Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen has highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for young people to take part in internship programmes as a way of gaining invaluable industry experience.
As part of the Aberdeen charity’s summer internship programme, Sport Aberdeen was delighted to offer placements to two students, providing a real hands on feel for working in the leisure industry.
Twenty-year-old Stephanie Watson, an International Business student at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, recently finished a six-week placement which saw her working under Sport Aberdeen’s Digital and Communications leads within the busy Marketing and Communications department based at the charity’s head office in Bridge of Don.
Stephanie spoke fondly of her experience and commented:
“Internships are becoming increasingly more important to young people. There is a huge amount of competition when trying to secure a job post-graduation and therefore having internship experience puts you in an advantageous position.
“Sport Aberdeen has provided me with invaluable experience within their marketing department.
“They have created an opportunity which has allowed me to apply the knowledge I have gained at university to real-life situations and have also allowed me an insight into how a large organisation operates, which will be very beneficial for my future career.”
Megan Westwick, who is going into her final year at Banff Academy, was appointed to her position through Aberdeen City Council as part of their ‘Career Ready’ internship scheme, which aims to support young people to develop skills, confidence and gain the experience needed to kickstart a rewarding future career.
Megan’s four-week placement saw her assist Sport Aberdeen’s Active Schools team in the running of their busy summer holiday camps programme at the Beach Leisure Centre.
Nickie Scorgie, Sport Aberdeen's head of HR and organisational development, said:
“It has been fantastic having Stephanie and Megan on board with us over the summer in two very different, yet equally rewarding roles and Sport Aberdeen prides itself on providing an environment that attracts, develops and retains talent, from volunteers and interns right through to senior management positions.
“From citywide gyms and fitness facilities, to work within the wider communities through our Active Schools and Active Lifestyles programmes, we are in a unique position to offer a diverse range of work experience opportunities.
“The charity benefits hugely from investing in young people and we look to build a local network through the internship programme, aiming to attract students who share Sport Aberdeen’s vision of inspiring people, creating opportunities and changing lives through sport and physical activity.”