Business Solutions: Taking on a Catalyst student

Running a business can be fraught with challenges, particularly for small business owners, who are often short of time and resources. Small budgets and lack of stability can make it difficult to combat a high workload by simply taking on more staff.

In this blog series, we’re exploring the alternatives available to business owners looking for a more flexible solution to permanent employment.

We interviewed Eva Poliszczuk, Catalyst Project Manager at Sussex Innovation Centre, to learn more about the Catalyst Programme, a team of University of Sussex graduates offering growing companies a flexible and risk free way to tackle their 'to-do lists'. 

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What makes Catalyst students and the format different to other interns and internships?

The unique thing about the Catalyst scheme is its flexibility, both with the people we hire and the type of work we do. Too often internships focus on one area of business and hire from a limited range of degrees. The Catalyst team employs a diverse skill set who can, therefore, take on practically any challenge. We hire based on a desire to learn and give the team a chance to try their hand at a range of industries, all the while helping them map-out their life post-Catalyst.

How does the Catalyst team work?

We take on between 10 and 12 students who start from June until September. Alongside programme manager Simon Chuter, we help manage and support our grads as they begin their client projects.

The Catalyst Team work on a flexible hourly rate and can end up working with over 30 different companies during their year, either on small ad-hoc projects or regularly as a valued member of a team. The work is totally risk-free as each team member is supported by myself and Simon. For the grads, the opportunity to work for more than one company, become a valued member of multiple teams and have a tangible impact on a new business is an amazing responsibility and experience to have straight out of uni. Often a team member will be hired full-time after their year has come to an end, which is always fantastic to see happen!

What kind of businesses most commonly apply for a Catalyst student?/ What kind of businesses do you work with?

Startups or SME’s, many of which are members of SINC. While the Catalyst Team is a brilliant scheme for students, it was initially born out of the needs of businesses. Making a full-time hire is a commitment, especially at the start of an entrepreneurial journey. SINC identified a real need for a flexible and reliable resource at a competitive rate.

Internships can offer this, but these are usually short-lived; once the intern has fully grasped their work and your business, it’s time for them to leave. A company can have a catalyst team member for a year. Then, when that person leaves the scheme, we can find someone else to provide support.

How do you match your team with businesses?

The sort of projects each person works on can vary. Our Catalyst Team have taken on many roles  over the years; content managers, content writers, social media assistants, salespeople, event organisers, market researchers, PR assistants and many more. It is very rare that we turn down a project!

With the variety of roles we receive, we try to match up our team mates to the business. Also, if someone in our team has a value or interest in a topic or industry, then we try to cater to that aswell.

What’s coming up for Catalyst?

We have recently said goodbye to some of Team 5, and as of the 12^th June, Team 6 start! We have an even more diverse range of students this year than we did last year, from a Music graduate to a Chemistry grad. Simon and I are looking forward to welcoming the new team and discovering what talents they must bring to our members and other business in the coast to capital region.

To find out more about the Catalyst Programme, visit http://www.catalyst.sinc.co.uk/. 

Check out our blog on taking on an international student as an intern. 

Thanks to Eva for writing this blog. 

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk