Elisa Vincent, 3rd year Economics student, spent one semester interning for the Careers Service in 2025. Read on to find out what Elisa says about her experience as an Employ.ed Project Development Intern.
What was your role and how did you find the opportunity?
I spent the first semester of my third year as an Employ.ed Project Development Intern at the Careers Service. The role allowed me to learn so much, build meaningful connections, and contribute to the University as an employee as well as a student.
I found the opportunity on MyCareerHub and, after a bit of hesitation about whether to apply, I ended up submitting my application shortly before the deadline. While I wouldn’t recommend leaving it so late, I’m very glad that I decided to apply in the end!
What motivated you to apply for an Employ.ed Internship?
During my second year at University, I completed a remote internship with a London-based start-up. While I learned a lot at that internship and had a supportive team, working remotely made it difficult to build strong connections and maintain a good work-life balance. Going into my Employ.ed internship, I really wanted to build strong connections with my team and experience working in person in an office space. I was also excited by the opportunity to contribute to projects that would benefit other students and make a difference on campus.
What kind of work did you do during your internship?
My internship consisted of a lot of things, which was great because I got to contribute to a wide range of projects. For example, I brainstormed and drafted social media content on a variety of topics such as Widening Participation opportunities, Careers Service offers, and the Employ.ed programme itself. I also did some behind-the-scenes work, I edited university web pages, test-drove a pilot Edinburgh Award programme, and assisted with job postings on MyCareerHub.
What was it like working in person at the Careers Service?
My internship was completed entirely in person at the Careers Service office, which I really enjoyed. Though many people prefer to work from home, I found that being in the office helped me focus on my work a lot more easily. Everyone in the office was so lovely and there’s also the perk of having access to a kitchen stocked with tea and coffee whenever I liked!
How did you balance the internship with your studies?
Going into the office meant that I had clearly set work hours, which helped me separate my work from my university commitments. In general, it was easy to balance the internship with my other commitments, as I was able to build it into my routine, and there was no expectation for me to be online outside of my work hours.
What skills and insights did you gain from the experience?
I learned a lot from this internship. As a student, it was so interesting to get an inside look into how a key university service operates and supports students. I also gained really valuable skills in Office 365 and SharePoint, reviewing and editing documents for student and staff use, and brainstorming content and ways to connect with the student population. Being a student, myself also meant that I could contribute a student perspective to projects, and give honest insight into what students think of the Careers Service and what they should know more about.
Looking back how would you summarise your experience?
Ultimately, this internship was the best job I could have asked for as a university student. The time commitment was perfectly doable (10 hours per week during semester time), all my colleagues and my manager were really supportive, and it allowed me to earn a bit of money, all while gaining great experience that I can (hopefully!) apply to future jobs.
Are you interested in finding out more about the Employ.ed on Campus Internship Programme?
Employ.ed on Campus Internships are for 2nd, 3rd and penultimate year undergraduate students. These opportunities offer you a chance to gain paid work experience at the university during the summer or throughout the semester. You will take part in structured activities and receive dedicated support to help guide your experience and enhance your professional development.
Employ.ed on Campus | Careers Service | Careers Service
