Andrew– Intern, National Trust.
Andrew completed a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a Master of Arts in History at Lancaster University. Currently, he works as a self-employed Researcher and Gardener and has a part-time role as a Collections Assistant with Lancashire Archives.
Why did you choose to undertake an internship?
I chose the internship to give myself the experience of working in the heritage sector to complement work I had already done as a Community Heritage Manager with Lancashire County Council and academic work I undertaken during myHistory MA. I also wanted to work on an interesting and compelling subject matter and continue doing historic research.
What were your responsibilities?
My internship role was essentially taking up research on behalf of the National Trust and writing up documents and compiling spreadsheets which collated and detailed the results of the research. Initially, this related to the subject of the gifting of Scafell Pike and Great Gable as War Memorials following the end of WWI. This tied in with the Trust’s centenary commemorations for WWI and was used to inform their work in this regard. An additional similar task followed on relating to the area around Aira Force which is owned by the Trust and the research was related to conservation work in the area.
How would you summarise your internship experience?
The internship was a fantastic experience for me. It connected me with curators and other Trust staff involved in directing and conducting research. Plus, it offered the flexibility to work on my research at myown pace, fitting around other commitments seamlessly.
What did you like most about the internship?
The highlight for me was diving into research on fascinating subjects, particularly my long-standing interest in and familiarity with the Lake District added an extra layer of excitement to the work.
Did the internship help you decide on the next steps of your career?
I continued my MA studies with the intention to start a PhD at Lancaster. The internship confirmed my aptitude and passion for historical research, encouraging me to pursue it further with addiitonal studies. It also boosted my credibility for applying to and undertaking similar projects. Recently, I have conducted freelance research for an HLF project based in Preston.