Luke went from graduate intern to promoting the University globally

Luke Cumiskey is helping to promote Teesside University to potential students across the globe after securing a graduate internship.

After initially starting his career with Teesside University as a Policy and Research Intern, he went on to take up his current role in the University’s Department for International Development as International Recruitment Assistant.

Luke, 23, began his internship with the Vice-Chancellor’s Office Policy Team straight after completing his BA (Hons) Business Management studies in 2019.

He spent three months with the Policy team before being promoted to a full-time role as Policy and Research Intern. His work with the policy team involved helping to build the University’s political engagement strategy and analysing developments in government policy related to higher education.

Luke said: “I really wanted some practical work experience to complement the theoretical learning at university. The Graduate Internship Scheme offered a diverse and interesting range of placements.

“I applied for the role of Policy and Research Intern as it seemed both really interesting and challenging in terms of working within government policy analysis.

“My role involved helping with government policy analysis, in relation to any new government policies regarding the higher education sector. I would analyse and then present to university management, assessing the threats and opportunities that came with these new policy developments.

“I also completed a lot of outreach work, contacting Tees Valley MPs and government ministers with portfolios covering the higher education sector, to connect them with the University and highlight the great work the University does.

“I currently still work at the University, as International Recruitment Assistant and Scholarship Lead in the Department for International Development.

“The internship really helped with my interpersonal and communication skills, working with so many different teams. It also massively helped to increase my self-confidence, having to present data and analysis to senior management.

“I would really encourage anyone interested in the Graduate Internship Scheme to apply. It is a great scheme to gain experience, especially when entering an ever-fiercer job market. Make sure you take on every opportunity in the scheme, work hard and you never know where it will lead.”

We have almost 150 vacancies on our Summer Graduate Internship Scheme, available to 2021 UK graduates and 2022 UK final year students. The three month paid internships run from 4 July to 18 September and we have opportunities at companies including:

Teesside Hospice
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Ithica Films
Fujifilm Diosynth Technologies

Apply from 14 to 29 April and start your graduate journey.

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