Candidate Testimonies

Uni4Talent was a very quick and easy process from application to first day in the role. Communication was good with swift responses to clarify matters.

I received further support during my time in the role from Uni4Talent, so it was not just a recruitment process but a recruitment/support and check in to ensure my assignment has been appropriate.

I have enjoyed my time working within the Work Based Learning team on a difficult project to complete. All staff have been a great help in bringing me on board to quickly work on the project. I have found the University of Sunderland to be a great place to work.

I finish the casual worker position on a positive, as I have gained full time permanent employment within the private sector.

Uni4Talent offers great opportunities for graduates and people at the start of their career. I would recommend Uni4Talent’s website to others to find new opportunities.

I have really enjoyed my internship at the Cultural Spring during the 12 month internship. I have developed new skills in marketing, finance and producing. After the internship I am continuing to work for the Cultural Spring charity as a Project Assistant which I am excited to start.

Megan Disken – January 2024

Jemma was extremely helpful and supportive throughout the recruitment process. Communications were clear and all my queries / questions were answered promptly throughout my internship.

I enjoyed my internship and have now been offered a new position in the team at South Tyneside Council – the internship helped me do this. I have learnt lots of new skills that will help me in future roles.

Megan Kay – December 2023

Beth was recently recruited and hired via Uni4Talent on a 12 month Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Internship –

I started working at Sunderland University in September 2023 as the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion intern, alongside Justine (EDI Manager) and previous Uni4Talent intern Niamh, who after successfully completing the same internship become the EDI Coordinator.

I have already learnt so much and met so many wonderful people in my short time here. The purpose of my role is to be student focused and to contribute to the development of student engagement with our EDI provision at the University.

I had a very positive experience as a student at Sunderland University and felt fully supported throughout my degree by my course lecturers and university staff, so when the opportunity arose for the EDI internship via Uni4Talent, a role that aligns with my own personal values, I jumped at the chance.

Stay tuned to see how my experience and internship develops – to be continued.

Jemma at Uni4Talent has been so helpful and communicative within the recruitment process and once placed within internship.

So far the Graphic Design internship has been great, I have learnt so many new skills which are relevant to my line of work. My line manager allows me to decide which task I want to work on depending on my interests which has really supported my growth and development.

Uni4Talent is a good platform to discover graduate opportunities and more. I found the application process easy, with gaining an interview date soon after sending off my application and also finding out on the same day as my interview that I was successful on achieving the role which I appreciated the fast communication.

My internship was based within the University of Sunderland within the Home Student Recruitment team. I had a really good experience within my internship and I found out the role was so much more than I had anticipated it to be and I had a lot of responsibilities. I really enjoyed working on my own projects and the responsibility of that was something I hadn’t experience before. I enjoyed the work place and team so much that when a higher position became available I applied because I wanted to continue on with the team longer and keep progressing and continue to use the skills I have learn but also gain new skills from the step up to Events and Applicant Experience Assistant.

Jess Houliston – October 2023

As I work my last working day at MTC Training and Hope Street Xchange, I wanted to send Jemma and the Uni4Talent team a special message.

I wanted to personally thank Jemma from the bottom of my heart for being the most supportive Recruitment Co-Ordinator ever! The help and encouragement has been invaluable, and I genuinely believe I wouldn’t have landed the internship without her in my corner.

I’ll always remember how Jemma provided the clearest voice I’ve ever talked to, and that meant the world to me as an international employee. 😄 Many others speak so fast that I can barely catch a word, but with her, everything was smooth sailing!

As I venture into new opportunities, I will carry with me the fond memories of our interactions and how Jemma made my time here better. Your kindness and understanding have truly made a difference.

Wishing you all the best and sending you a big virtual hug! 🤗

Much love

Tammy Ho

I believe Uni4Talent have been beneficial in terms of helping me to start my professional journey. Last summer, I came across Uni4Talent which were advertising a number of positions and decided to apply for the role of Digital Content Intern with South Tyneside Council. The interview turned around quickly and before I knew it, I had accepted the position and was delighted to be working. The connections Uni4Talent have certainly been very handy in getting the position with STC and it has been useful to be able to rely on the support that Uni4Talent can offer.

The internship has been a great experience which has offered me a massive variety of job experiences and tasks, it’s been a fantastic first job. I think the internship has helped greatly towards being able to secure permanent employment in a role with the Department for Business and Trade. Before I took on the role with South Tyneside Council last August, I was getting a reasonable number of interviews but was often finding that the examples that I was giving weren’t quite strong enough to help me to sell myself and my skills effectively. South Tyneside Council were willing to give me plenty of varied experience in terms of communication and content which, along with my other work experience, helped me to give a diverse range of answers. This meant that within two job interviews, I was able to secure a role as a Junior Content Designer.

Ethan Knowlson – July 2023

Embarking on a journey towards a career that aligns with your passion can be a truly fulfilling experience. As a recent graduate from Newcastle University, I found myself driven by my fervour for Human Geography and its interconnectedness with political, social, and emotional geographies. This led me to seek a career path dedicated to promoting Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). I would like to share my transformative internship experience at The University of Sunderland, encouraging aspiring individuals to consider the remarkable opportunities that await them in the field of EDI.

The University of Sunderland, in collaboration with Uni4Talent, offered a position that seemed both challenging and inspiring. I found myself feeling completely at home at The University of Sunderland, connected to a job that resonated with my deepest passion and now gaining permanent employment.

As a member of the EDI Team, which comprises the EDI manager and myself, I discovered the strength and impact that a small but passionate team can have. My responsibilities spanned a wide range, including administrative tasks, organising meetings, engaging with stakeholders, and establishing connections with external organisations. However, a significant part of my role involved providing support to the eight Staff Networks.

Working alongside EDI manager and the passionate Network Chairs has been a truly fulfilling experience, encouraging me to strive towards furthering my professional experience. For example, one remarkable achievement during my internship at The University of Sunderland was the opportunity to present the EDI Training evaluation data to the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Social Responsibility Group (EDISRG), which is chaired by Jon Timmis, Deputy Vice Chancellor.

The University of Sunderland’s Staff Networks, consisting of the REACH Network, Pride Network, Enabled Network, Family Network, Carers Network, Women’s Network, Veterans and Reservists Network, and Menopause Network, serve as powerful spaces for connection and support. My involvement allowed me to gain profound insights into these communities, cultivating a deeper understanding of their challenges. This heightened awareness equipped me with the knowledge to provide meaningful support to staff members who identified with these communities. What sets these Staff Networks apart is their ability to create unique and inclusive spaces. Each network occupies its own niche, catering to the specific needs and interests of its members.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship involved organising in-person awareness events. Notably, I initiated the Islamophobia Awareness Event during Islamophobia Awareness Month in 2022. This experience provided me with valuable insights into event planning, ensuring attendee safety through meticulous risk assessments, collaborating with Campus Security to prioritise staff and student wellbeing, leveraging platforms like Eventbrite to estimate attendance, and fostering collaborations with external organisations such as The Aziz Foundation. Working alongside the REACH Network Chairs, Jolel Miah and Shah Amin, provided unwavering support and encouragement throughout the event.

Reflecting upon my transformative internship journey, I am compelled to recommend The University of Sunderland to anyone passionate about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. The experience I gained throughout my time here has proven to be invaluable, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. The University of Sunderland offers a nurturing environment where your dedication to EDI can thrive, empowering you to become a catalyst for positive change in society.

Embracing an internship in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at The University of Sunderland can be a life-changing opportunity for individuals aspiring to make a meaningful impact. By engaging with diverse communities, supporting student societies, and organising awareness events, you can contribute to fostering an inclusive culture within the university and beyond. The journey towards creating a more equitable and diverse society begins with each one of us. Uni4Talent and the University of Sunderland eagerly awaits passionate individuals to join their mission of shaping a more inclusive future.

Niamh Gallagher – June 2023

‘I have really enjoyed working for Uni4Talent and I didn’t feel separated from my other colleagues, I felt part of the university team. I have had no issues – lots of good communication and no issues with my payment dates.

I feel as though my internship has really supported me in gaining further employment, as I have gained a permanent position as an assistant after my internship. Having the opportunity for an internship meant that I could expand upon my transferable skills and build up confidence in my role.

Soph Storey – March 2023

‘I feel very privileged to be in this new role and owe my opportunity to Uni4talent. I originally applied for a different role and after Uni4Talent considered my application closely, they offered me an interview for a different role that better suited to my skills. I feel very lucky to have applied using Uni4talent, and feel humbled that they loved my CV and thought me to be a worthy candidate for another position.

Uni4talent provided supported throughout the application process, and answered all my questions and queries. I received plenty information regarding the role and made me feel excited about the position. 

This to me showed how much time and consideration they take in everyone that applies. They were so kind, thoughtful and professional. Without them I would be unable to thrive in my new role and feel as confident as I do. I owe my success in the start of my career fully to Uni4talent, and couldn’t thank them enough.

Kate Brady – October 2022

Lauren has gained permanent employment as Student Recruitment Assistant at the University of Sunderland, following the successful completion of a 12 month internship.

‘Jemma was always there if I needed anything and really helped me with my queries.

I was well informed in advance for when my interview was going to be for the role. I have been well supported by my colleagues for everything new I completed during my internship and I have been given experience in various areas helping me progress in my future.

I really feel like the internship has supported me for my new employment as Student Recruitment Assistant as well as my future.

Lauren Dixon – October 2022

‘The Uni4Talent application process was easy and straight forward. Once selected for interview the communication and instructions provided were well explained by Jemma.

I am really enjoying the role at Back on the Map and have been made to feel part of the team from day one’.

Adam Ely

August 2022

With the support of U4T Georgia gained permanent employment as People Services HR Assistant at The Centre For Life.

“Jemma has been really helpful throughout the process – very fast in terms of initial application to interview, timely feedback after interviews and always had contact details if I ever had any questions. Thanks!”

Georgia Eltringham – June 2022

‘I found my experience and recruitment with the Uni4Talent very good. The staff were very accommodating and would answer queries or questions I had. Jemma was a a great help and communicated very well with me when it came to applying for the job and finalising any details.

I found my mediaHUB graduate intern position such a rewarding job and I think it’s a great job that the University of Sunderland offers to students.

When I first started out I was very unsure where I wanted to go in the industry and since having this position it has helped me work out what I want to do. It has helped me develop my skills further that I learnt while studying at university.

The staff and students have been a great part of my experience
due to how supportive they all are. It’s a position I would recommend anyone to try when they are graduating from a media degree.

This role was also very rewarding because of the encouragement that I received from my colleagues and how it helped push me to land my job that I have just been offered. I couldn’t have had a better start to career without doing this position’

June 2022

Graduate intern Debdatta has secured a 24 month Electrical Engineering internship –

“First of all I would like to thank you for taking this very kind initiative for students who like to gain some experience while their studies.
I’m really enjoying the job for which I have been appointed. I’m learning a lot from the work and helping me to gain expertise. And the most helpful thing is I can do the job parallel with my studies.

I would like to thank Jemma for being such kind and helpful always in every stages. She is excellent person and very friendly.

The whole recruitment process was smooth, clean to understand and strategic, which I liked the most”

Debdatta Rudra – May 2022

Kayleigh has secured a permanent full time Graphic Designer role within the University of Sunderland after successfully completing a Graduate Internship.

“My internship with Uni4Talent was a great experience, one that has equipped me with the skills and confidence I needed to be able to continue my design career. It was the ideal stepping stone for me after graduating, and now I have secured a full time position because of it”

Kayleigh Hogan, April 2022

‘Jemma supported me so well in my recruitment process from the beginning to end and I always received updated information from her. The whole process was smooth. I am enjoying my internship as everyone is very friendly and supportive.

Working in the marketing department for MTC Training and Venue Sunderland, which allows me to understand and develop marketing plans for two different industries. Marketing is my biggest passion, and this internship as Customer Service and Marketing Graduate Intern will be a good foundation for me to grow further in my personal development career. I can’t thank Uni4Talent enough’.

Tammy Ho – March 2022

I had been applying for jobs for months and felt stuck in the position I initially found myself in. Two Degrees and certifications, and no one was interested in me. I decided on a whim to apply for a few jobs through Uni4Talent and was elated when not only did a member of the team reach out to me, they informed me that they had secured an interview for me.

Their pre-interview support and reassurance lead to me being successful at interview and from there I had the chance to grab the bull by both horns and work hard to prove myself. Since starting my Graduate Internship, I have applied for a permanent role at my organistion and have secured the position.

Uni4Talent helped open the illusive door to the working world that I had constantly struggled to open and without them, I dread to think how much longer I would have spent trying to break into this industry.

I cannot sing high enough praises for this team and anyone who needs that helping hand to break into the working world, the biggest mistake you could make is to ignore the team at this fine place!

Hannah Sly, 22, from Sunderland is a Content Developer Intern at CELT, and starts her permanent post next month. Hannah, who graduated from BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication in 2020, was initially looking for a role in marketing, but Uni4Talent matched her to a role that she had not considered before.

“I really enjoyed my internship, particularly meeting new people – despite being online,” says Hannah. “I’ve loved working alongside academics at the university, and working with different departments, meaning the content I create is varied.

“Throughout this internship, I have had the opportunity to boost and enhance my skills, particularly in design and communication. For example, learning how to use new video editing and e-learning game development software. I have also developed my understanding of Instructional Design and pedagogy. As a result, I now plan to embark on a career in e-learning and instructional design – something I never considered prior to my internship.”

Hannah believes that her personal experience of being a student at Sunderland, experiencing her final year during Lockdown, had a real impact on how she approached her intern role, and helped her improve the learning materials she worked on in CELT.

“Experiencing the unexpected transition to online learning between March 2020 – May 2020 has helped me understand what it is like to learn virtually, and what does and doesn’t work well. I have been able to use this experience to create and design learning materials that I believe students will find engaging and useful. I can also provide academics with design, layout and resource advice when creating their module spaces based on this personal experience.

“I think interns can provide a different perspective, regardless of the job area, and I’d like to think I’ve helped create the best possible experience of online and hybrid learning for students.”

Working as an Intern through Uni4Talent has been an amazing experience. My placement awarded me a good start to my career. It has been a pleasure and I haven’t had any issues with Uni4Talent. My role was within a different organisation and I didn’t have much need to contact  Uni4Talent but they were always great with responding if I needed anything.

I have also been offered a position within the Organisation Uni4Talent placed me with. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity and would highly recommend for students to apply for jobs through Uni4Talent.

I’m incredibly thankful for the support provided by Uni4Talent. I’d like to credit Alex Mouat, who was brilliant in my search for a job, not only in sourcing the jobs, but with interview help too. It felt like she really cared about finding me a job and it was greatly appreciated.

I struggled to gain a first job post University, and I’m incredibly thankful for Uni4Talent for helping me secure my role which has now propelled me onto a permanent contract with Sunderland City Council in their communications department.

I can’t recommend Uni4Talent enough as for a long while I was struggling to land my first industry job. Uni4Talent became something of a “golden goose” for me as every time I went for a role through their team I usually got an interview and this allowed me to go into the next interview already with a recommendation from the last opportunity.

After a few months of trying and failing to land my dream role I was beginning to think it was not going to happen until I got an opportunity through the service for South Tyneside Council. This time I had a meeting with Alex in the team who took me through some interview techniques that really helped my confidence and the interview itself. While I didn’t get the role, I was a very close candidate and the feedback I received was the best comments I had received. A week later, South Tyneside Council came back with another job role and it was because of my previous interview that I won this role thus ending my search for my first job in the industry.

Uni4Talent continued to support me through the process and now I have been promoted to a full time role within the Council.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sunderland City Council. I was originally given a one year contract through Uni4Talent but this was extended to a second year following the request from my managers at the council. In my role I have learned an incredible amount and been involved in a wide range of activity, being offered so many opportunities and given responsibility when appropriate.

Throughout my time at the council I did not once feel like an intern, I was treated as a member of staff and truly felt part of the Policy team. My contributions have always been made to feel valuable and my insight has been respected.

I am very glad I applied for this internship as I feel like this opportunity has set me up for my future career, giving me a taste of various aspects of policy and associated areas. Due to the experience I have had the council and my involvement in the area of health and mental wellbeing I have recently acquired a new role as a Public Health Analyst. I would recommend taking on an internship through Uni4Talent as it has given me both essential experience and confidence in my own abilities.

I am forever grateful to the Uni4Talent team for providing me and other graduates like me the opportunity to gain invaluable experience in the workplace through their graduate internships.
They are quick and responsive in getting back to me with any enquiries and the staff within their team have been consistently friendly, accommodating and willing to help me out with anything I need. Their customer service is beyond reproach, and I am very thankful for the experience and skills I have gained through working with them.

The process from start to end was smooth and easy. Uni4Talent supported me throughout the interview stage and showed a genuine interest in helping me. Uni4Talent was always available to help with any queries.

The internship itself was within Newcastle City Council, the role allowed me to put into practice what I had learnt throughout university and was an amazing first insight into the industry I want to work within. This graduate internship has given me great experience and has really kick started my career with me landing a new role thanks to everything I learnt at the council.

I would really encourage others to consider a graduate internship as their first professional career move as it really solidified my career and taught me skills I wouldn’t have learnt at any other level. It shows ambition and willingness to learn.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working within the Scholarships Team at the University and would like to say a huge thank you for all the opportunities I have been given. My Graduate Internship has been a great learning experience that I will be forever grateful for!”

The U4T team have been amazing! They have been super helpful and supportive in my graduate job search. They were great at every stage of the search – suggesting suitable roles, assisting with applying for roles, preparing you for interviews and providing feedback. The prep sessions they offer are really great and really help when going in for an interview.
I had the opportunity to work within the U4t team which then led onto to me working for the Hope Street Xchange team. Working with U4T really helped to boost my confidence and communication skilled. It was also very valuable to learn about the recruitment process and the type of thing employers ask for/ look for in a candidate. I feel like it learned something valuable from each of the team members as well as many transferable skills and knowledge.
After working for U4T I was kindly put forward to work for HSX. I really enjoyed my time at HSX. Again I believe being in this role helped me to build on my communication skills as well as marketing and contenting writing skills.

“My internship led me to gain valuable experience and knowledge within the Local Authority to assist me with my future legal career. I have been fortunate enough to bag myself a full-time role within the Council, having successfully passed the interview process and I can’t thank the Uni4Talent team enough for opening this door for me.

I would 100% recommend this service and it has been a pleasure having an internship through Uni4Talent.”

“The search for my career start-up following my time at university was proving difficult. That’s where Uni4Talent stepped in and really helped me on my way. Their ongoing support and constructive feedback has been invaluable and I’m extremely excited to be starting a new career adventure working with Hays Travel.

I really can’t recommend the team enough for all of their help!”

“Thanks to the Uni4Talent Team for arranging my internship contract – I have gained so much practical experience whilst working on site at City Hospitals Sunderland. I am looking forward to progressing my career to the next level.”

“I worked with the Uni4Talent team in 2018 to gain experience in the film and media industry. The team’s support and guidance from the start was invaluable, allowing me to gain paid work with a local employer. Because of this, I have just secured a Graduate Level Job with a company in Newcastle. Thanks to Duncan and the team for everything.“

“The Uni4Talent team really understood what I was looking for and identified an opportunity for me in the sector I wanted to be in. I am passionate about my new role with Uplift Associates and I enjoy coming to work every day and being challenged. I wouldn’t hesitate in working with Uni4Talent again in the future.”

“Working alongside experienced staff at KP Snacks was invaluable in helping me to embed my academic knowledge into the work place. I was supported every step off the way whilst working via a flexible Uni4Talent contract, which allowed me to gain degree relevant experience, whilst completing the final year of my degree in Computer Science.”