We've just waved off our very first work experience student, and what a productive five weeks it has been. Alex, who is studying Sports & Exercise Science at the University of Lancashire, spent his placement getting stuck into everything from wearable data to plasticine poo props. We sat down with him to find out what life at PEAK4 is really like.

First impressions

What were your first impressions of PEAK4 in week one, the office, the people, the pace?

“My first impression was that there is a lot going on all the time, with everyone involved working on so many different projects, and I wondered how they kept up with the speed of it all. Throughout the first week I began to understand that everyone collaborates across departments to help the company. It's a great environment to grow and to work in.”

Were there any areas you were particularly excited to get involved in, based on what you already knew about PEAK4?

“Yes, I was looking forward to working with wearables and the data driven side of things. Before I joined, that was almost the extent of my knowledge of what the company does, but I now know there is so much more to it.”

What I actually got up to

Alex worked across several parts of the business during his placement.

What were your top three projects that you got involved with?

Wearable Weekly with Tom Whitehead, PEAK4 Expert, and Haleema Khokhar, Communications Manager

“This was one of the first things I was involved in, though it was more of an observe and get to grips sort of task. I was brought into the weekly meeting between the team that handles clients' wearable data and Haleema, Communications Manager, who works on the Wearable Weekly, an update that goes out to clients each week. It was a really interesting insight into the whole cycle, from the data that's collected to how it's fed back to the clients.”

Video shoot day with Kim Clarke, Content and Expert Lead, and Sally Spicer, PEAK4's expert on Food as Medicine

“This was definitely one of the more varied projects compared to the usual tasks. I helped Kim film videos for Sally Spicer, a nutrition therapist who works with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic. It was a long day of filming and brainstorming, but I really enjoyed it because it was so creative, figuring out what would work best and how to make the finished product as good as it could be. Kim even had us make plasticine models of different bowel movements as a visual prop for one of the videos, which was actually quite fun to do, as funny as it was.”

A learning module for PEAK4's Community and Social Value work

“This was possibly the most challenging project I worked on, because of the parameters I was given. I was tasked with helping create a module for PEAK4's learning platform, the Learning Locker, aimed at a group of people with learning difficulties. That was a completely new area for me. The brief meant the presentation could use almost no words, so I built two versions: one with just one or two words per slide, and one with no words at all. It was hard because I'd never realised how difficult it is to explain something clearly without using words, and I had to get creative to work it out. Overall, it was a really rewarding project.”

The unexpected bits

Was there a funny or memorable moment?

“Probably making those excrement models for the gut health video.”

Was there anyone at PEAK4 who inspired you, or made you think about their work as a future career path for yourself?

“...the team as a whole works so hard, and it all comes from a genuine passion for the work they do. That sells a company without even trying. It made me want to produce better work and get involved in as much as I could.”

Real work, not just busywork

As an intern, a lot of what you work on can end up on the backburner. Did anything you work on actually get used?

“That wasn't the case at PEAK4, my work did show up every day, but if I had to pick three, I'd say the script and questions I drafted for the Nautilus Podcast episode, about PEAK4's support of five crew members who completed the GB Row Challenge and broke a Guinness World Record, will be used on shoot day in early September. The content I drafted for the 'What is...' series, which explains wellness topics to PEAK4 clients, is being uploaded to the Learning Locker. And as I mentioned, my input on shoot day with Sally Spicer will be reflected in the next video, poo visuals and all.”

What I learned

What's one thing you learned about yourself during this experience?

“I learned that it's okay to fail, or make a suggestion that doesn't quite land, because behind those little mistakes is a willingness to put yourself out there.”

Rapid fire

Favourite sports team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Favourite sports related book: Greatness, by David L. Cook

Three words for the PEAK4 culture: Passionate, fast, and supportive

What's one piece of advice you'd give the next work experience student?

“Get stuck into everything, even if you don't think it's for you. There are so many ways to contribute if you're open to offering help wherever you can.”

Want an experience like Alex's?

If you're interested in an experience like Alex's, and you'd like to get stuck into the working world while continuing your studies, drop us a line with your CV and a short cover letter about why you'd be a great PEAKIE. Email hello@peak4.co.uk.