Tag: internship

Tall buildings the City of London with a blue sky behind

Finding a career – hard work but not impossible

Author: | 5 Aug 2025

A degree is one step on the road to a career. Our scholar AJ writes about the confidence, sense of purpose, determination and sheer hard work required to land a dream job in finance.

I began my higher education journey with the Open University. It offered flexibility and a chance to rebuild, a foundation I deeply valued. With the unwavering support of the Longford Trust and my mentor, I became truly invested in learning. It wasn’t just about education anymore. It gave me direction and purpose. I explored further opportunities through projects like Open Book at Goldsmiths, University of London. That gave me the confidence to make the move to a ‘bricks-and-mortar’ university, a turning point that allowed me to fully immerse myself in student life.

When I was able to go from prison to a campus university on day release, I wasn’t just learning about my chosen subject anymore. I was gaining a broader understanding of business culture and how to navigate the world beyond university and prison walls.

Personal growth

That shift sparked something bigger: personal growth. I became more confident, more focused, and more driven. I threw myself into building my future – refining my CV, crafting a strong cover-letter, polishing my LinkedIn profile, and engaging in as many extra-curricular activities as possible. But I knew that wouldn’t be enough on its own.

Because of prison, I faced additional challenges when applying for internships. So, I tapped into every support network I could. I searched for employers and opportunities that understood the value of unconventional routes and those of us returning to education from different starting points. These were the spaces where I found the most success.

I didn’t stop there. I continually revised my CV and LinkedIn, asking for feedback from lecturers and careers advisors. I quickly realised that many sectors, especially finance, are incredibly competitive. Most applicants had no CV gaps, more relevant experience than me, more resource access and time to prepare. That pushed me to think creatively.

Every step of the way

I began reaching out within the prison service, asking the employment team to contact their networks to help me find or even negotiate relevant placements, even if they weren’t directly in my chosen industry. I focused on building transferable skills: business acumen; professional communication; and technical knowledge. I broadened my search to alternative industries with finance teams. I also secured a mentorship with Generation Success, who provided access to internships tailored for people like me. I explored programmes linked to the prison service, such as those run by DHL and Thames Water, and contacted organisations specifically designed to support individuals with similar backgrounds.

Every step of the way, I’ve had to be self-directed. Nothing was handed to me. I had to go out and find it – often in spaces that weren’t built to support this kind of journey. Let’s be honest: prison isn’t designed to help people find career-relevant internships. But I knew early on that being proactive was my only route forward.

You earn your success

Now, I’m in the second week of my first internship – in financial technology, at a firm in the City. Just recently, I had a conversation with the Head of Finance at another location to discuss the possibility of a placement year in corporate finance. These opportunities didn’t fall into my lap. If, like me, you are likely to face obstacles, then going out and creating opportunity is the way forward. They do exist – you just have to work hard and look harder.

Today, I’m proud to say I have three mentors: one from the Longford Trust, one from Generation Success, and one from my current internship. I’m learning the value of being self-driven, the power of mentorship, and the importance of building relationships.

To anyone else navigating an unconventional route: stay focused. Be patient. Don’t let rejection or setbacks knock you off course. The path might be different. It might be harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I’m confident I’ll achieve my goals, and I know I’ll learn so much along the way. And for me, that’s what really matters.

AJ has now secured a public sector corporate finance internship.

If you, or your employer, can offer internships or work experience, please do contact Roxanne, our Employability Manager, at employ@longfordtrust.org

An Unexpected Opportunity

Author: | 24 Apr 2019

Making the most of an unexpected opportunity, Longford scholar Gareth Evans reflects on his internship with a Police and Crime Commissioner….

 

The chance to do a paid internship at the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner’s office in September came late in the day just as I was firming up my summer plans. I didn’t hesitate to jump at the chance. Though, a small part of me worried a policing institution might simply have an ‘ex-con’ in for a few weeks to make the tea. I wouldn’t want to overstate this, but it was a niggle at the back of my mind. I needn’t have given it a second thought.

 

First impressions….

On arrival, I looked around the office in central Birmingham and was asked to decide what I could best help with.  I had been told to expect the organisation to be welcoming and open-minded. I couldn’t have asked for more. As a criminology student, I am determined not only to apply my adverse experiences to academic theory but also to offer positive, real world social value for others. This was my chance.

 

Working together….

Initially, I chose to focus on an ambitious project to improve young offender services, particularly for those in insecure housing after release from prison. To begin with I reviewed the academic literature and local provision.

We know that policies don’t always translate perfectly into services on the ground. We also know that typically those with first-hand experience of policies and their shortcomings, are best placed- but least likely – to be asked for their insights. Basically, I thought it would be a good idea for everyone to work together!

I began to envisage what a more holistic and sustainable intervention could look like. The question was, how could we gain the support of lots of different organisations with their own unique character and purpose? In the process of seeing up-close how social policies are implemented it became clear that each bit of the jigsaw – the NHS, the Crown Prosecution Service and the police- all have their own resource constraints and are driven by often incompatible bureaucratic demands. Regardless of how much people realise things need to change – and everyone I met did- it struck me that breaking out of current practices is not easy.

Beyond scope….

And, so I wrote, in an email:

“…However, the extent of further work needed… I fear, is beyond the scope of my internship.”

But I’m pleased to say the story goes on.

By the end of my four weeks, exceeding expectations for myself, I had devised a housing strategy for young offenders; reviewed and revised the regional Drug Intervention Programme; and contributed to efforts to address gang violence. And what I did matters. For instance, I was delighted when I was then invited to meet the Housing leads for the West Midlands Combined Authority.

My proudest achievement….

However, my proudest achievement from the internship, so far, was involving the real experts, those who from personal experience, know where things feel most difficult. My best memory is of sitting in a meeting with Marie-Claire (of New Leaf C.I.C) an awe-inspiring social entrepreneur who is doing remarkable work to help people make positive changes after prison. The opportunity to make the most of my own and others’ experiences to influence top police commissioning representatives in the West Midlands, felt empowering. It reinforced what is possible when the right people are in the room listening to each other.

And it doesn’t stop there. A flourishing relationship has begun, where the people who ultimately make the decisions about how to address some of our most troubling social concerns have the right information. At the same time, those of us who have lived in, through and been the cause of these issues now have a place in the room.

As a Longford scholar coming towards the final few months of my degree, I hope I have helped honour the trust and the opportunity they and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office offered me. I continue to talk with my now friends in Birmingham and am grateful for the opportunity. The work continues and new relationships are being fostered between those who deliver services and those who have direct experience of them.

Hopefully, my placement is a sign of a wider culture change.

Grabbing the opportunity….

And finally, to anyone offered an opportunity like this, I say grab it. It’s an adventure with unexpected opportunities and friendships. You won’t regret it.