As a Geography graduate studying at the University of Bristol, sustainability has always been an interest of mine and something Iwish to pursue in my future career. Growing up near the coast and spending most of my free time outdoors has instilled in me a sense of responsibility to protect the planet. After finishing deadlines, I was seeking experience in a role where I could apply the knowledge gained through my degree whilst developing my skills. That’s why I was thrilled when given the opportunity to intern at Pointer.
My Internship Project
My core project consisted of producing a Service Development Plan for sustainability drop-in sessions for Pointer to host. To begin, I created a questionnaire to measure sustainability performance across 3 areas: Sustainability Strategy, Environment, and Social Value. These responses generated a sustainability performance score, helping identify priority areas of support. This was an interesting and engaging project, with the aim to promote Pointer’s service offerings and expand to a broader and diverse range of organisations.
In addition to this, I supported market research tasks by identifying new potential client opportunities informed by previous projects. This experience highlighted the importance of understanding our client base to tailor services to their needs.
The Pointer team have supported my professional development through various '101' sessions, which are high level summaries of various topics, including Project Management, ED&I, Consultancy, and Carbon Offsetting. I found that these helped develop my baseline understanding of complex topics which was particularly valuable for my first experience within a consultancy.
Reflections
Whilst I developed a strong understanding of sustainability through my studies, this internship gave me insight into how sustainability applies in practice. Throughout my Geography degree, I covered
sustainability broadly, from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals to renewable energy systems. However, within a corporate context, I have seen how sustainability can be practically embedded within business strategy. This is because as our climate changes, organisations need to adapt and adhere to evolving policies and regulations. Sustainability is therefore essential for future-proofing businesses and building resilience. Learning how Pointer supports organisations navigate these challenges, such as through calculating carbon emissions to identify areas for improvement, to curating sustainable travel policies to reduce transport-related emissions, has enhanced my understanding of how to implement meaningful solutions.
During my internship I have also learnt how demonstrating sustainability is increasingly essential for clients, impacting investment decisions and their ability to win contracts. The general exposure to consultancy operations has been particularly beneficial for me. Observing communication with clients and the processes involved in delivering projects has provided insight into how tasks are managed in daily operations. Engaging in broader activities, such as creating marketing resources, helped me appreciate the different requirements and functions that contribute to a successful consultancy.
Conclusions
Overall, Pointer has provided the perfect space to bridge my transition between academic study and professional practice. The collaborative culture at Pointer, alongside the space to contribute my own ideas and receive valuable feedback, has developed my confidence and professional skills. This opportunity has also reinforced my ambition to pursue a sustainability-related career, providing foundational knowledge and practical experience that I will carry into my future professions.
The Pointer team could not have given me a warmer welcome. I felt supported and encouraged from day one. Completing this internship has been an invaluable and rewarding experience, and I strongly encourage anyone seeking a similar opportunity to apply.
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