Manchester City Council has worked with Step for a number of years on their undergraduate summer internship programme. For the past two years the Council’s Policy, Partnerships and Research service has taken on two students for 12 week internships to assist with research projects around developing the evidence base for the city’s economic growth.
This year the Council took on two University of Manchester students, Connor who studies Geography with International Study and Juliet who studies Economics. Both were very successful in their positions, overcoming challenges and contributing a tremendous amount to the work of the City Council.
Their main role saw them involved in every aspect of initiating and delivering a research project. To begin with they were tasked with collecting raw data by surveying members of the public; they then inputted the data into excel and created interesting charts and maps so that the information could be clearly communicated. Finally, they added their own insightful analysis to make the data relevant to current policy issues before presenting their findings to the team.
Connor and Juliet were also tasked with assisting with other high-profile projects which have since been presented to senior managers at the Council and will inform future policy in the city.
The students’ line manager had some excellent feedback:
‘Connor has been a very positive addition to the team and his skills have clearly grown and developed over the placement. He has made a valuable contribution to the team and the city as a whole.’
‘Juliet has been a valuable addition to the team, she has acted professionally at all times and delivered two high profile pieces of work. Juliet has been brilliant to work with and keen to learn – she’ll be missed.’