People often have moments or experiences that are pivotal to their life journey – things they must mention when they talk about their story. For Isaac Newton, it was the discovery of gravity, for Marie Curie it was radium and polonium and for me it is the HDR UK Black Internship Programme. Since completing the internship, my confidence and expertise as a data scientist has increased by leaps and bounds.

How my journey with the Black Internship Programme started

Before we come back to the present, let’s backtrack a little to the start of this journey. When I came across the call for applications for the 2023 internship, there was an internal struggle on whether I, a career changer with a previous degree in management, was suitable to apply for an internship in health data science. This struggle was further intensified by the fact that everyone around me who I had seen qualify for the internship didn’t think they were qualified enough. Finally, I decided to apply, taking the statement ‘you lose a 100% of the shots you don’t take’ quite literally, and as you would have figured, I got in! I had an exhilarating experience during the internship, and it opened doors to both networking and career development opportunities.

When the call to take part in organising this year’s event was sent out, there was another internal struggle. This time around I doubted my ability to contribute meaningfully to the planning and organisation of the event. After all, it had been ‘just one year’ since I completed the internship, what experience could I possibly bring? Luckily, while this was ongoing, I was asked to host the opening ceremony and as someone who has a rule to ‘never turn down a professional/career request’, I agreed to host!

Being the Black Internship Programme Opening Ceremony host

Planning the ceremony involved coordinating with various stakeholders, ensuring every detail was perfect, from the lunch menu (the Jollof rice was one for the books!) to the speakers. Every activity was designed to foster a sense of belonging, motivation and camaraderie. The approach and values on display by the other members of the planning committee gave me an extra boost of confidence and belief in my experiences and ability to be the best possible host, this further quietened the voices of self-doubt. I realised that my being asked to host the event wasn’t a fluke but was testament to how much I had grown in ‘just one year’. This realisation had me giddy with excitement as I looked forward to hosting what was to be a memorable start for the incoming interns. Being involved in the planning also made me appreciate just how much hard work and dedication goes into being successful, I used to believe success was something that just happened but how wrong was I?

Sooner than I expected, the day arrived! As I welcomed the fresh faces, I felt a mix of nostalgia and excitement. Reflecting on my own experience, I and the other speakers shared stories of our challenges and triumphs, emphasising the importance of enjoying every moment and taking time out for rest and relaxation. The opportunity to share my story was incredibly fulfilling.

Hosting the ceremony was not just an honour; it was a testament to my professional and personal growth. It reinforced my belief in the transformative power of internships and the incredible journey they ignite.

My advice to potential interns

As I conclude, to anyone thinking of applying for this programme, my advice is just do it! And this is not to say, just submit any kind of application, this is rather to say, put your whole self into the application, pour your heart into it and who knows, you might just be writing a host blog sometime in the future!

A group of black interns pose for a photo using a selfie frame that says 'Future Health Data Scientist'