KAA alumni and Next Steps Bursary student Samarah is currently in her third year, studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Oxford University. 

In July, she applied for an internship opportunity with our corporate partner, BIE Executive. During the interview process, Samarah made a strong impression on the team. As a result she was offered a four-week placement in September, at their Head office in London.  

To gain a deeper understanding of Samarah’s time with BIE Executive we conducted a question and answer session with her. Samarah shared her experiences and provided valuable insights and advice for those looking to apply for work placements. 

How did you hear about the opportunity?

I received an email from the Aldridge Foundation informing us of the opportunity. BIE was looking for an intern for the summer and so I decided to apply. 

Why you applied for the position?

BIE is an executive search, interim and advisory firm, meaning it is people and relationship focused, helping clients find solutions to their problems through placing the best talent and providing candidates with opportunities that best fit their skill set and expertise. As someone who is looking to start a career in social impact and/or public policy consultancy, BIE offered a great opportunity to build on the soft skills which are so important in the industry: problem solving, communication, cooperation and analytical thinking. 

What you had to do to apply?

I sent over a small bio in an email with my CV and cover letter attached. Following this, I had an online interview with Celine, who would later on become my supervisor. Once it was confirmed I had passed onto the final stage of the application process, I was invited over to their offices in Central London for a series of interviews with senior team members including the CEO, Gordon Whyte, the Chief of Staff, Lisa Vigurs and several managing directors of the different functional team at BIE.

How did you prepare for interviews? 

For my interviews, I first ensured I knew my CV and cover letter well. I also prepared some questions and answers that were likely to come up. Apart from that I didn’t focus too much on drafting and memorising perfect answers, I think it’s always best to allow the interview to flow naturally and feel like a formal but real and human conversation between the interviewer and interviewee. Anyone can memorise answers but not everyone can engage in a conversation well.  I relied on the STAR method which I have learnt in a number of workshops to best answer questions during the interview to ensure they were structured and flowed well. 


How did you feel going on your first day?  How did you overcome any nerves? 

I was both nervous and excited. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I had never met anyone in the search and recruitment industry. But my nerves soon subsided as everyone was incredibly welcoming and helpful. 

To overcome nerves I reminded myself that an internship is an opportunity to learn and gain experience, you are not expected to know everything, but only that you will make an active effort to integrate and immerse yourself in the company’s work and culture. I also kept myself busy during the commute reading a book so that I wouldn’t start to overthink! 

What was a typical day like? 

Most days start with some admin catching up, so checking emails, messages, news and on certain days, a team meeting to ensure everything and everyone is up to date and working to meet deadlines and targets. The bulk of the day usually consisted of meetings with both clients or candidates. These could take different forms: sometimes online meetings, other times they would come into the office and occasionally we would meet a client off-site for lunch. Towards the end of the day, I would once again dedicate time to admin tasks, updating the system with new client and candidate details, following up on emails and meetings, and preparing client briefs and case studies. 

How did the internship help you build on any personal abilities, and did it become clear how working on developing the Aldridge attributes whilst at an Aldridge school helps once you are in other settings such as university and work?  

The internship was a great opportunity to further develop and strengthen a number of skills which the Aldridge Foundation has already worked to help us with. Being in a professional environment, surrounded by senior members of staff helped me gain a better understanding of what it is like to be in a corporate setting, how to act, carry oneself and address those around you. 

The client-facing aspect of the internship also helped me grow in confidence and improve my communication skills, as on a daily basis I was meeting at least 4 new clients/candidates. It was a proud moment when my supervisor, half-way through my internship, praised my growth in confidence and communication. 

Did the internship change or confirm your career goals? 

The internship confirmed my career goals. It offered me the amazing ability to network and meet countless people who had had a career in consultancy, including the Big 4. It was great to be able to hear about their experiences, what they had enjoyed, any advice and ask any questions I had about their career.  


What are your key takeaways from the internship

The importance of building and maintaining relationships, leaving a lasting positive impact on people. I very quickly learnt that the working world is very small, and many people know or have heard of each other. And that is often how people secure the best opportunities and jobs, they are recommended or vouched for by others, which makes sense as firms don’t want to take big risks when employing people. 

Do you think this internship will benefit your future career?  

Most definitely. It has already benefited my future career as it has opened my eyes to the importance of networking and putting yourself out there. 

What advice would you give to other students who may be considering applying for an internship or similar role? 

Go for it. Don’t be scared of getting rejected. I’ve received countless internship rejections before getting this one. As long as you’re trying, it really isn’t a reflection of you, the graduate and internship market is incredibly competitive! 

At the beginning of university someone told me that your goal when applying to internships shouldn’t be to get accepted, but rather that you should be aiming to get rejected by 100. With that perspective, every rejection feels like you’re one step closer to securing an internship.

Anything you would like to comment about BIE? 

I would like to say a big thank you to BIE for the amazing opportunity to join their team this September for 4 weeks. It has truly been an inspiring and educating experience in which I have left feeling so much more confident about pursuing my professional goals. I would like to especially thank Celine, my supervisor, for all her care and support throughout my time at BIE. 

BIE Executive comment on the internship

“Having Samarah join our team as an intern was an incredibly rewarding experience. From the moment we were introduced through our charity partners, to the interview process, and ultimately working together day-to-day, it was clear we had found someone truly brilliant.

Samarah brought fresh perspectives, sharp insight, and a level of professionalism well beyond her years. Not only did she contribute meaningfully to our projects, but she also gave me a valuable window into the challenges today’s graduates face as they step into the world of work.

It was a privilege to be part of her journey, and I learned as much from her as she may have from us. A fantastic experience all round.” 

Celine Clark, Senior Director in BIE’s People & Culture Leadership Practice