GIIA welcomes intern as part of partnership with Infrastructure Industry Foundation

Before my internship with GIIA, I’d not really considered what a career in infrastructure investment could look like – but I was keen to discover more about the sector and gain hands-on experience working alongside some of the industry’s leading voices. Looking back on the past four weeks, I can safely say that I’ve learnt a huge amount about not only infrastructure investment itself, but also the people who make up the industry, and the stories behind how they got to where they are now. 

As a Year 12 student, I’ve benefitted from working with leading social mobility charity Career Ready, whose programme is designed to help students, like me, prepare for the transition from education to the working world. The Career Ready platform has provided me with one-to-one mentor meetings, masterclasses, workshop visits, and this amazing opportunity to complete a four-week internship with GIIA.

The idea of working with GIIA interested me as I saw it as a chance to explore a potential career path in an exciting sector. Going into this placement, I knew that I was interested in property, infrastructure, and law, and I was keen to make the most of this opportunity, discovering more about those who finance the infrastructure we use every day. My time with GIIA has undeniably given me a greater level of understanding in infrastructure investment and the wider corporate landscape. 

Working with the GIIA team, I’ve learnt how to apply the theoretical knowledge I have acquired in the classroom to real word situations, whether it is teamwork skills, problem-solving or time management. GIIA’s Membership & Partnerships Manager, Sophia Taylor’s guidance, as well as other excellent mentorship from other GIIA colleagues and leading voices in the sector, has not only helped me explore my interest in infrastructure, but also instilled in me a sense of confidence in my professionalism and abilities. I’ve had the opportunity to support real-world projects, working with colleagues on a range of tasks across communications and membership, whilst also gaining valuable insight into GIIA’s advocacy work.

The UK general election was held on 4 July 2024 – just three days before my internship began. Because of this, I was able to gain timely insight into how an advocacy body works, finding myself exploring a newfound interest in policy and engagement. As part of my development during this placement, I decided that I would like to explore the implications of the new Labour government for GIIA members and the wider infrastructure investment sector. Working with GIIA’s Policy and Public Affairs team, I learnt a lot about how policy development works, and how this can impact organisations within GIIA membership. I presented my newfound knowledge on ‘How has the 2024 general election impacted infrastructure investment?’ during our final presentation session to an audience of IIF interns, Career Ready staff, and industry professionals. It was great to work on such an exciting and relevant project, and I am grateful to have discovered a new area that interests me.

This internship has also allowed me to take away a whole new perspective of infrastructure. I've realised how much infrastructure matters, and how it is almost everywhere you look. This is because it ensures that everyone gets on with their everyday life. For example, efficient transportation enables movement of goods and people, boosting trade and productivity. Further, infrastructure ensures power supply for homes, businesses, and industries. Infrastructure investment is unlike any other asset class as it has far-reaching impact on not only the economy but also society - when investors put money into infrastructure projects, they are not only seeking financial returns but also contributing to the development of various communities and helping to meet net zero targets, provide social benefits and advance economic growth. GIIA’s work is vital to help build decision-maker’s understanding of the role that private capital plays in achieving these global targets, helping members to play their part in the next generation of sustainable and equitable infrastructure worldwide.

As partners of Career Ready, the Infrastructure Industry Foundation (IIF) provided several skill-building sessions for myself, and fellow interns completing placements with other companies in the sector. These sessions were an enjoyable experience as I was able to network with other interns and infrastructure professionals whilst learning key skills such as CV and personal statement support, career progression coaching, public speaking workshops, and presentation skills sessions. I’m grateful to those who volunteered their time and expertise to provide insight and development opportunities to myself and my fellow IIF interns, giving us some great experiences to take into the next stages of our careers.

My internship was not just a resume booster, but an incredibly impactful experience. I developed a huge amount of topical and practical knowledge, building some great experience doing hands-on work with a small team working on big issues, and I look forward to applying this learning to future endeavours. I’ve enjoyed every opportunity to build connections with others in the sector and would like to thank Career Ready and the IIF for the opportunities they have given not only myself, but other interns too. A final thanks to the GIIA team for their mentorship, support, and time during these four weeks, as I’ve had an amazing experience. 

If you think your organisation could host an intern, or you would like to learn more about ways to support the IIF’s social mobility initiative, please contact Sophia Taylor.

Keep up to date with the IIF on their LinkedIn page.