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Emma’s intern journey…

Why I chose ICR?

ICR handed me a golden ticket, a leaping board per say, and it is something I will forever be grateful for. As a first-year business student, I knew I might not be the most “hireable” candidate, but I persisted. After my first interview with ICR, my curiosity was piqued by the company, and I did some more research. ICR works in a multitude of different areas, most of which I didn’t even know could be done in Aberdeen. I knew it was a company that could offer a huge range of opportunities, so when I was called in for a second interview, I knew I wanted to be the successful candidate.

A day in the life of an ICR Corporate Business intern

My day starts at 8 am in a sleepy office that quickly comes to life as my co-workers arrive, eager to chat and talk about the day ahead. During my time with the Procurement team, I managed a portion of the SAP purchase orders, onboarded clients and suppliers to our portal, and updated expired insurance and ISO certificates. In the Commercial team, I’ve created a contract register, assisted with NDAs and ORB reviews, had meetings with suppliers to understand contractual needs of both parties, and gained insight into the art of contract language writing. A highlight of my day is the lunchtime walks with the ‘Nature Girlies’ at noon—a great way to catch up and take a break from screens and office chairs.

Advice for future interns

1. Learn the “Unwritten Rules”: Pay attention to the company culture and unwritten rules, I found communication styles, work-life balance norms, and decision-making processes being the most valuable to learn. Understanding these can help you navigate the workplace more effectively and hopefully more successfully.
2. Document Your Contributions: Keep a running list of your accomplishments, both big and small, during the internship. This has helped me feel actively engaged, I know when I need more work, and it will be vital for resume updating in the future. Bonus is when a review comes at the end, you are already well prepared and confident in your accomplishments.
3. Schedule Reflective Meetings: I have found it helpful to set aside regular time, mainly weekly, to reflect on what I’ve learned, challenges faced, and areas for improvement. This practice has helped me process all my experiences more effectively and importantly adjusts my strategies as needed. It is weekly advice from highly experienced colleagues that you can soak up like a sponge.