Working to support young people, in 2018 we gave two interns the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and life skills at OPDC.
Welcoming two talented young people into our organisation had mutual benefits. While Julia and Jahidul took the opportunity to immerse themselves into working life, we jumped at the chance to capture their perspective on their four-week experience of working with us.
Julia shares her experience
OPDC was my first choice for my internship due to my interest in architecture and urban design. I knew that the experience would not only prepare me for the working world but also allow me to see the variety careers that are available in the industry.
The internship gave me an insight into what it is like to work in a public-sector organisation. From talks with project managers, to technical directors, to senior policy officers, I have gained a greater understanding of the range of roles that work together on a large development and regeneration project.
I was also given a range of projects and presentations to deliver myself including an engagement strategy for young people living in the Old Oak and Park Royal area.
I felt like my opinion and work was valued by colleagues.
The best part of my experience was the site visits, as unlike other interns, I was able to have a day out looking at the construction sites. It was amazing to have an overview of the development plans to clearly visualise the project that the team is working on.
During my time at OPDC, the team were very supportive. The advice I have received has influenced my decisions for the future. I now know that I would like to go to university and then pursue a career in development management. Throughout my journey as an intern I have gained skills, great contacts and had an unforgettable summer!
Jahidul shares his experience
While I know what I want to study at university I have not been sure about which career path I want to pursue afterwards. With so many career options out there, I was looking for an insight into the office environment and to gain relevant work experience.
Being an intern for OPDC has been a great experience. By contributing to presentations and organising my own meetings I have been able to meet lots of different people from a range of careers. Everyone has been very friendly and understanding and I received advice which will help develop my career in the future, as well as advice for university.
As an intern, there is a lot of work to do to support projects and presentations. The highlights of being an intern at OPDC are the site visits and discovering a lesser known spot in London. It provided the opportunity to get out, see London and learn about the changes that are happening.
Reflecting on my internship, I enjoyed working and socialising with my peers. My time with OPDC has provided me with the opportunity to collaborate on interesting projects. The skills that I have built on, such as presenting at workshops, will help when entering the world of work but also in my personal life too.
Overall, OPDC has been a great place to work during my summer and I will be able to take advantage of the new skills and experiences in the future.
It is not something I will forget anytime soon!