In summer 2025, we were delighted to host 20 interns across Population Data Science as part of our annual Summer Internship Programme. We reached out to them recently and asked them to share their experiences.
In this blog series, our interns talk about the lessons and skills they’ve picked up, their ambitions for the future, and the advice they’d give to future interns.
Sneha Shaji
Project: Trends in Critical Care Elective and Emergency Surgical Admissions.
Looking back on your time with us, what are the key lessons and/or skills you have learned?
During my internship, I strengthened my skills in data extraction, cleaning, and analysis using SQL and R Studio while working with large-scale healthcare data. I learned to interpret population-level trends, ensure data quality, and maintain strict information governance standards. Collaborating with researchers improved my communication and problem-solving abilities, while hands-on experience with real-world health data enhanced my confidence in applying analytics to support evidence-based healthcare outcomes.
Is there a specific accomplishment/moment from your internship you are especially proud of?
A moment I’m especially proud of was presenting my analysis of PACU (Post Anaesthetic Care Unit) admissions on Presentation Day. Sharing my findings with the audience and seeing them valued was incredibly rewarding. Preparing for this also strengthened my technical skills, particularly in SQL for data extraction and R Studio for visualisation and interpretation. It was a defining experience that boosted both my confidence and my ability to communicate complex data effectively.
How has your understanding of Population Data Science changed during/following your internship?
During my internship, my understanding of Population Data Science deepened significantly. I moved from seeing it as purely large-scale data analysis to appreciating how securely linked data can reveal meaningful trends that directly inform healthcare decisions. Working with real population-level data taught me the importance of data governance, quality, and context when interpreting outcomes. I now see Population Data Science as a powerful bridge between research, policy, and improving patient care.
In what ways, if any, has this internship influenced your career plans?
This internship has strengthened my decision to pursue a career in health data analytics and population-level research. Working with real-world data and contributing to meaningful insights showed me how impactful data-driven decisions can be in improving healthcare services. The experience boosted my technical confidence and confirmed my interest in roles that combine analytics, clinical insight, and research. It has motivated me to further develop my skills and build a career within Population Data Science.
What advice would you give to others thinking of applying to the internship programme?
I would encourage anyone considering this internship to apply with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Make the most of the opportunity to work with large-scale data and ask questions whenever you need guidance, the team is very supportive. Strengthening your analytical skills beforehand, especially in SQL and R, will help you feel more confident. Most importantly, be proactive, stay curious, and embrace the chance to contribute to meaningful research.
Temilola Adedolado
Project: SERP Software Dev Team – Software Developer.
Looking back on your time with us, what are the key lessons and/or skills you have learned?
I gained a strong understanding of how to conduct myself professionally in a workplace environment. I also developed confidence in collaborating with others and learned the importance of speaking up when I need support—something I previously struggled with, as I tended to take on everything myself.
Is there a specific accomplishment/moment from your internship you are especially proud of?
I’m proud of the features I contributed to our application and seeing their real-time impact during demos. I’m also proud of the presentation Euan (a fellow intern working on the same project as me) and I delivered. Despite being nervous, I presented confidently, and it went really well.
How has your understanding of Population Data Science changed during/following your internship?
Working on a system that helps researchers track their impact highlighted how interconnected population data science is. Seeing how different data sources and research areas connect was eye-opening and helped deepen my understanding of the field.
In what ways, if any, has this internship influenced your career plans?
The internship helped me discover which areas of software development I enjoy most, as well as the frameworks and languages I prefer working with. It gave me clarity and direction for my future career path.
What advice would you give to others thinking of applying to the internship programme?
Apply, you won’t regret it! The experience is incredibly valuable, and the skills I gained helped me secure a full-time software developer role just one week after finishing the internship!
Yulia Shubina
Project: Using data visualisation to enhance data quality reporting and metadata in the SAIL Databank.
Looking back on your time with us, what are the key lessons and/or skills you have learned?
During the internship, I gained experience working as part of a team of professionals. I also improved my skills in data analysis and R. Additionally, I’ve learned to use QGIS, a powerful tool for mapping and spatial data analysis, which has been completely new to me and has been exciting to learn.
Is there a specific accomplishment/moment from your internship you are especially proud of?
Creating a presentation for the project I was working on and presenting it to the audience at the Data Science Showcase Event is the moment I am most proud of. It was a great accomplishment for me and helped improve my presentation skills.
How has your understanding of Population Data Science changed during/following your internship?
I have deepened my understanding of how important the SAIL Databank is to the people of Wales, and how crucial it is to store data securely and extract useful information from it to improve people’s lives.
In what ways, if any, has this internship influenced your career plans?
This internship inspired me to consider a career in data analytics. Through this experience, I discovered a big interest in working with real data and gaining insights.
What advice would you give to others thinking of applying to the internship programme?
Apply! Prepare well for an interview and be confident. This internship is an incredible opportunity to learn new skills, gain experience and meet inspiring people!
If you’re interested in applying for this year’s summer internship programme, visit: https://popdatasci.swan.ac.uk/about-us/summer-internship-programme/