Today we’re speaking to the newest member of the Greyfriars Team – Project Intern Ryan Jackson. As Ryan Jackson wraps up his eighth and final week with us, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on his time here at Greyfriars. Ryan joined the team as a Project Intern, and over the past seven weeks, he’s become a valued part of the office — bringing new ideas, a great attitude, and a real willingness to get stuck in.
During his internship, Ryan worked closely with both our Project and Cost Management teams, contributing to ongoing projects. He also played a key role in supporting the recertification of our ISO systems and planning and filming content for our social media.
We recently sat down with Ryan to hear more about his internship, what brought him to Greyfriars, and what he’s taken away from the experience.
It’s been really rewarding to have you join us here at Greyfriars as our first Project Management Intern – you’ve already made a real impact, and it’s been great seeing you settle in. To start us off, could you tell me a bit about your academic journey so far? Where are you studying, what course are you on, and what was it that first sparked your interest in that subject?
I’m studying International Business management at the University of east Anglia (Just down the road!). I’m 2 years into my studies now and I’m loving the opportunity of diving into different subjects involving all things business and I’m happy to say I’m on course to achieve a great grade after completing my degree in the summer next year!
My first thought after Sixth form was not to head straight into University. I wanted to experience the world and a multitude of industry before deciding where I wanted the path of my career to take me. So, after a year of lorry driving, shelf stacking and forklift driving, I applied to UEA, and the rest is history!
Thinking back to when you were applying — what was it about Greyfriars that made you think, “Yes, I want to be part of that”? Was there something about our projects, the team, or maybe the culture here that really stood out to you?
My first experience of finding out who Greyfriars was when I did some research into who was behind the Hay Hill regeneration. I really like how it turned out and was interested to see Greyfriars were project managing it. I then decided to email them, explaining my situation and what I was looking for. I have since discovered that team are a very knowledgeable, hardworking and friendly group of professionals. I wouldn’t have wanted to do an internship anywhere else!
Now that you’ve been with us for a little while, what kind of things have you been working on? Could you give us a bit of a behind-the-scenes look at your day-to-day — what sorts of projects you’ve been involved in, and what a typical day looks like for you?
My work here at Greyfriars is incredibly varied, which is something I really enjoy! I’m involved in regular live project work as well as some internal management, marketing and admin roles.
A typical day for me usually involves a mix of things. I might start by reviewing previous meeting minutes, responding to emails and updating documentation, then head out to one of the sites to meet with contractors and oversee progress. I also spend a good amount of time working on the marketing and social media sides of the business. It’s a hands-on role, and I’m constantly learning!
Has there been a particular highlight of your internship so far? Maybe a moment where something clicked, a task you really enjoyed, or even just a learning experience that’s stuck with you?
My time here has been packed with highlights, but I’d have to say the site visits to the Marketplace Public Realm and O&M projects in Great Yarmouth have been particularly insightful. It’s been fascinating to see the intricate planning and execution that goes into these large-scale developments, and to understand the long-term management involved. Being on the ground and witnessing the transformation first hand has really solidified my understanding of the development lifecycle.
Beyond the projects themselves, I’ve also discovered a real passion for marketing, which I’ve absolutely loved immersing myself in. It’s been great to contribute to the strategies for how we communicate our projects and values. I’ve enjoyed exploring how we present Greyfriars to the public, from crafting podcasts, project revisited video series and a quarterly newsletter. I’ve enjoyed putting my own touch and influence on these projects and have relished this unexpected dive into marketing. It has been a fantastic bonus and a key learning point of my internship!
And finally, looking ahead — where do you see yourself in five years’ time? Do you have any big dreams or goals you’re working towards, whether that’s career-wise or something more personal?
In five years, time, I see myself having built a strong foundation in project management, ideally within a dynamic company similar to Greyfriars following my graduation. I’m keen to take on more responsibility and be increasingly involved in the strategic planning and execution of larger projects. My goal is to become a well-rounded professional, continuing to learn and apply my skills across various aspects of business, from project management to maybe even contributing more to the marketing side of a business.
Ultimately, I’m working towards a future where I can play a significant role in shaping communities, whatever industry that is in, contributing to exciting and impactful projects that all. I’m excited to see where the next five years take me!
Thanks so much for your time Ryan, you’ve been an absolute superstar and we look forward to seeing where your career takes you!
For more information on Internships at Greyfriars visit our careers page or get in touch!
To hear more from Ryan check out his interview with our Director of Cost Management Tim Boucher.