Conducting Work Experience with ICRD
In this guest blog, Kenzie Chadburn reflects on their recent work experience placement with ICRD.
Hi, my name is Kenzie and I’m a member of the youth-led LGBTQ+ project known as Stand Out! After Stand Out received an invitation in October 2022 to an event hosted by the Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD) and Arts Connect with Historic England, I was given the opportunity to write a blog post for ICRD; an opportunity that would go on to help provide me with a work experience placement with the ICRD team.
It was then upon officially being inducted on Monday 27th February 2023 that I joined in on the Create Walsall project. It was as a part of this project that I was given the opportunity to receive community researcher training, which, alongside being able to attend numerous online meetings, aided in developing my knowledge regarding the logistics of being a community researcher. On top of this, ICRD also funded my journey to come and see the Create Walsall exhibition, which allowed me to speak with researchers and participants associated with the project so that I could better understand what their involvement entailed. Additionally, I was once more given the opportunity to write for the ICRD blog, this time about the Create Walsall exhibition — a valuable opportunity that allowed me to further develop my writing skills.
A similar challenge was presented when I was asked to help write both an archival research resource, and a resource for gathering oral histories. These tasks allowed me to call upon my knowledge that I’d gained as a part of Stand Out, whilst also allowing me to diversify my writing style in an efficient manner; receiving constant feedback and advice as I worked, all whilst knowing that what I was writing would have practical use and value for ICRD’s Cosmopolitan Boston project.
I was also able to develop my presentation skills. This came from being able to create and then give a presentation on my work with Stand Out in an ICRD meeting, and also from the opportunity to speak in front of 200 people on the ‘Why Engaging Young People in Heritage is Key to Levelling Up’ webinar. This was an especially valuable experience as it required me to write a script beforehand, a script that would help me to succinctly answer questions without going over my allotted time slot (especially important given my tendency to ramble!).
All of these opportunities greatly contributed to my confidence, particularly in my work and ability to communicate with people in a more professional setting — the latter of which has been of great value to me as an autistic individual.
Overall, my placement has helped me to develop my knowledge pertaining to community research, as well as my personal and working abilities. Especially considering how helpful and considerate the ICRD team have been, I can easily say that I’m grateful for this overwhelmingly positive experience and would wholeheartedly recommend applying for anyone interested in learning about community research and advancing their own capabilities!
