It’s been over six months since Michael joined us as a Grants Intern. Here’s a closer look at his journey and the insights he has gained during his time here.
Before my internship, I was…
Before joining the Grants Team, I gained a variety of experiences that really helped shape my career in the charity sector. One standout role was at The Salvation Army, where I managed donations, handled confidential paperwork, and processed a high volume of mail. This gave me a good understanding of how charities operate.
I’ve been working on…
A big part of my role is assessing grant applications, where I get to evaluate the immediate and long-term impacts of different projects. Working alongside the Grants Team has been fantastic for learning more about data analysis and making decisions. Coming from Tower Hamlets – one of our beneficiary areas – has also given me a personal connection to the work we do. It’s inspiring to visit local projects and see firsthand how they’re making a real difference in the community.
Building strong relationships with external organisations is also an important part of my role. Good communication is key to successful partnerships, and I’ve had the chance to improve this skill by facilitating meetings and attending networking events. It’s been a fantastic experience to collaborate with so many grantee organisations!
I’m most interested in…
The best part of my internship has been seeing the positive changes our grants bring to young people in London. Whether I’m visiting a project or presenting an application to the board, it feels amazing to contribute to making education more equitable. I’ve also loved developing professional relationships with my colleagues. Working with such a dedicated and experienced team has helped me learn new skills and understand the decision-making process in Trusts and Foundations.
Something I learned was…
One area where I’ve really grown is in data analytics. I’m currently working toward a Google Certificate in Data Analytics, which will help me use data for evidence-based decisions. I also completed a Microsoft Excel course, which has made my work a lot more efficient and accurate. I’m excited to keep building on these technical skills during the rest of my internship.
In a few years from now…
Looking ahead to the next three months of my internship, I’m excited about gaining new responsibilities and developing my skills. On top of that, I’m also studying for a degree in Maths, which I’ll be working on over the next couple of years. All of these experiences are giving me a fantastic foundation for my future career.
I’ve been working on…
A big part of my role is assessing grant applications, where I get to evaluate the immediate and long-term impacts of different projects. Working alongside the Grants Team has been fantastic for learning more about data analysis and making decisions. Coming from Tower Hamlets – one of our beneficiary areas – has also given me a personal connection to the work we do. It’s inspiring to visit local projects and see firsthand how they’re making a real difference in the community.
Building strong relationships with external organisations is also an important part of my role. Good communication is key to successful partnerships, and I’ve had the chance to improve this skill by facilitating meetings and attending networking events. It’s been a fantastic experience to collaborate with so many grantee organisations!
I’m most interested in…
The best part of my internship has been seeing the positive changes our grants bring to young people in London. Whether I’m visiting a project or presenting an application to the board, it feels amazing to contribute to making education more equitable. I’ve also loved developing professional relationships with my colleagues. Working with such a dedicated and experienced team has helped me learn new skills and understand the decision-making process in Trusts and Foundations.
Something I learned was…
One area where I’ve really grown is in data analytics. I’m currently working toward a Google Certificate in Data Analytics, which will help me use data for evidence-based decisions. I also completed a Microsoft Excel course, which has made my work a lot more efficient and accurate. I’m excited to keep building on these technical skills during the rest of my internship.
In a few years from now…
Looking ahead to the next three months of my internship, I’m excited about gaining new responsibilities and developing my skills. On top of that, I’m also studying for a degree in Maths, which I’ll be working on over the next couple of years. All of these experiences are giving me a fantastic foundation for my future career.