Tilly Houston - Discovery Internship Case Study

Education and Primary Studies student Tilly Houston tells us about the Discovery Internship she completed during her second year at Knotty Ash Primary School and Deaf Resource Base.

Why did you want to do a Discovery Internship?

In my programme of study there is a large emphasis on gaining work experience and boosting your employability. I feel it’s important to take all the opportunities you are given at university that will make you more employable post-graduation. I thought an internship would be a great way to gain new skills, network and boost my CV.

Where did you find out about the internship?

I found out about the internship from the Unitemps website. I have done lots of work with Unitemps in the past and find it useful to frequently check their website for new job opportunities.

Describe the role you and your main duties

During my internship I had the opportunity to work in both a KS1 class and a KS2 class. My main duties included:

• Supporting students on a 1-1 basis during lessons.
• Being responsible for the guided reading, tracking the progress of students and encouraging them to engage with reading.
• Creating educational displays around the school.
• Supervising students on the yard during lunch and break.
• Preparing and organising learning resources for both KS1 and KS2.
• Assisting in live marking to provide immediate feedback for students.
• Helping in the planning and preparation of activity days for the students (World Book Day, Pirate Party for KS1).

What did the application and selection process involve, and how did you prepare for each stage?

I first had to fill out the application form on the Unitemps website. I also had to provide a cover letter detailing why I was interested in the position and why I would be a good fit.

I then received a call from the school asking me to come in for an interview.

I then attended the interview and went on a tour of the school with the headteacher. The interview was very informal and all members of staff were extremely welcoming towards me. We discussed my degree, my past work experience and my goals for the future.

Within a week I received an email from the school saying my interview was successful and they would like me to start the next week.

What relevant work experience, skills, volunteering or Student Union activities did you use during the selection process?

I talked about all the relevant experience I have such as:

• My Level 5 placement.
• The courses I have undertaken through uni (Paediatric First Aid, Makaton Level 2, Mental Health First Aid)
• My part time job in a high school.
• Mentoring schemes I have done through university.
• My work as a student advocate for LJMU.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Get involved! Check the Unitemps website, ask your personal tutor if there are any subsidised course available to you, contact JMSU (John Moores Students’ Union) and see if there are any relevant volunteering opportunities available. Get your money’s worth from your tuition and take advantage of everything available to you during your studies!

Would you do anything differently in terms of your employability if you were a first-year student again?

I would get involved earlier and engage more with university services. Stop worrying about rejection and push yourself. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Support from the Student Futures team 

If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team.  You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.

If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch, or visit the Start-up Hub website.

For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.