Autotrader life

A bit about me

Hi! I’m Jasmine, and I’m currently a summer People and Culture Intern at Autotrader. I’m also a second-year psychology student at MMU, with a growing interest in organisational psychology and how people experience work culture and belonging.

When I started looking for internships, I wanted an opportunity that would help me understand what a career in this space could really look like while building transferable skills along the way. Like many students, I applied to lots of different places and got through to different stages, but none of them turned into a final offer. After months of applying, it was easy to feel discouraged, but I kept going because I knew how much an opportunity could teach me.

That opportunity came through 10,000 Black Interns, a programme that helps create paid internships for Black students and graduates across industries. When I saw the Autotrader role come through, I was curious but also a little unsure at first, as I thought I had already received all the opportunities available to me through the programme. But once I started researching Autotrader, a few things stood out to me: the culture, the values, and the variety of work I could be exposed to as a People and Culture Intern.

By the time I reached the final in-person interview, I was extremely nervous, as you can imagine. But when I walked into the office, I felt a sense of comfort that helped me relax and show up as myself. That feeling stayed with me. It made the opportunity feel different, and it gave me the confidence to perform at my best.

Getting Stuck In

If I had to describe my internship so far, I’d say it’s been a bit of everything – in the best way. One week, I’m writing blogs, thinking about how to tell stories in a way that feels real and relatable. Another week, I’m at a food shoot helping capture content for the company or visiting schools to support cyber awareness sessions.

But alongside the fun and unexpected parts, I’ve also had the chance to explore areas that connect closely to what I’m interested in. After learning about people-management capabilities and how managers can support their teams, I asked whether there was any way I could get involved. Since then, I’ve been able to support a project in that space, which has been valuable because it aligns closely with my interest in organisational psychology.

What I’ve really valued is that I haven’t felt boxed into one type of work. If there was something I was curious about, or a project I wanted to learn more about, space was made for me to get involved. That has helped me build confidence, try new things, and see just how varied People and Culture can be.

It’s made the experience feel less like I’m just “doing an internship” and more like I’m properly learning, contributing and finding out what kind of work excites me.

Things I wish I known before starting

If you’re thinking about applying for an internship, my biggest advice is to put yourself out there for the opportunities you want, even if you don’t feel 100% ready.

Be confident

• Even on the days when you don’t fully feel it. A lot of the time, confidence comes after you’ve taken the first step, not before. I wish I had known that you don’t need to have everything figured out to deserve a place in the room.

Be open

• Some of the best parts of my internship have come from saying yes to things I didn’t expect to be involved in.

Be curious

• If you’re curious about something, ask. If there’s a project you want to learn more about, get involved. This is your internship and your experience too, so make the most of the chance to explore, network and learn from the people around you.

Have fun

• Most importantly, have fun with it. Internships are about learning, but they’re also about discovering what excites you, meeting new people and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you might think.

What I’m taking with me

Looking back, I can see how much this opportunity has helped me grow, both personally and professionally. I feel more confident, less afraid to put myself forward, and more comfortable presenting myself and speaking in front of others.

I’m incredibly grateful to have had this internship through 10,000 Black Interns and Autotrader. From the beginning, I’ve felt welcomed, supported and trusted to get involved in meaningful work. It has given me transferable skills, new confidence and a clearer idea of what I want from the next step in my career.