Written by

Mahisha Hussain
October 21, 2024

Tags

  • Careers
  • Sustainability
  • Blog
  • Values and Culture
Mahisha Hussain, in Talent Acquisition Early Careers, who oversaw and supported the interns, reflects on the significance of the British Land summer internship programme. 

This year, we welcomed 14 interns from sixth forms and universities across the UK, placing them in different departments across the business.  

Internships are a great way for us to meet and learn from people wanting to join the real estate industry, as well as inspiring others who are unaware of the variety of roles available within property focused businesses.  We collaborate with organisations such as Career Ready, EmployAbility and 10,000 Interns Foundation to attract a talented and diverse range of candidates. The British Land Summer Internship Programme continues to be an excellent platform for exchanging fresh ideas, developing practical skills, and fostering professional growth. The programme offers hands-on experience, encourages collaboration, and brings fresh perspectives to the business. 

LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND: Mentorship and Professional Development 

At the heart of the internship programme is the mentorship and guidance offered by British Land’s professionals. Supervisors work closely with the programme’s participants, helping them navigate complex tasks while encouraging personal growth. Both the participants and the supervisors reported feeling the benefits. One candidate reflected that “Having a supportive manager who provided guidance when we faced challenges was fantastic. Additionally, the real estate tours and meetings with various networks gave me extensive experience in the field.”  Meanwhile one of the programme’s supervisors felt that their intern was “fabulous; she helped with real work that we can use going forward and was a joy to mentor. She took on tasks including payment processes  and gathering data, and I truly valued her contributions.” 

This close mentorship fosters an environment of learning and growth, supporting participants to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the business.  

WORK SMARTER TOGETHER - Driving Innovation and Fresh Perspectives 

The programme  involves becoming an active member of the team. Participants have the opportunity to get involved in significant projects from research to real estate portfolio management and often contribute fresh ideas and innovative approaches. Ananya said that she “appreciated the range of meetings and teams I was able to engage with, from development to social and environmental sustainability. The tasks were thoughtfully designed, allowing me to build new skills and make a meaningful contribution, such as informing British Land's green skills strategy.” For British Land in turn, the candidates were “proactive and thoughtful throughout. Their contributions to our research on 'Green and STEAM skills' were incredibly useful to our future strategy.”  

Positive Outcomes and a Bright Future 

The feedback from both interns and supervisors illustrates the success of the internship programme. The numbers speak for themselves: 

  • 100% of supervisors indicated they would be willing to host an intern again. 

  • 100% of interns rated the support and guidance provided by their supervisors as excellent. 

  • 92% of interns felt the tasks they were given were meaningful and engaging. 

  • 91% of interns reported that the internship exceeded their expectations. 

These results highlight the programme’s effectiveness in creating a valuable learning experience for the interns while driving meaningful contributions to our business. 

Build For the Future: Looking Ahead 

The programme continues to prove its value as a mutually beneficial initiative. As one supervisor summed it up, “This was by far the best internship programme I’ve been a part of, thanks to the excellent organisation and engaged interns.”  With such strong outcomes, British Land looks forward to continuing to build on this success and welcoming the next generation of interns, ensuring a thriving future for both the participants and the company. 

Apply now to join our internship programme. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or early in your career, discover a variety of opportunities for growth and development. Apply here, Early careers | British Land | British Land .