The Value of Internships

At the start of June 2018 my company decided to bring in three #interns for the summer. This followed presentations that I had given at Durham University on the diversity of the Security industry and the opportunities that exist to grow and have a rewarding, and very interesting career within the sector.

One of the interns was undertaking his 'Masters' dissertation with us, 'Protecting Educational Establishments from Terrorism', so it made sense to provide the opportunity for them to work within the organisation whilst completing their dissertation.

The second intern came about because due to work commitments there had been no time to address the social media aspects of Trident Manor's work. nor be proactive in outlining the services that are available. They had an interest in social media, film production and research so that was an obvious choice.

The final intern emailed me and said that she liked my presentation at Durham University and was interested in finding out a bit more about the sector....PS: any jobs going? After visiting us for an informal chat (that is what she thought) and sharing her CV I agreed to take her on over the summer to enable her to gain a greater understanding of the sector.

To make the internships meaningful for all parties' SMART objectives were prepared and agreed with the interns, whilst there was a single objective from the management team "To assist and support..." them during the internships.

During the three months the interns partook in threat, risk and vulnerability assessments, security research tasks, security training programmes and organising specialist security events. Off their own initiatives country threat reviews were created, a mapping system designed, and business intelligence capabilities increased.

The internships finished on the 31st August 2018, were they worth it? Firstly, I believe that each of the interns developed new skills, not just the professional ones but also the softer skills such as listening, public speaking and working on one's own initiative can bring. They experienced a fraction of the breadth of work undertaken within the security and risk management sectors; but certainly, more than many will experience whilst working for larger organisations.

However, learning is and should be a continuous process....and I learned! For those of us over 50 we have a great deal of life and operational experience, we might even be good with Excel, Word and PowerPoint; we may even be competent at using LinkedIn or Twitter. I found out that I was able to learn so much from the Interns by taking the time to listen and understand their perspectives; even having ethical discussions about cultural or geo-political matters. It was brilliant!

Overall, I think everybody benefited from internship programme, not only professionally but also privately as well. I know that one of my favourite moments was listening to two of them who after being given a Business Intelligence task worked together to find a solution without upward referral, listening to their enthusiasm and joy when they presented a solution was an absolute joy.

So what next? Well one of the interns has now gained employment in a prestigious establishment in London as a Security & Risk Analyst. The second is heading back to university to finish their final year, but because of their abilities to undertake and deliver excellent social media result may be offered continued part-time remote working; as long as it doesn't interfere with studies. The final intern impressed us so much that we have offered her a fix term contract to continue to develop and deliver within the sector!

At the start of the programme if somebody had said to be that I would have enjoyed the experience, learned from the experience or gained as much pleasures as I have through mentoring and developing the interns I would have been quite dismissive. Nothing could be further from the truth. The experience has reinvigorated my belief in the youth of today and strengthened my resolve to continue to assist in the professionalisation of the industry that I love so much.

These young adults are the key to a successful future within the security industry and as we continue on the professionalisation and development of the sector the creation and establishment of defined career paths across the sector is critical in order to retain such talent.

If you, like me believe that these you adults are the future industry leaders why not give interns a try....you never know you might enjoy it.