We are currently looking at different ways to help Royal Holloway final year students and recent graduates improve their employability in the context of a highly challenging job market. The Santander SME Internship Scheme could be a fantastic opportunity to support both our finalists / recent graduates and your business.

We know that these are times where it may feel difficult to envisage hosting an intern, however interns can be an effective way of getting jobs done that may have been put aside at this time, get projects back on track or support a new initiative that you are looking to implement. We’re also able to support remote working, so do get in touch for more guidance.

This scheme is open to all SMEs and internships are part-funded by Santander. Interns can start as soon as July 2020 and as late as 30 September 2020, for 4 to 8 weeks. You have full control of the recruitment process and can take advantage of the tailored support offered by our Careers team.

For further information on the scheme’s Terms and Conditions including eligibility criteria and funding allocation please follow this link and contact CareersPlacements@royalholloway.ac.uk if you are able to help.

This internship programme proved invaluable to recent graduate Will Barnes (pictured above), who studied both for his BSc in Geography and his Masters at Royal Holloway. During his internship with Common Vision, an independent think tank, Will was able to attend stakeholder meetings, including at the Cabinet Office, and be given increased responsibility. “The internship allowed me to move into more mainstream, integral roles and really get some incredible experience,” he says. “I was given responsibility that I hadn’t had before in volunteering. Whilst it was a challenge, it really tested me and helped me to grow as an individual.” 

Halfway through his placement, Will was offered a full-time contract with Common Vision and is now working as a Research and Programme Coordinator. “It was a huge surprise and I was over the moon. I’ve really started to embed myself into the organisation and am working on projects which are interesting and important.”

Having started university unclear about where his degree would lead him, Will is now firmly set on his path, “I went to uni not knowing what I wanted to do and came out knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Royal Holloway has helped me to take the skills I developed during my studies and use them in the workplace, through the Santander placement.”