Meet our Intern Gráinne Clinch!

Where are you from?
I’m originally from Dublin but I attended university in Maynooth.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
I studied law in Maynooth for 4 years. I’ve done internships throughout my time at University. I was interested in branching out from law. I knew about Mason Alexander from social media – I felt like I would be a good fit and it would be a great place to gain real knowledge.

How did you find out about the internship at MA?
I was aware of Mason Alexander as the company was so active on social media. I had also heard about the company through word of mouth. I found out about the internship through the company’s twitter @MasonAlexander_ and on indeed.ie.

What interested you most about MA when you were looking for an internship?
What interested me most about the internship was it seemed like a really good place to work. I feel I had experience from previous roles and I wanted to branch out from my law degree and look at the legal and finance industry from a different perspective.

What does a typical day at MA look like for you?
Every day is different which is the most exciting thing about working in MA. I format CV’s and answer the phone. But what I enjoy most is the social media posts – myself & Jenny post every day on social media. I love the creative side of things and thinking of different ways to promote the company. I’ve attended many events whilst working here including women in business events, which I found really beneficial to furthering my career. I’ve also been lucky enough to attend social events such as outdoor yoga. Friday drinks is also a highlight of my week which is when everyone stops working at 4.30pm and we have a few drinks in the office and get to know everyone on a more personal level. A real highlight has been the amount of celebrations there are in the office – everyone is recognized and valued for their hard work.

Any tips for others who might be thinking about internships?
Do your research! Pick the company which is best suited to you. At the end of the day you are spending your summer at this company and you need to ensure the company is the right fit for you and you’re the right fit for the company. Ensure that you have a genuine interest in the position you are going for. If you have a genuine interest in what you’re doing, you will excel.

What is your favorite part about being an MA intern?
The level of responsibility you are given within the company. As an intern, I was given real work and I was in a position to make decisions which is a real rarity for an internship.

What was one thing about the recruitment industry that surprised you the most?
From my previous experience in dealing with recruitment agencies it often seemed like I was just a figure to them and they didn’t actually have any concern for whether the job was a right fit for me. At Mason Alexander I love to see how their consultants have a genuine interest in the clients and candidates they are dealing with. They always ensure that both parties are a genuine right fit.

How has your internship shaped your vision for your future career path?
The internship with Mason Alexander has really opened my eyes into the various different routes and career paths that are out there.

Favourite MA tradition?
Without a doubt the policy at Mason Alexander is that you must greet all colleagues with a handshake when you arrive in the morning. I feel like it is a way of having a good relationship with everyone in the office. As an intern I also find it is a way to get to know senior staff within the office, which I find has been a great way to learn from people who have expertise in specific areas within both recruitment and their individual sectors.

What you will miss most at MA?
The team at Mason Alexander. There’s a great atmosphere at MA – there is a real team spirt. Everyone wants each other to succeed. I’ll especially miss my Momanger – Jenny the Office Manager. She genuinely made my internship a really enjoyable experience.