A culture of fun and real opportunities for interns at Travelport

Created by VERCIDA for Travelport

 

Aisha Hawkins and Megan Bowbrick discuss the benefits and opportunities of Travelport’s innovative internship programme.

Aisha is a talent acquisition intern at Travelport, while Megan undertook an internship, worked at Travelport part-time when she finished her studies and is now a commercial operations business partner for the travel technology company.

 

Megan, Commercial Operations Business Partner

 

What encouraged you to take the internships?

Aisha: I looked at a few different internships for my placement year and from the second I looked at Travelport’s careers page, I could see the company culture coming through. It is a fun working environment, as well as being very welcoming, especially for me, as starting an office job for the first time was very daunting.

Megan: One of the things that really stood out for me was the interview process when I became a strategy intern. A lot of other companies are very focused on testing and don’t really get to know you as a person. But at Travelport, they spent a lot of time straight away learning about you and your ability to learn. When it’s your first job out of university, you don’t necessarily have a lot of work experience. I also liked that the interview process was about helping people understand if Travelport was the right place for them. Everyone was so friendly during the whole process – it’s a very personable environment, so I felt really comfortable.

 

Tell us more about the recruitment process.

Aisha: A key part of my role is to hire the next cohort of interns. We have three main stages – it starts with the initial applications where we review CVs and make sure the candidates are eligible, which generally means they have to be second-year students looking to complete a placement year. Then candidates complete a video Q&A on a platform called HireVue. This is a really cool stage of the process and it’s very important. We want the candidates to find out about the company culture. The final stage is showcase day, which includes group activities and interviews with the hiring managers. This is our chance to talk about Travelport’s values, culture and the unique opportunities for interns. Applicants are encouraged to ask plenty of questions of Travelport at the showcase. As Megan said, we want to make sure we’re the right fit for our interns.

 

What makes Travelport’s internships stand out?

Megan: We offer opportunities that some other companies may not, such as our Internpreneurship programme and a really big focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). You get so much time to work with other interns as well as with senior leaders, so you can build your profile within the company. Working with your peers is such a valuable experience.

 

What are some examples of Travelport’s CSR activities?

Megan: The wider company supports the Save the Children charity and different teams do CSR activities across the globe. Locally, we do things such as charity runs and bake sales. 

Aisha: We had a samosa sale for charity to celebrate Eid and we want to do more CSR events where more people can get involved. At the moment, we are planning a large-scale rowing event – 50 employees will be taking part in that one on the Thames.

 

What does the Internpreneurship programme involve?

Aisha: It is one of the opportunities interns have to work with senior employees. The Internpreneurship programme is a bit like The Apprentice. Teams of interns are given tasks that involve solving real issues in the business. The interns have to come up with as many ideas as they can, ideas they think will actually be feasible. At the end of the task, the interns get to pitch their solutions to senior leaders and, if the ideas are good enough, they can be implemented in the company. Interns have these opportunities to make an impact on the business – Travelport puts a lot of trust in the interns. Interns are given proper work, rather than work that nobody else wants to do.

 

Aisha, Talent acquisition intern

 

Is there a culture of mentorship at Travelport?

Aisha: Yes, absolutely. My mentor was an intern a few years ago and she rejoined Travelport after graduating. It’s nice to have someone to talk to who has been through the same process that I am going through. She gives me helpful tips on things such as how to make the most of the internship and manage stress. She works in a different business area to me, so I have had the opportunity to shadow her and learn more about a different part of the business.

Megan: Alongside mentorship, there is the opportunity to get coaching and advice from senior leaders. We have a lunch-and-learn programme where leaders speak to interns who can ask questions, plus the panel coordinates personal development sessions. Travelport is so invested in our development, to ensure we all do well.

 

Megan, tell us about your role on the panel that supports employees.

Megan: I am a part of a panel where I am able to share my experience as someone who has been through the internship programme. There is a good mix of people on the panel, such as a colleague who has been with Travelport for a long time. The panel has people with a wide range of views and experiences. I do this as well as my day job and it’s a fantastic thing to be a part of.

 

How does Travelport promote a good work-life balance and encourage social activities? 

Aisha: Travelport puts a high value on putting people first. We have an inclusive workplace, as well as plenty of opportunities for socialising. We have a new area called The Lounge, which has air hockey, darts, spaces for chats, an area to watch TV, and you can grab a drink from the fridge when you are taking a break. Everyone at Travelport is willing to support you and it’s not a very hierarchical company, so it’s easy to speak to a senior leader for advice. 

 

What are your ambitions for the future?

Aisha: I’ve still got one more year of university left after Travelport, which I am looking forward to. This internship has given me a good sense of what I want to do. There’s a graduate scheme at Travelport that I’m interested in – it’s a really welcoming atmosphere here and I am really enjoying my role in HR. I think I’d like to do something along those lines. 

Megan: I’ve been in four or five different roles at Travelport that have all had a strategy focus while touching on different areas. That has helped me decide that strategy and operations is where I’d like to continue my career. I am learning a lot at Travelport and I am really happy in my role.

 

Find out more about working at Travelport

Explore current vacancies at Travelport