Meet the MGTs: Teaching, Learning and Students Intern
Holly from the Student Team interviews Manchester Graduate Talent Intern, Miriam Dafydd
With end-of-exams celebrations on the horizon, this time of year is perfect for a fresh start and thinking about future employment. You might be looking for a reputable employer who is invested in your professional development, or one who offers opportunities for networking. Did you know that such exciting graduate intern roles are here in Manchester, with dedicated entry for UoM students? The Manchester Graduate Talent Scheme (MGT) is open and is taking applications for 2019 start now!
In this blog I’ll be catching up with Miriam Dafydd. Miriam has just completed the Manchester Graduate Talent Scheme, as the Teaching, Learning and Students (TLS) Intern, working with the Library on programmes including My Learning Essentials (MLE) and Widening Participation. Miriam kindly shared her experiences with me to help you decide whether MGT might be for you. But before we talk to her, let me tell you about what the scheme can offer.
MGT sources graduate-level roles both within the University and with local small to medium-sized enterprises (SME). Roles are open to University of Manchester 2019 graduates only* and while most are fixed-term roles, some offer open-ended contracts. The University Careers Service offers support with your MGT application, from assistance with preparing your application to offering you a practice interview.
So — let’s meet Miriam!
Holly: Hey Miriam! Great to speak to you. So, what do you get up to as a TLS Intern?
Miriam: It’s been a constant source of surprise and excitement for me, how varied my role as the TLS Intern has been. In any week, I could be delivering a workshop with 600-year old books at the historic John Rylands Library for sixth formers, then setting up projects for our Student Team to complete, to transforming our social media strategy, to assisting a third-year student with their dissertation. I love chatting and helping people — that’s the basis of everything I do, helping people to achieve their best whilst getting loads of brilliant skills and opportunities to challenge myself.
H: Tell me about the moment when you learnt the most…
M: The moment I learnt the most was organising a photo shoot for social media. It showed me how powerful collaborative working can be. My colleagues were invested in the outcome, we worked really hard together and it was enormously satisfying to produce high quality results as a team. This project taught me that if I set my mind to something, plan in advance and support my colleagues, I’ll get a great result. This is a useful approach to working in life in general!
H:Tell me about a connection you made though MGT, or an inspiring colleague you met?
M: Ha, ha [laughing]. That’s a shockingly difficult question because all my colleagues are inspiring! I I meet colleagues at different stages in their professional journeys, from students starting out, to teaching experts whose careers have spanned the globe.
The Learning Development staff taught me how learning works, which has been fascinating. Before MGT, I had no idea about the world of thinking and research that goes into developing My Learning Essentials (MLE). Working as part of this team has given me opportunities to learn new subjects everyday, which is an aspect of being an Art History Masters student I thoroughly enjoyed. So, when on my second day on the job, I led my first MLE workshop, I was terrified but also really excited to try something new.
H: Is there a network of MGTs and what benefit does it offer?
M: Yes! I am in touch with my MGT colleagues a lot, whether we are collaborating on an event or designing student advertising. The Library works across the individual schools which is great for getting to know who is who. By going to networking events, I now know a friendly MGT face in each department who I can reach out to when I’ve got a tricky question. MGTs feed off each other’s good work too; I’ve learnt tips and tricks by looking at Careers Service marketing materials or the planning of International Society events. Don’t forget there is also an MGT Facebook group!
H: What’s the most challenging aspect of Manchester Graduate Talent?
M: Oh, adjusting to different working practices than I was used to as a student. I understand now that my role is part of a much bigger picture. My colleagues and I are mutually supportive in a way I hadn’t experienced as a student! I also get the chance to leave a positive legacy in my role. I’ve developed the amazing work from the previous TLS Intern and whoever is successful in getting my role will build on my work too. It’s satisfying to know that the quality of work is getting better all time.
H: Which skills have you learnt on MGT which will be useful in your career?
M: I’ve upskilled more in the last year than I have in any other year of my life! I learnt broad-ranging skills like project management, presentation and adaptability, which are transferable into almost any role. I also developed professional social media skills by going to Google Digital Garage training. I’ve been encouraged to make dedicated time every week for my professional development.
MGT roles are just for one year and this means MGT line managers are willing and supportive in finding opportunities for you to build your skills and experience quickly. They will, however, want to get as much from you as they can during the year, so your abilities will be stretched and in this way you will develop. For me, it has been a comfortable and quick learning trajectory.
H: What’s next for you Miriam, I hear you have exciting things on the horizon?
M: Yes, I do! I’m combining all my new skills from MGT with my Masters in Art History to start an exciting new role as an Assistant Curator at the Science Museum at their new “One Collection” site in Wiltshire. I’ll be working behind the scenes with rarely-seen Science Museum collection objects, helping to conserve, research and eventually share them with diverse public audiences when the site opens in 2023.
Libraries and museums are very much aligned, and as TLS Intern I was able to work with the collections at the John Rylands, and be in a public engagement role. In this way, the MGT role put me in an ideal position to apply for an Assistant Curatorship. Being a MGT Intern gave me management experience, which the Science Museum recruitment panel were looking for and I was able to demonstrate that I could successfully work to long-term objectives, which will be needed to ensure “One Collection” opens in 2023.
I’m passionate about the value of cultural institutions for improving people’s lives palpably. Museums have a role to play in upskilling people, by setting up programmes related to objects in their collections which help people to develop skills for the real world. This idea is relatively unexplored in the museum sector and this is where I’d like to go next, as an Assistant Curator. I’m excited to be a part of making the Science Museum’s collections accessible to a diverse range of audiences and helping people to understand the positive ways collections can impact our lives.
H: So great to speak with you Miriam, thank you for your time.
M: Yes, a pleasure, no worries. Bye for now!
It was clear that Miriam had enjoyed working with the TLS team, and had created her own opportunities by being passionate, open and understanding the value of team collaboration. She couldn’t speak highly enough about MGT and her enthusiasm for it was infectious. No matter what your degree specialism, you’ll find an MGT role with a supportive environment and colleagues who truly care about your professional development.
If Manchester Graduate Talent sounds like a career avenue that you might like to explore, take some first steps by joining the Facebook group or signing up for MGT vacancy bulletins. You can explore which roles which were available last year and meet the graduates who filled them.
Once you’re ready to apply, don’t forget the Careers Service offer to check your application and even offering a practice interview. Good luck everyone, and perhaps it will be you the Library Student Team are interviewing for this blog next year!
*There are a couple of exceptions to this general rule, so please check the Manchester Graduate Talent page for more information.
