Nana Yaa Adu was one of our Spring CSR Eagles in 2024. Nana has kindly written about her experience of the CSR Eagles programme:
Tell us a bit about your background
In 2023, I graduated from the University of Warwick where I studied Politics, International Studies and French. I have always been driven to do work which has a positive social impact so coming across the Eagles programme felt destined to be. Despite being from a working-class background, I have always been hopeful that with hard work you can achieve your goals. This however is not always the case. Programmes such as Eagles help to correct that by giving people like me the opportunity to show our worth.
What was the application process like?
The first stage of the application process involved submitting a CV and cover letter. The Eagles website provided guidance on how to structure a cover letter which I found very helpful. The second stage involved being invited to attend a virtual assessment centre, where each person would complete a written assessment and an interview. The day began with an informative presentation where applicants could learn more about the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) and the Eagles programme specifically. It also involved learning about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as well as the skills and qualities needed to succeed within the field.
In the next stage, successful applicants were invited to attend a pool training session where they learnt more about CSR. Current Eagles interns and their managers joined the training call to share some insight into the roles and the nature of the programme in practice. There were opportunities for attendees to ask questions and gain clarity on the next stages of the process.
Following, a mock interview and CV review, applicants could submit their re-worked CV and cover letter alongside a list of the roles/companies they would like to apply for (in order of preference).
Placement companies then offered interviews to applicants based on the CV and cover letter submitted. Following a series of interviews, applicants would be informed by phone and email if they were successful or not.
How prepared did you feel for your placement?
While I was quite nervous about my placement, I felt like I had undergone a good level of training to place me in good stead for the internship. The training received included Microsoft Excel and Outlook training, Project Management, Workload Management as well as Public Speaking, which was the cohort’s favourite. The pre-placement preparation was so relevant and of a very high quality. I really appreciate and recommend it. It not only equipped me with practical skills and knowledge, but it also boosted my confidence.
What support did you receive from ELBA during your placement?
During the placement, I was supported by an ELBA mentor who I would speak to at least once a month. My mentor—Caz—was very knowledgeable, as well as invested in my development during the internship. With her support, I was able to remain and take actions which pushed me out of my comfort zone and propelled me towards my goals. It was very valuable to be able to have open conversations with her about my experience and my challenges, especially as this was my first corporate and full-time role.
Over the 6 months, I also got to speak to the Programme Director—Sally—alongside my supervisor to discuss my development areas and ways to make the most of the experience.
What support did you receive from Fitch during your placement?
During my placement, I was supported by my supervisor—Sam—who encouraged me to find a mentor within the company. She also helped me to build experience in the development areas I had identified by assigning me tasks which focused on those areas. My manager—Maria Angelica—offered invaluable guidance on how to navigate the corporate world, and the job search process post-internship.
What has your experience as a DEI Intern at Fitch been like?
It has been a wonderful learning experience. Through the internship, I have been able to contribute to, as well as lead on an array of projects. I have been lucky enough to engage with people across different teams and engage with senior leaders within the company. It has helped me to build my confidence and experience in areas such as stakeholder engagement and presentation. It has also expanded my knowledge of DEI work and equipped me with specialist knowledge and experience which I can use in my next role.
What advice would you give future Eagles interns?
Here are my top pieces of advice:
1. Identify the skills and experience you wish to develop and inform your manager. They will be able to support your development by directing you to learning resources and assigning you lots of work which aligns with your goals.
2. Have conversations with as many people as you can across the company. Doing so helps you better understand the business and what roles exist outside of your team. It also allows you to build a network who can support you to get where you wish to within and outside the company.
3. Embrace your curiosity. Ask as many questions as you can. This helps you speed up the learning process and demonstrates your interest to your manager and your team.
4. Keep a record of the work you do. It can be daunting to figure out next steps and dive into the job search process. Having a spreadsheet which outlines your tasks, the skills being used, and the feedback received, makes the process of discussing your strengths and skills much easier after the internship.
