IEP - Corkscrew, Business Start-Up

"Corkscrew are an innovative provider of internships and business startup programs located all over the world. We’re based in the vibrant city of Exeter, UK, and our focus is clear. We want to create the best opportunities for personal and professional development on the market."  - Corkscrew

The Internship:

This was a 14-day international experience which took place from the 7th - 21st of February 2016, I got a taste of entrepreneurship and learned how to start my own business from scratch. I didn't go with a business idea in mind, extensive mentor support was available for idea development throughout the program.

I needed no knowledge of business prior to starting the program and each section was designed to leave us with a broad working knowledge of several key business areas shown below:

• Chapter 1: Here we learned how to find a viable business idea, creatively think outside of the box,  find gaps in the world around us and create a business solution for it.

• Chapter 2: We learned fundamental business skills and learned how to tell if an idea has the potential to be a feasible business.

• Chapter 3: We learned the technical skills needed to kick start our new business by starting small and growing big, when we finished this we built a website for our business.

• Chapter 4: Here we improved our professional skill set and learned vital employability and networking techniques that helped us stand out from the competition.

• The Finale: Worked on our idea throughout the program and pitch our idea to creators at the Pitch Day finale for judgment.

• Worked On A Real Client Project: Here we were consulting on a live business project for a startup company while on the program.

Why I did this Internship:

I did this internship because it was suitable for any person with an interest in entrepreneurship and business startup. The whole trip my accommodation, travel, and training was all provided for me so I didn't have to worry about anything. I learned new skills that will aid in future employment, entrepreneurship and further education.

During the Internship, I got to live with a local family and experience a new culture. The Internship was suitable for a range of career interests including hospitality, business, tourism, HR, and marketing. Overall it was a fun and worthwhile travel experience that I'm so thankful for.

On this program, I got to work with 24 other students of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds. The Internship was 9 to 4 daily, five days a week with weekends off so I really got to socialize outside of the workplace.

We were all in the same situation so it was easier to connect and work with them. After we finished our day we would either go for dinner together, the cinema or a lot of pubs and clubs. I didn't just take away a range of new business skills but I came back to Ireland with a lot of new close friends.

If you'd like to ask me any other questions about my experience please don't hesitate to ask in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading, Mark.

2016: My Top Five Highlights

1. INTERNSHIP IN EXETER 

I started off this year nervous and still in the closet but while on this Internship I got to see what it was like to have an openly gay life, even if it only lasted two weeks. The Internship was run for further education students by Irish Education Partners and was training in entrepreneurship and business startup. 

I got a new perspective on the business world which was completely different to my Multimedia degree. While here, we may have just partied the most of the time but I came away from this experience with some of the best friends I have today.

2. NEW BEGINNINGS 

Next up was graduating from my PLC in Stillorgan. This course may have been short, but it brought me so many opportunities and gave me such a great insight into Multimedia.

Getting accepted to Maynooth University was always a dream of mine and when I came home from America it was now a reality. Starting University and moving to Maynooth was one hell of a rollercoaster but I slowly started to fall in love with it. 

3.  A SHORT AMERICAN DREAM

My summer started off so different to any other as I flew all the way to San Francisco and got to explore this massive city for a few days before heading to South Lake Tahoe. I owe this crazy experience all to Americamp.

I started working at Camp Concord, which is now no doubt my second home. When I was there I really fell in love with my job as a camp counselor and working, while also getting to experience new things every day. One of my favorite memories was road tripping around California. I got to visit Yosemite National Park, LA and so much more with amazing friends.

4. NEW FRIENDS & FAMILY

As I mentioned this year was completely different to any other and that is all because of these amazing new friends you see above. They gave me the most amazing support without even realizing it and for that, I am forever grateful that they accepted me for me.

This year I got to spend a lot of time adventuring with friends which is one of my favorite things to do. I also turned 20 and spent my birthday with friends who no doubt I would call my family.

5. COMING OUT 

Coming out to my friends and family was an emotional rollercoaster this year but it was all worth it in the end. After coming out to family and close friends, I decided it was finally time to try and tell everyone so I created this blog and wrote "Today Is My Day" while also touching on the important topic of mental health. I got some of the most unexpected and loving responses from everyone.

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2016 was no doubt an extremely amazing year for me. Despite the above achievements and highlights, it was a year of realization and new beginnings. We also lost so may people this year all over the world and had so many tragedies, with that I would to just like to take a moment to remember all those we've lost and hope 2017 will be a year of peace and support for everyone.

Here's to a new year. 

Thanks for reading,

Mark x