Businesses across all sectors are being urged to benefit from dynamic science and technology students.
Internships are sought for students studying a range of subjects at Lancaster University – such as environmental science, chemistry, computing and communications, cyber-security, engineering, maths and statistics, physics, and psychology.
The university would particularly welcome interest from businesses that have opportunities for students who could work within their companies on internships during the summer months between July and September next year.
Previous internships have led to tangible benefits to the host businesses.
LEC student Sally Malcolm, Environmental Science, was recruited through the Science and Technology Internship Programme for a four week internship with The Land Trust.
“Sally produced a first class piece of work for us, presented very well, clear and concise. She has been a delight to have in the office,” Euan Hall, Chief Executive of The Land Restoration Trust Services Limited
Laura Waterson, Geography, and Alex Briggs, Geography and Biology, were recruited for a twelve week internship with Intelligent Turf.
“We benefited by the creation of two new products. We found the internship programme very useful and the support offered through the process very helpful.” Owen Mullen, Director, Intelligent Turf Limited.
Additional examples of successful previous placements include: a ‘psychology of advertising’ student providing recommendations of marketing language to increase the business’ client base; an engineering student working with a major public services contracting company on reducing failure rates of jet hoses; a computer science student was able to develop a new tool to help promote his host company.
Pam Pickles, Student Employability Manager at Lancaster University’s Faculty of Science and Technology, said: “Student partnerships and internships are a great cost-effective way for businesses to gain new ideas and insights from young, enthusiastic and self-motivated people.
“These kinds of placements have a strong track-record of delivering solutions for businesses as well as helping to ensure our talented students gain quality additional experience and skills that will be invaluable for when they complete their studies and begin their careers.”
Internships can vary in length from one month up to 12 months. They can be full-time or part-time, and as well as the summer internships, other opportunities are desired throughout the year.
Internships cost the businesses £1,150+VAT per month and this money is paid to the student as a wage. There are also part-funded internships available, including 15 internships through a scheme sponsored by Santander which provides the equivalent of 11 weeks work at a cost of £1,800+VAT to the business, which is matched by Santander and is also paid to the students.
During the last academic year 366 students took part in collaborations with businesses.
More information about the internships is available by visiting www.lancaster.ac.uk/sci-tech/internships/ or by contacting Pam Pickles by emailing p.pickles@lancaster.ac.uk or by calling 01524 510193.