Details

The Linda Norgrove Foundation was set up in memory of Linda Norgrove, a Scottish Aid worker who was kidnapped in Afghanistan and subsequently died during a failed rescue attempt by US Special Forces in October 2010. The Foundation trustees were at the point of considering whether to employ a staff member to develop its work; therefore the internship offered a perfect opportunity to explore their options without making a permanent commitment.

The Foundation interviewed 4 potential interns for their 10-week Development Officer internship and were so impressed that they offered a position to not one but two interns (and said they would cheerfully have hired everyone if they could afford it!). Rachel Wade was the first intern to undertake the internship.

For Rachel the internship interview was her first proper interview and she found it a bit daunting, not knowing if she was saying the “right” things; but the Foundation were quick to put her at her ease, both in the interview and during the internship. As Rachel says: “The Foundation have been positive and supportive the whole time which has made the transition from uni very easy.”

The internship was based between John Norgrove’s office and the Uig Community Shop where Rachel had desk space a couple of days per week. This is not the only partnership the Foundation has used to support the internship. It also has a partnership with local development charity Cothrom; who are acting as Rachel’s employer as the Foundation didn’t have the capacity to do this. These partnerships have been essential to enabling the internship to happen.

Rachel undertook a varied range of development activities from developing the Foundation’s profile on Facebook and Twitter to supporting fundraising events such as the Lewis Tractor Run and an Ultramarathon across the Western Isles. This involved a lot of PR and press work; John Norgrove (Foundation Trustee) noted: “Rachel has gained lots more knowledge about writing for the media. She’s also learned that representing an organisation is a different angle to being at university.”

Rachel feels that she is “…building on the skills from my degree and putting these into practice. I couldn’t do what I’m doing now before I did my degree.”  She also feels that the positive feedback and support which she has received has really helped her to develop her skills and knowledge. The regular bi-weekly formal progress review meetings have been good but it is the informal learning and support which she’s found most useful. Rachel has found that the demands on the Foundation can be so unpredictable that you need to be able to constantly adapt to deal with whatever comes up. For her, this flexibility and well as being willing to take constructive criticism is key to completing an internship. However she advises organisations: “Never underestimate the power of constructive and positive response to interns’ work. Interns will do more for less because they’ve been recognised."

This internship appears to have been a positive experience for both the Foundation and Rachel. John Norgrove commented:  “We have undoubtedly benefitted from the internship. I can imagine how things would’ve been if we hadn’t had an intern.” Rachel added: “Don’t hesitate to do an internship, I totally recommend it.”

Watch a video interview to accompany this case study here.