We recently had the pleasure of hosting James, a second-year Marketing student from the University of the West of England (UWE), for a 12-week paid placement at Bristol City Leap. James brought an infectious enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to our team, and his reflections on the experience underscore the remarkable growth he achieved during his time with us. The culmination of his journey took an unexpected turn that James certainly did not foresee…
A Deep Dive into Data Analysis
From day one, James embraced the opportunity to work on our Revive (a regional network of electric vehicle charge points located in the West of England, including Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset) electric vehicle charger asset register. “During my time at Bristol City Leap, I particularly enjoyed working on the Revive asset register, analysing datasets and comparing them with mapping sites to identify issues,” he shared. This analytical project allowed him to enhance his skills in data interpretation while addressing real-world challenges.
James also contributed to the development of a marketing plan, which he found eye-opening. “Developing the marketing plan gave me the chance to explore a different side of the business and think more strategically,” he noted. This experience was crucial in helping him establish a foundation for strategic thinking in marketing.
Engaging with the Community
Understanding the community’s needs was another vital aspect of James’ internship. He appreciated the opportunity to gain insights into the city’s dynamics through area profiling. “It gave me a new perspective on the city and allowed me to work with stakeholder information,” he explained. James’s research for the Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund not only expanded his understanding of the energy sector but also showcased the positive impact that Bristol City Leap is making in the community.
A Welcoming Work Environment
James found our workplace culture to be incredibly supportive. “I felt well supported by colleagues at Bristol City Leap throughout my placement,” he remarked. Through networking events like those hosted by Bristol 24/7, he was able to connect with professionals early on, which helped him integrate seamlessly into our team. The approachability of his colleagues and the atmosphere fostered open communication and collaboration. “Informal conversations helped me feel part of the team, and colleagues trusted me to contribute to their projects,” he stated.
Overcoming Challenges
Every internship comes with its own set of challenges, and James faced the reality of balancing multiple tasks. “The most challenging part of my placement was balancing different tasks at times, although the office support made it manageable,” he acknowledged. Despite the demanding nature of the workload, he found it rewarding and even reflected on the difficulties faced in writing for this blog. “I found it hard to find anything that I didn’t enjoy,” he remarked, highlighting how supported he felt throughout the experience.
Building Essential Skills
During his placement, James enhanced several vital professional skills. “I developed a much stronger understanding of how Excel is used in real-world business tasks and how powerful it can be for managing information,” he explained. This newfound knowledge about spreadsheets became a crucial takeaway, exemplifying the practical skills he gained. Additionally, James improved his communication capabilities and learned effective time management techniques, focusing on delivering quality work within deadlines.
A Positive Impact
Finally, James expressed his appreciation for the overall experience at Bristol City Leap. “From the first day, I was kept busy in a good way; it became a place where I could get real work done without feeling stressed,” he reflected. Small touches, such as fresh fruit on Monday mornings, contributed to the inviting atmosphere and made coming into the office a pleasure.
“It was an amazing experience. I’m leaving feeling much more confident in my skills and with a stronger appreciation for the real work Bristol City Leap is doing across the city,” he concluded.
James’ journey with us was truly inspiring, and we’re incredibly proud of the progress he made during his internship. As he moves forward in his academic and professional career, we’re confident that the skills and experiences he gained will serve him well.
What’s Next for James?
But it doesn’t end there. In recognition of his skills and aptitude, at the end of his internship, James was offered a fixed-term full-time position with Bristol City Leap. James’ placement was a two-day-a-week setup up but he is now a full-time member of the team working Monday to Friday until the end of August. Allowing him to continue to gain experience and expand his role until the start of his third year at university. He will be focused on supporting the team in delivering some of our retrofit projects as well as supporting engagement activities for the rollout of local renewables in our communities.
We are pleased to say that James is another internship success story at Bristol City Leap and is a true testament to the importance of providing young people with real workplace experience that allows them gain skills whilst contributing to delivering city-scale decarbonisation through our partnership.
