My name is Matt, and I am a Biomedical Science student from the University of Sheffield working as the Research Grants Intern at The Brain Tumour Charity. Here, I am orchestrating the behind-the-scenes admin that helps new, exciting research into brain tumours get reviewed and funded!  

I have made invaluable connections to researchers in the field, developed so many skills to take forward into my career, and thoroughly enjoyed working in The Brain Tumour Charity’s friendly environment! 

Applying for my role

Whilst navigating the waters of applying for my role, The Charity were incredibly clear with the steps needed to progress through the stages. I never had to experience that dreaded void of uncertainty when applying for my placement, as I was kept informed throughout the entire process – no being left in the dark for ages (as I’m sure we are all used to).  

The final stage of recruitment involved completing a mock task, mirroring the sort of thing I would be expecting to do day-to-day. This was a great insight into my work and was a completely new experience for me. The interview was friendly and supportive, and afterwards I was given the unique opportunity to actually meet my soon-to-be team and ask them any questions. This was one of the nicest elements of the whole process in my opinion, as for a short time I could let my guard down, socialise and get to know everyone (and figure out where the nearest pubs were!). 

Upon receiving the offer, I was given time to reflect and weigh up the role in my own time and was not pressured to accept on the spot. This was a big step for me, as it meant relocating all the way down south, away from everything I knew. However, my team were happy to kindly recommend me nice locations to live, which helped me out massively! 

Joining The Charity

It was very daunting walking into the office for the first time as the newbie, but I quickly settled in. It was probably the most relaxed office environment and layout I could have imagined, which was ideal for calming the first-day nerves. My team were there to welcome me and get me started and gave me a really helpful introduction to the role.  

I was initially worried about how fast I would be flung into the actual work – luckily, the training process was very smooth. The Charity had a comprehensive plan outlining my first 100 days, ranging from setting up my software and completing training to meeting all the teams! Combined with individual training from my team, I integrated into the workforce in a very natural way, picking up my own projects as I went along. 

One of my other worries was how I would fit into a new office culture, and if I would get to do any socials outside of work. As a team, we have been for meals, drinks and activity days together, and really bonded in these experiences. My manager was also my biggest supporter when it came to inclusion and sociability, encouraging me to engage with other teams and explore new tasks that interested me.  

Present Day and Advice

Coming up to the end of my placement, I have been with The Charity for 11 months now and it has genuinely developed me in ways I didn’t think possible. I am encouraged to be confident, lead projects and engage with other teams whenever possible. I have done work far beyond the original description of my role, from website articles and content creation to financial flowcharts – all from opportunities I created myself. One of the best parts is the ability to actually use my degree, helping me understand scientific reports and follow along with complicated applications. From this, I also get to learn about loads of new scientific avenues yet to be explored, and witness the forefront of medical advancements before they hit the clinic.