Staff profile: Dr Fiona Whitehouse
Fiona Whitehouse is Head of the Internship Office at the University’s Careers Service, as well as the Project Sponsor for a new student app MyOxford
Dr Fiona Whitehouse tells us about her role at the Careers Service
Tell us more about yourself and the role.
I really enjoy my job and the busy office! I work with highly professional colleagues who are all insightful, kind, and who take great care to provide independent and impartial careers advice. I also have the privilege to support students every day of my working week.
The Internship Office is responsible for delivering over 1,800 exclusive internships to Oxford students each year, offering mentoring opportunities for bursary holders, and supporting students through the process of securing internships and other work experiences.
The workload is varied and can be a little tricky to juggle at times, but I am an early starter (I start work somewhere between 6.45am and 7.15am depending on how much I have on, and how fast I cycle) and the pace of work means there is never a boring moment at the Careers Service.
What does a normal day look like in your role?
With ten of us in the Internship and Mentoring Team much of my time is spent supporting the managers to deliver these amazing programmes and help them navigate hiccups along the way (of which, there are always a few). I also spend time in one-to-ones with Crankstart Scholars (students from low-income backgrounds) who have unlimited support at the Careers Service and their own mentoring and internship programme.
I see at least two scholars every day which I love. They are bright, inquisitive, interesting, and interested in the world around them. They are an absolute joy to work with and they have taught me so much in terms of the student experience at Oxford.
I am also part of the Senior Management Team at the Careers Service. We make strategic, budgetary, operational and policy decisions to keep the Service relevant and central to the students we support (and a good place to work). I am a rather energetic colleague, so I try not to be too overbearing with my enthusiasm for all things ‘internships’. A Pro-Vice Chancellor of old once said I never stopped talking ‘shop’ (I think she meant internships…).
Are there key projects you are focusing on right now?
The key project I am focusing on right now though is outside Careers. I am the Project Sponsor for a new app called MyOxford which will give students access to all the systems and services that they need in one handy place.
Students will be able to navigate the complexities of our collegiate University more easily with the app, greatly improving their student experience. They will even be able to book careers and internship appointments through it!
A selection of students will be piloting the app this Trinity term and their feedback will be used to help improve its design and functionality before we launch to all students in Michaelmas.
This app is proving to be one of the most exciting collaborative projects I have ever worked on and draws on expertise from all parts of the University. We are indeed greater than the sum of parts!
What do you enjoy most about the role?
The best bit about my job is working with really diverse, energised students and staff. It’s amazing to encounter so many perspectives and lived experiences; from care leavers with 11 A Levels to colleagues who provide careers support to vulnerable adults outside of work.
Is there anything you would like to point staff members towards?
If you would like to offer an internship (I never miss a chance) please get in touch: fiona.whitehouse@careers.ox.ac.uk.
