Theo

Student Partnership Intern at The University of Manchester

I graduated in 2024 with a BA in English Literature, and am currently working as a graduate intern in the Student Partnership team. My role mainly involves facilitating the University’s ‘Students as Partners’ offer, which means that I support students and staff to work in partnership on projects that improve teaching and learning and the student experience.

Give a quick snapshot of your role.

My role varies hugely day to day, but everything I do involves supporting our Student Partners to succeed and develop from the start to the end of their partnership. I help design and deliver their initial induction training, run further trainings on topics such as facilitating focus groups, and meet with them regularly throughout their contract to troubleshoot any issues they might have. Since being trained as an administrator on the University’s pay systems, I now also make sure all 30+ of our Student Partners are paid for the work they’ve done in time for each monthly deadline.

Beyond that, I also get lots of opportunities to work with colleagues across the wider Success and Development team in which the Student Partnership team sits. This includes helping to facilitate Peer Support training, supporting Volunteer Days, and promoting the Stellify Award.

What have you learnt during your MGT?

Alongside lots of invaluable soft skills – including effective time management, professional communication, and public speaking – I’ve also learnt loads about my team’s fascinating area of work, Students as Partners. In particular, by starting a Student Partners Network where students can socialise, collaborate, and help our team design their future sessions, I’ve learnt first-hand how much there is to gain from treating students as equal partners in shaping student experience. Speaking with others on MGT, I’ve found that interns in lots of different teams have also appreciated the chance to dive into the inner workings of one of the University’s many interesting services.

Why would you recommend MGT?

MGT allows you to build essential workplace skills with the support of managers and colleagues who have helped many other graduates do the same, while also providing tonnes of opportunities to explore different areas of interest, lead on your own projects, and find out what kind of work you most enjoy.

What are your plans for the future?

I hope to keep working in higher education, and maybe one day get started on a Master’s in Higher Education!

Please summarise your MGT experience in three words

Confidence-building, Exciting, Supportive