75 Years and 850 Internships | 15
“ Since joining the institution , the company has grown extensively from a team of five people to now over 30 , whilst also being recognised with a royal charter to become the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators .
“ My own role has developed here over the years from intern , to coordinator , and since 2017 , Learning and Development Manager . I have also been fortunate enough to work internationally for the company in Australia , Canada and South Africa , whilst focussing my work on the continued success of our own academic programme . I have also learnt great leadership and business skills by example , from the pioneering colleagues around me .”
Kate Douthwaite ( Marketing & Media , Class of 2022 ), Mondrem ’ s Marketing Lead , comments : “ The word ‘ innovation ’ is bandied around a lot in business , but Mondrem CIC really encapsulates its meaning . To innovate is to make changes to the established . Being appointed with ‘ Lead ’ responsibilities from day one and encouraged to shape my role in keeping with my strengths and aspirations was a definite break from convention . Mondrem ’ s unorthodox approach is effective . I ’ m inspired to bring my best self to work and supported when developing skills to benefit my future and the future of the company . Mondrem encourages simultaneous growth of the individual and organisation , instilling an individual connection to the business and a personal drive to do well . I ’ m confident that time spent with Mondrem will continue to be a twoway exchange .”
The Mondrem Group , based at Keele University Science and Innovation Park , includes two not-for-profit Community Interest Companies , Nurture CIC and Mondrem CIC , and uses the money made to support local people through community interest projects and activities including many employment opportunities and wildlife initiatives . The group ’ s collective mission is to “ shape places where people thrive .”
Eight students have interned through the Santander scheme ; the first interns were recruited just before lockdown , with several being offered ongoing work . In 2021 , Mondrem and Keele University secured the top spot for the National Undergraduate Employability awards for “ best collaboration between a university and an employer ”.
Managing Director , Mike Astbury , said “ Our interns haven ’ t just helped the business , they have become the business . They ’ re an ecosystem of co-operating , supporting microbusinesses working together to grow and shape the company and their own careers , built around our shared purpose .”
Since completing her Santander internship in 2022 as a Support Analyst , Sara Amzil ( Artificial Intelligence & Data Science , Class of 2022 ) has now fast tracked to become a Managed Services Consultant . Founded in 2005 , Concentric helps multi-national organisations across all industries to improve their global business performance by transforming their planning , forecasting , financial and operational reporting processes .
Internship roles offered to Keele students require a unique blend of accountancy and software engineering skills . Often , interns are invited to become permanent members of our Support and Managed Services .
Sara says : “ Coming from an engineering background , stepping into the world of Finance was both thrilling and intimidating to me . However , Concentric made that transition a lot easier than I thought it would be . Since I started my internship in 2022 , I was welcomed by an amazing team of experienced and passionate people who helped me learn and grow every step of the way .”