Meet Nifemi, 23, from London and find out more about life as a business development intern. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Nifemi: Hello. My name is Nifemi. I'm 23 years old and I'm a business development intern. I've always wanted to make an impact on this world, but leaving secondary school and actually leaving college as well, I was not anywhere near knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life. So, after finishing college, I went to Nigeria for a few weeks and I was in a country that was surrounded by poverty, but also having really, really bad political climate at that time and I think for me it just really made me want to go and actually make an impact on the world. So at university I studied International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, and then went on to go study International Development as a Masters.
After leaving university, I ended up doing fundraising for a bit, but it wasn't giving me the impact that I wanted to make on the world. After that I came across the London Irish Centre and I think that's when I really realised that charity work was probably something that I really wanted to do.
At the London Irish Centre, the main three things that we do is culture, community and care. Anyone that comes to the door is completely welcome. You have loads of shows and loads of events down here. We serve food, we have tea dances, we have film clubs. My day-to-day role is so different. For instance, I'm down at the day centre giving out food to our day centre users. I'm sometimes down at reception getting some administrative skills there. The business side of it is that I've been able to raise 30,000 pounds for the charity.
Nifemi's colleague: As the business development intern, Nifemi is essential in keeping good relationships with our partners. We here as a charity are really dependent on different grants and funders to keep this place going and keeping our doors open.
Nifemi: So even though my internship was coming to an end, I've had an absolutely fantastic time working here. I've enjoyed every single aspect of it.
I always wanted to make an impact on this world.
- Nifemi knew she wanted a job that made a difference but wasn't sure what she wanted to do
- Nifemi has found a perfect fit for her skills working as an intern for a small charity that supports the Irish community in London
- An internship is a temporary placement, which will enable Nifemi to get on-the-job experience and help her decide what she wants to do
- It's Nifemi's job to find new ways for the London Irish Centre charity to make money so it can continue the important work it does.
Nifemi is a business development intern. The experience she gains could give her the opportunity to apply for business development manager roles in the future. Business development managers find new customers, and persuade existing ones to buy extra services.
What to expect if you want to become a business development manager
- Business development manager average salary: 拢26,000 to 拢64,000 per year
- Business development manager typical working hours: 38 to 40 hours per week. Occasionally, you could work in the evenings.
What qualifications do you need to be a business development manager?
You could get into this role via a university course, a college course, an apprenticeship, working towards the role, applying directly or a graduate training scheme.
Sources: LMI for All, National Careers Service
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: , , and .
Find work experience placements with Workfinder.
Tips and advice
Help with interviews, writing a CV and all things work experience related.
Manish: solar farm manager video
Manish manages ten solar farms across the UK.
Alison: social enterprise owner. video
Alison designs and makes reusable sanitary products.
Josh: community cohesion officer. video
Josh works as a community cohesion officer.
