Zest Supports Internship Placement for Career Ready Programme Participant

Zest throughout July held their first internship placement. Grace, a talented student from County Durham, who participated in the Career Ready Programme. Grace undertook a four-week paid internship as a Social Value and Sustainability Intern within the Customer Experience Team.

Grace went through the complete recruitment process, gaining valuable application and interview experience that provided her with insights into what to expect when seeking her first role after completing her education. From day one, Grace experienced life as a Zestee, attending an induction at our Leeds head office. Alongside other new starters, she received an overview of the company's mission, values, and ongoing projects.

Grace's passion for environmental and social issues fueled her motivation and commitment throughout the experience. She demonstrated a willingness to learn and take initiative, ensuring she gained valuable skills and knowledge. Grace has developed an understanding of sustainability principles, including familiarity with The Social Value Model, National TOMs and UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Grace engaged in cross-functional collaboration, working closely with various teams and departments. Through experiential learning and mentorship, she developed skills in research, communication, and project management. This opportunity supported her professional development by exposing her to industry challenges and providing hands-on experience in impact measurement and reporting. Additionally, Grace had the chance to network with established professionals within in a range of roles providing exposure to a number of unexplored career pathways

Throughout the internship, Grace developed a range of transferrable skills that will be invaluable in her future endeavors. By creating communication materials such as social media posts and case studies, she enhanced her content creation and digital marketing skills, crucial for any role involving communication and outreach. Drafting template emails to engage community partners honed her professional email communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, aligning with project goals and KPIs. Reviewing projects and proposing improvements strengthened her analytical and problem-solving skills, essential for evaluating performance and implementing enhancements. Conducting a local needs analysis and stakeholder mapping exercise refined her research, data interpretation, and strategic planning capabilities. Crafting introductory text for the sales and tendering team and developing new educational resources showcased her writing skills and creativity, which are critical for designing engaging content. Acting as a guest speaker and presenting projects over Microsoft Teams improved her public speaking and virtual communication skills, while initiating a creative promotional piece demonstrated her ability to drive and innovate projects.

Grace's internship at Zest enabled her to make significant contributions to our social value initiatives and become a valued member of the customer experience team. These diverse experiences have equipped Grace with a robust set of transferrable skills, preparing her for future career opportunities and professional growth.

“I am grateful to Zest for the opportunity to complete an internship. Throughout my placement, I had numerous chances to develop my skills and connect with many individuals who provided valuable mentorship, helping me expand my professional network. It was enlightening to work with different parts of the business and understand how each department contributes to Zest's overall goals. Being part of such a positive work environment was fantastic, and I learned the importance of punctuality, professional attire, hard work, and teamwork. I particularly enjoyed working on sustainability projects and am proud that my contributions will drive positive change. I highly recommend a work placement at Zest, as it exposed me to potential careers I had never considered before. Completing this internship will give me a competitive edge in my career, allowing me to discuss my experiences and the role I played in supporting the business.”

- Grace Winter

We are proud of Grace's accomplishments and excited to see her continued growth both personally and professionally. We hope she has enjoyed her time with Zest and considers us as a potential future employer. Grace is encouraged to reach out to her network for support and advice as she moves forward. She will also remain involved in the Career Ready programme for the rest of the year, during which we will assist her in planning her next steps and continue to support her development.

I want to acknowledge a few of the other Zestees who made this opportunity possible by offering a genuine insight into the working world and sharing their personal journeys. The work-based projects were well-received and aligned with Grace’s broader aspirations. I’m confident that Grace had a positive experience, and it’s thanks to your dedication and efforts that made this success happen.

Karl O'Toole (Assoc CIPD) | Georgina Neal (Assoc CIPD) | Alice Croasdell | Becky Mee | Bethanie Short | Charlie Adams | Crystal Badesha | Emma Waters | Julie Davies | Kirsty Garner B.Sc. Tech IOSH AIEMA | Hannah Palmer-Bownes | Rob Scott | Karen Hammond | Mike R. | ??Mark Elliott ???? | Robin Heap

I would strongly encourage any organisations not currently partnering with Career Ready to consider doing so. Offering mentorship and internships can have a profound impact on a young person's future. Providing such experiences opens doors to countless opportunities and can significantly shape their career trajectory. Everyone benefits from having a mentor, whether for developing soft skills, professional growth, or gaining new perspectives through support, advice, and guidance.