Spotlight on Rhiannon Williams

What is your role and what does it involve?

I am the Global Internships Manager in UCL Careers, which I started at the end of January this year. My role involves leading on the design and implementation of a global summer internships programme for undergraduate students. This includes working with employers to encourage them to recruit a UCL intern and promoting the benefits of undertaking an overseas internship to students. We do this a lot in UCL Careers via various schemes, but now we are expanding to enable more global internships.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I have been at UCL Careers for three years and before starting my new post I was an Internships Officer working with Management Science students. Prior to this I worked at a smaller university in west London supporting students with undertaking sandwich placements - I love working with students and employers to connect them for work experience opportunities!

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

At UCL Careers I coordinate our Global Strategy Group which looks at how we can support students with their global careers. To contribute to the initiative of increasing outbound mobility for UCL students, the team submitted a strategic bid for developing our global internships programme and I was delighted when we were awarded 100% of the funding. I am now working on this initiative full-time and excited about where things are heading.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list?

I have just launched two bursaries for students that are undertaking overseas internships this summer. The bursaries can help with the costs of things such as flights, visas, accommodation or other living expenses. One of the bursaries is funded by UCL Careers whilst the other utilises the Erasmus+ Traineeship Grant which is managed by the Study Abroad Team.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Album - I don't have an ultimate favourite but I'll say Adele's 25 as I saw her perform at The O2 and it has my first wedding dance song on it.

Film - The Truman Show. "In case I don't see you, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight!"

Novel - I loved 'A Man Called Ove' by Fredrik Backman.

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

What did the fish say when it swam into a brick wall? Dam.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

Julie Walters, Graham Norton, Nish Kumar and Sheryl Sandberg

What advice would you give your younger self?

Take up running and eat more veg. It took me longer than it should have to do both of these things!

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I once played one of the Seven Dwarves in a village panto.

What is your favourite place?

Dorset - it is my home county and has some beautiful countryside and coastline. The Jurassic Coast, in particular Lulworth Cove and Durdle Dor, is stunning!