Over the last week of July, US2U Consulting was pleased to offer an internship opportunity to Sophie McKrell, a current BSc Psychology student at the University of Bath, to enable her to gain insight into the management consultancy industry and into how a boutique consultancy such as US2U Consulting operates.
Sophie has shared her reflections on her week with us, and what she has gained from the experience, below:
"This week, I had the opportunity to complete an internship at US2U Consulting, and it has been one of the most valuable learning experiences of my degree so far. As a Psychology undergraduate at the University of Bath with aspirations of building a career in HR, this experience allowed me to see first-hand how psychological principles underpin effective leadership, recruitment and organisational success.
"The week began with a comprehensive induction, where I gained an insight into the foundations of the business. From understanding the importance of confidentiality, GDPR and health and safety, to exploring US2U's values, sustainability strategy and client-focused approach, I saw how strong organisational culture is built intentionally. It also highlighted how every successful business relies on clear processes, effective communication and people-centred values.
"One of the highlights of the week was visiting a long-standing client to film promotional content. It was fascinating to see the strength of a trusted client relationship that had been built over many years and to observe the professionalism involved in representing a business. It reinforced the importance of teamwork, relationship management and creating positive workplace cultures.
"Throughout the week I was trusted with a variety of real projects, including writing articles published on the company website, drafting content for the company’s international e-newsletter, adapting client resources and communicating professionally via email and zoom meetings. Receiving constructive feedback and refining my work gave me valuable experience of professional writing and showed me how important continuous improvement is in the workplace.
"Perhaps the area I enjoyed most was gaining an insight into recruitment and assessment. I had the opportunity to compare candidates using psychometric assessments alongside verbal, numerical and critical reasoning tests, learning how evidence-based recruitment supports fair and effective hiring decisions. I was also fortunate to have a one-to-one conversation with US2U Consultant Jan Baynham, one of the first people in the UK to gain a degree in Occupational Psychology. Hearing about her career journey, her extensive experience using psychometric assessments, and her advice on building a career in this field provided a fascinating perspective on the profession. Experiencing occupational psychology applied in a real business environment strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in HR and reinforced the value of evidence-based decision making.
"As part of the internship, I also explored topics including project management, executive coaching, learning styles, change management, leadership, diversity and inclusion, and HR policies and procedures. These experiences demonstrated just how broad the HR profession is and how psychology underpins so many aspects of organisational success.
"One of my favourite pieces of work was writing a thought leadership article exploring why every management decision is ultimately a people decision. Bringing together concepts from my Psychology degree and applying them to a real business context reminded me why I chose this subject and reinforced how valuable psychological knowledge is within organisations.
"The week concluded with attending a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce networking event, where I had the opportunity to meet professionals from a range of industries and practise introducing myself through an elevator pitch. It was a fantastic confidence-building experience and highlighted the value of building professional relationships.
"Above all, I am incredibly grateful to Rachel Blackburn MBE for investing so much time in my development throughout the week. Rachel's willingness to share her knowledge, experience and leadership journey made this placement far more than work experience - it became genuine career development. It was inspiring to learn from someone whose career has taken her across the UK and internationally, working with organisations in countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the United States. As a Norfolk Ambassador and recipient of an MBE for services to business and exports, Rachel has achieved an incredible amount throughout her career, yet what stood out most was her genuine passion for developing people and building lasting relationships with clients. Observing the way she builds relationships, communicates with clients and leads with integrity demonstrated the qualities of an exceptional business leader and gave me a fantastic role model as I begin my own career. She has further reinforced my ambition to pursue a career in HR where I can make a positive difference to people and organisations alike.
"I leave the week with far more than new skills - I leave with greater confidence, valuable professional connections and a much clearer vision for my future career. This experience has reinforced my passion for HR and demonstrated how psychology can make a meaningful difference to both people and organisational performance. As I begin applying for HR placements, I will take forward the knowledge, experiences and inspiration I have gained throughout this week. I am incredibly grateful to everyone at US2U Consulting, and especially Rachel, for such an inspiring opportunity that I know will shape the next stage of my career."
We're glad you found your time at US2U Consulting helpful, Sophie!
If you are interested in gaining work experience at US2U Consulting, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a suggestion of what you have to offer and what you would be looking to get out of the experience.