Hi, I’m Suze Sidney a second-year Physical Geography student at Lancaster University. Last summer, I completed a data analysis internship, and since then, I’ve been looking for more ways to gain experience and figure out what direction I want to take after graduating. That’s why I applied for a micro-internship through Lancaster’s Grow Your Future (GYF) project. From December to March, I worked a few hours each week with the Procurement and Sustainability Team, supporting a project focused on Scope 3 emissions that fed directly into the university’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2030, so it felt rewarding to contribute to something with real impact.

Why I Applied

I applied for a few reasons. I wanted to build professional experience for my CV, earn a bit of extra money, and have something meaningful to do alongside studying. Most importantly, I’m still figuring out what I want to do long-term, and this felt like a good way to explore a new area without taking on a full-time commitment. The fact that the internship was flexible and part-time made it a great opportunity.

What the Internship Was Like

The work itself was really engaging and manageable even during busier periods of the term. My main task was to find and analyse data from the university’s suppliers, looking at their reported carbon emissions and revenue. From there, I looked at how much of each supplier’s emissions could be attributed to the University’s procurement activities. I also assessed whether suppliers had formal carbon reduction targets in place.

Most of the work was independent, which was a change from group projects at university. Although it could feel isolating at times, it gave me valuable insight into how office environments work and how sustainability data is used in practice, which relates to my course. I also gained a much deeper understanding of how companies are responding to increasing climate expectations, and how inconsistent emissions reporting still is across industries.

Even though I was working individually, it was motivating to know that the project contributed directly to Lancaster’s Net Zero 2030 strategy.

Challenges Along the Way

One of the main challenges was working alone without a team to regularly collaborate with. It required more self-motivation than I was used to, and it could be a little lonely and meant I felt hesitant when asking my colleagues questions. Thankfully, my manager was really supportive and I eventually felt comfortable asking questions whenever I was unsure and having that support made a big difference.

What I Learned

One of the most valuable skills I developed was time management. I learned how to focus and work consistently over longer periods without distractions. The internship also helped me apply concepts from my degree, like Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, to real-world scenarios, which made my academic learning feel much more relevant.

Most importantly, it gave me a clearer idea of the type of work I enjoy and the kind of working environments I thrive in, which is exactly what I was hoping for when I applied.

Would I Recommend It?

Absolutely. Micro-internships are a great way to gain real experience while balancing your studies. They help build your CV and expand your professional network. One of the best outcomes of my internship was being invited back for a summer role with the Procurement Team. When they needed extra support, they thought of me, and that opportunity came directly from the experience and connections I made during the micro-internship.

Micro-internships are a great and manageable way to get real world experience for you own development and CV whilst also making a little money.

You can find out more about GROW Your Future here - https://portal.lancaster.ac.uk/ask/grow-your-future/ - and new Micro Internship opportunities are advertised here - https://temps.lancaster-university.co.uk/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx

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The opinions expressed by our bloggers and those providing comments are personal, and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lancaster University. Responsibility for the accuracy of any of the information contained within blog posts belongs to the blogger.