My experience of being an intern with Building Future Leaders

My name is Paris Jackson, a proud alumna of Nottingham Trent University, where I graduated in 2022 with a Bachelors degree in French and European Studies. Beyond my academic accomplishments, I'm a passionate advocate for sustainability and climate change mitigation.

In addition to my environmental interests, I have a background as a former GB kickboxing athlete and I'm currently honing my skills for my upcoming boxing debut. With a relentless drive and an unwavering commitment, I put my all into everything that I do.

Upon completing my university education in 2022, I embarked on a mission to secure a graduate role. Fuelled by confidence in my degree, I naively assumed that it would be the golden ticket to my dream job. However, as I delved into the job market, reality soon set in.

Despite my academic achievements, prospective employers were seeking candidates with relevant, professional work experience, and this realisation prompted a shift in my job-hunting strategy. I began actively seeking opportunities that would not only enhance my skill set but also provide me with the practical experience necessary to become an attractive candidate for employers. It was during this search that I stumbled upon an amazing opportunity.

Nottingham Trent University had partnered with Building Future Leaders, among other organisations, to offer internships. This was the turning point I had been waiting for, a chance to upskill while gaining invaluable professional experience.

Building Future Leaders is a company specialising in the housing and construction sector, dedicated to inspiring and empowering young professionals to reach their full potential. This mission takes on added significance in light of the ongoing climate crisis and the UK governments commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The housing and construction sector is a major contributor to UK carbon emissions, making it a crucial area for reform.

Simultaneously, the UK faces a housing crisis, with limited access to affordable housing and an insufficient number of homes to accommodate a growing population. To address these challenges, the UK government has invested billions of pounds in a bid to build

300,000 homes annually and retrofit existing buildings to reduce carbon emissions and align with current housing standards. However, the sector faces a looming workforce crisis, with 20% of its employees set to retire by 2027. This impending skills gap and labour shortage threaten to derail the UK's housing and climate targets. This is why Building Future Leaders has such a significant role to play in the sector as its aim is to attract and retain talented candidates into the roles in high demand so that the UK can reach its housing and climate targets.

My internship with Building Future Leaders has been a remarkable journey. It has opened my eyes to an entirely new sector, broadening my career prospects and reinforcing my determination to work in an environmental role where meaningful change can be achieved.

Throughout the internship, I've had the privilege of acquiring new skills, from improving my proficiency in Excel to engaging in insightful conversations with industry experts, receiving career guidance, connecting with existing and potential partners, conducting extensive research on the UK social housing industry, and crafting interview questions for industry professionals. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to manage social media accounts, spearhead company campaigns, and contribute to blogs and articles that address sustainability in the housing and construction sector.

One of the most captivating aspects of my internship was engaging in conversations with well-respected industry experts. I felt honoured that CEO's and other professionals dedicated their valuable time to speak with me. These conversations not only provided me with valuable insights into the industry but also offered invaluable career advice. They were truly inspiring and further fuelled my determination to champion environmental causes and sustainable living. My involvement in industry research was equally stimulating. I learned a great deal about sustainability and decarbonisation in the housing and construction sector, reinforcing my commitment to making a positive impact on the world through my future career endeavors.

As my internship with Building Future Leaders draws to a close, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. When I graduated, I was uncertain about the specific role I wanted to pursue. However, this internship has broadened my career prospects significantly. I was unaware of the multitude of roles within the sector that would enable me to contribute positively to society and the environment. Now, armed with this knowledge, I am eager to explore the job market in the sector and actively seek roles that allow me to channel my passion and effect meaningful change.

My internship with Building Future Leaders has been a transformative experience, both personally and professionally. It has opened doors, broadened my perspective, and ignited a fervor to make a genuine difference in the world through sustainability efforts. As I move forward, I do so with a clear sense of purpose and determination to be a catalyst for positive change in the housing and construction sector. I am excited to see what the future holds.