In a nutshell: thrilled. I was eager to begin the unique, challenging, creative and dynamic project, one that could allow me to help make a real contribution to the university. Having just finished my final year as a student at UEA, I equally saw it as a perfect opportunity to become acquainted with engaging, full-time work. The three-month full-time contract meant I could get a taster for the ‘9 to 5’ office role before plunging into a more permanent position.
While I was mainly excited to embark on my internship, I was somewhat conscious of my in-limbo status as ‘no longer a student but still basically a student’. I had finished my undergraduate degree but was still waiting to graduate, which made me somewhat apprehensive about how I would fit in the office, or be perceived by my colleagues. Yet, on the whole, I was not nervous; more curious to see the hidden world of UEA through the eyes of a student (or ex-student). I was keen to see how UEA functioned and networked behind closed doors, an opportunity I never really had in my three years at the university.
What was your first day like?
My morning began with a warm welcome from my team (who were later very forgiving about my forgetfulness of names). I then went to Café Direct for a meeting with my host, Anna, who bought me a tea and told me more about the project. This was followed by another meeting with my advisor, Diana, in the Bio Café (and more tea). By midday I was full of information and tea, and felt completely enthused by the job I had ahead of me – a feeling enhanced by the discovery that I would also help look for photographic material to accompany the audio clips I create (photography being a passion of mine).
One thing I was immediately impressed by was how I was treated as an intern. I felt like a genuine member of the team, with a voice that my colleagues wanted to listen to; not a beverage-maker who does the filing work nobody wants to do. They discussed with me my creative freedoms, and were happy to entertain any of my ideas and suggestions on the project – an approach which fully shot down any perceptions I had about the role of an office intern.
All in all, I had an extremely positive start to the internship, and left the building feeling a little exhausted yet elated about the coming months.
What did you get up to in your first week?
The first week of my internship was hectic, and never dull. My team have been eager to get me involved with relevant activities where possible, such as audio software training with Robin (one of UEA’s media technicians), and attending the design pitch for the 50th anniversary branding. In between these and a number of meetings / introductions, I managed to listen to a couple of interviews – just a small taster of the roughly sixty hours of footage I’ll eventually cut down.
What did you enjoy the most about your first week?
The Oral Histories project itself! Having recently spent three years at UEA as a student, it’s fascinating to work with material that shows a different perspective on something already so familiar to me. Although I didn’t have the time in my first week to get fully stuck in, it has made me very excited for the quirky and interesting historical glimpses I’m yet to discover: whether a reflection on Denys Lasdun’s architecture or a fading snap shot of a 1960’s seminar.
How do you think the next few weeks will be?
Busy, with a tight schedule, but a challenge that I’m happy to take. I’m hoping to achieve a number of things by the end of my internship with the aid of a great team. These include a website showcasing the interviews, a four page spread on the project in Ziggurat magazine, an event on the festival anniversary weekend, and possibly more. With this amount to chew on, I also suspect I’ll face a few learning curves along the way. However, whether or not all these are goals achievable, I am at least hoping to illuminate the project in a way that it deserves. And to maintain an open mind on how this might be done over the next couple of months.
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