Internships
About
OxFizz runs an annual internship programme for students at university in Oxford, enabling them to learn skills and gain experience working for an innovative social enterprise.
Our internship programme is aimed at those interested in charities, philanthropy and social enterprise. It is especially useful for anyone looking to go into the charity sector or social enterprise as a career. We aim to train charity leaders of the future.
There is a paradox in third sector employment: charities require applicants to have experience; but the number of internships or work experience available in charities is minimal.
What we provide
We seek to bridge that gap by providing structured internships, providing experience, training and seminars and Summer Placements for our team of interns.
OxFizz internships are a real development opportunity, enabling interns to learn relevant skills and experience while raising money for charity in an innovative enterprise.
Each intern is given a specific role within one of our enterprises.
We invite speakers to Oxford to deliver seminars on topics relevant to social enterprise and leadership. Previous training and seminars have included talks on Public Speaking, Marketing and Management. We also organise visits to London to hear prominent speakers.
OxFizz partners with a number of charities to provide Summer Placements for selected interns, to develop and build their experience in another organisation. We have placements at charities including UnLtd (the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs), Royal Geographical Society and Earthwatch.
What others say
Isobel - OxFizz Intern 2007-8.The skills I developed can be widely applied across all sectors, and I would urge anyone thinking of applying for an OxFizz internship to do so! (Click here to read more about Isobel's experiences)
Sophie - OxFizz Intern 2009-10.My OxFizz internship, as well as being an enjoyable and rewarding experience, has made me really consider a career in charity and has given me great skills and experience to enhance my application for any job. (Click here to read more about Sophie's experiences)
Stuart Etherington - Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary OrganisationsThe OxFizz internship programme offers invaluable experience for young people interested in working in the third sector. The training, seminars and placements OxFizz offers help to develop the key skills that will both encourage talented young people to work for a charity, and boost their employability.
I studied Mandarin Chinese at Oxford, and prior to working with OxFizz, all my work in the voluntary sector had been concerned with international development and education in China.
I was looking for an unusual and worthwhile extra-curricular activity to take on in my final year, and OxFizz seemed to fit the bill - it was voluntary work, but with an entrepreneurial twist.
I joined the Business team in June 2007, and our first task was to research and obtain funding for the next year. This remained the team's key task over the summer, and was one of the main focuses of our work across the whole year.
In addition, we developed the "Friends of OxFizz" scheme, a networking programme for our mentors and supporters.
We also had the opportunity to organise receptions for our supporters, make a pitch to the Procter and Gamble "Dragons' Lair" competition (where we won the Oxford round and were highly commended in the national final) and conduct a market research focus group exercise.
In addition to our main tasks, all OxFizz interns had the opportunity to attend skills seminars throughout the year, from public speaking to marketing. My personal favourite was a day-long course on positive management, which gave us a basic introduction to managing a team efficiently and constructively.
In summer 2008 I undertook a 6-week placement organised for me by OxFizz at UnLtd, the foundation for social entrepreneurs. Working with the Ventures team, my main role was to conduct an assessment into the advisory and financial support offered to social entrepreneurs working with UnLtd, and offer suggestions as to how this could be improved. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UnLtd - it was excellent exposure to the grant-making side of social enterprise, and I met many inspiring social entrepreneurs.
I feel that my time with OxFizz has broadened my horizons substantially, by introducing me to the world of social enterprise. I am actively considering a career in the sector as a result of my internship, and I am certain that my experiences with OxFizz will stand me in good stead in the future.
I would definitely recommend the internship programme to anyone interested in the voluntary sector or social enterprise. The skills I developed can be widely applied across all sectors, and I would urge anyone thinking of applying for an OxFizz internship to do so!
I applied for an internship with OxFizz in my second year of studying Ancient and Modern History at Oxford. I was considering a career in the charity sector and wanted to get some experience so the Careers Service recommended OxFizz. I thought it would be easier for me to work for a social enterprise alongside my studies than doing an internship in the holidays and the OxFizz experience has really been invaluable.
During my time working for OxFizz, I was responsible for the training and recruitment of interviewers for Oxbridge Interviews. This involved advertising opportunities to finalists at Oxford and Cambridge as well as contacting alumni. Working on the feedback from the training in the previous year, I put more practice at interviewing into the training. Due to popular demand I also integrated more tea breaks into the day. Delivering the training was a really rewarding exercise as everybody was more confident and capable at the end of the day and seemed to enjoy every minute.
An additional experience I was able to gain whilst working for OxFizz was interviewing candidates for the permanent position of Oxbridge Interviews Coordinator. This made me think much more about how I would present myself in an interview and what interviewers are looking for, which will definitely help me with careers in the long term.
My OxFizz internship, as well as being an enjoyable and rewarding experience, has made me really consider a career in charity and has given me great skills and experience to enhance my application for any job.
Vacancies
We have internship opportunities with all our three branches, Career Interview Coaching, Oxbridge Interviews and the Oxford & Cambridge Summer School.
Current vacancies
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Celebrating its fifth birthday this year, OxFizz is an award winning and pioneering not-for-profit social enterprise that is completely unique. We are looking for...
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Celebrating its fifth birthday this year, OxFizz is an award winning and pioneering not-for-profit social enterprise that is completely unique. We are looking for a...
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Tutor with the Oxford & Cambridge Summer School!
OxFizz is keen to hear from any Oxford University postgraduates interested in becoming a volunteer tutor with our new Oxford & Cambridge Summer School in...
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Interview with Oxbridge Interviews!
Oxbridge Interviews is keen to hear from any Oxbridge graduates (or undergraduates in their final year who will graduate this year) interested in becoming a...
We welcome contact throughout the year, and can answer any questions you might have. Please email , or click here to be put on our maillist.

