Being an intern has made me more confident

I always thought of myself as being a naturally confident person who was not afraid of hard work.

But after finishing my second year of university, I took a bold step by moving four hours away from home and embarking on a 12-month internship at Enterprise. It was only then that I realised my struggle with confidence.

Part of it was because I was used to socialising virtually, and part of it was because I experienced imposter syndrome, which was new to me. I was the first member of my family to pursue a law degree and secure a placement at one of the world's largest privately owned companies. I felt pressure to represent not just myself, but a minority group.

Being part of a team of hard-working women has boosted my confidence and enabled me to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome.

"the team I worked with brought out the best in me by encouraging me to take on more responsibilities"

As soon as I met Jennifer Koontz, Assistant Vice President, European Airport Properties and Relations, her tenacity and hard work were truly motivating. I felt driven to be the best version of myself because I had the unique opportunity to work alongside the ‘Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year’. Then working with Kelly Slater-Ive and Erika Escudero has also been an impactful experience for me.

Reflecting back, despite struggling with confidence, I found that the team I worked with brought out the best in me by encouraging me to take on more responsibilities.

One example was when I collaborated with Kelly and Erika to organize and plan the European branch manager training in September 2022. The opportunity to be involved and also sometimes take the lead on such an event was exciting and helped me overcome my lack of confidence.

Ellie Nicholson-Shiel, another intern who also describes herself as typically shy, said she also found that stepping out of her comfort zone was necessary as an intern. She says this has allowed her to participate in tasks that she normally wouldn't have taken on.

"I instantly felt a sense of camaraderie and support because I had found a peer who could relate to my situation"

As a law student, I recognised the value of networking with the legal team. Fortunately, I crossed paths with Katherine Smith, who was then the senior solicitor on the team.

Katherine soon became my mentor and guided me in leveraging my Enterprise experience to complement my degree by gaining exposure to various legal aspects. She helped me adapt the research and drafting skills I had developed through my degree to fit the work that I had to do.

Being mentored by a young female solicitor who had already undergone the legal training that I am going through gave me insight into my desired future career and helped me to map out a path to achieve it.

Meeting Marilena Kelly, a Legal Contracts Assistant, was a pivotal moment. She is both a colleague and an aspiring solicitor studying for her Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time while working.

I instantly felt a sense of camaraderie and support because I had found a peer who could relate to my situation.

"My internship has taught me to trust in my abilities, say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, and given me the confidence to be the best version of myself"

Marilena believes that stepping into the corporate world was a significant advantage and something she would have liked to have known about earlier. "I wish I had the opportunity to find out more about it," she said. "I wish I had the chance to work for a year before my LPC."

Marilena is an integral part of my support system. We often share our experiences and knowledge, offering each other advice and guidance along the way. This helps us to stay motivated and focused on succeeding in our respective legal careers.

Being part of the Cultural Compass Committee has been an opportunity to interact with various departments within Enterprise. I have developed a stronger sense of confidence in my capabilities, particularly through helping to design SharePoint sites for different teams. I've been able to support the board by making sure that things are moving on track.

My internship has taught me to trust in my abilities, say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, and given me the confidence to be the best version of myself.

 

If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk