My Internship Experience at Citymoves by Emily Gutierrez

Meet Emily, our Summer 2025 Intern

This summer, I had the privilege of joining Citymoves as part of the University of Aberdeen’s "Interns with Impact" programme. As their Dance for Health Data Analyst Intern, I primarily focused on the Dance for Health pillar. Throughout this experience, I worked closely with Lynn Shaw, Citymoves' Dance Development Manager and Dance for Health specialist, as well as Michelle Soto, Citymoves' Marketing Executive who acted as my research supervisor.

Project Overview

My internship centred around creating a series of case studies examining participants' personal experiences with Citymoves programmes. Additionally, I developed a chapter for their impact report that compiled information from interviews and surveys, highlighting the benefits and positive impact of Citymoves' Dance for Health sector.

To truly understand the heart of these programmes, I participated in various Dance for Health classes over several weeks, including Dance for Parkinson's, Dance for Dementia, Creative Movement, and Horizons. This immersive approach allowed me to connect with participants and build meaningful relationships with them.

Learning and Development

This project introduced me to numerous new experiences and valuable learning opportunities. After participating in classes, I collaborated with Michelle and Lynn to select participants and develop interview questions.

Initially, I felt nervous about conducting interviews, but my confidence grew with practice. During a conversation with Hayley Durward, the CEO, she offered insightful advice: I shouldn't be the nervous one since I knew what I was saying and what questions to ask, I wasn't the one being put on the spot. This perspective shift was valuable. Following her advice and gaining more interview experience, I became increasingly comfortable with the process. Michelle and Lynn taught me the importance of asking the right questions, knowing when to follow up, and being an active listener to identify interesting points worth exploring further.

After completing the interviews, I transcribed and coded them, another new skill I acquired. I implemented a hybrid approach to coding, beginning with 'deductive coding' using predetermined themes and categories, followed by 'inductive coding' to identify emerging themes from the transcripts. I also utilised 'in vivo coding', incorporating direct quotes from interviewees into different categories. I applied this method to both interview transcripts and open-ended survey responses. This previously unfamiliar process became a skill I genuinely enjoyed developing and will undoubtedly use in my future studies. Breaking down complex data and identifying relevant themes and categories is an invaluable skill that I'll carry forward in my academic and professional life.

The coding process allowed me to effectively identify prevalent themes for each case study. I created case studies on Dance for Parkinson's, Dance for Dementia, Horizons, and Creative Movement. The organised coding system made it easy to select quotes and responses that aligned with specific themes, as everything was already categorised.

After completing the case studies, I focused on writing the chapter for the impact report, which concluded my internship.

Skills Gained

Throughout this internship, I developed numerous skills. My people and communication skills improved through conducting interviews, guiding participants through consent forms, explaining processes clearly, and even handling simple interactions like asking someone to be a contributor. I enhanced my data collection abilities and learned to code and organise information into digestible, manageable sections.

My writing skills also improved significantly. While I was accustomed to fact-based academic writing, this project required finding a balance when writing about Citymoves' community impact and participants' life stories, incorporating both factual information and emotional elements.

On a personal level, experiences such as interviewing, sharing ideas, developing themes for case studies, and working with guidance while maintaining creative freedom have helped me grow and gain confidence.

Highlights of My Experience

Three aspects of this internship stood out as particularly enjoyable:

• Writing about Citymoves' work and impact on participants was especially meaningful. I've always enjoyed writing, both academic and creative, and documenting the positive influence Citymoves has had was a privilege. Being part of the organisation, even temporarily, provided valuable insights and the opportunity to highlight their important work.

• Getting to know everyone, both staff members and class participants, was incredibly rewarding. Hearing participants' stories and understanding how Citymoves benefited them, not just through classes but by creating a sense of community, was a definite highlight.

• Working with the office team was a wonderful experience. They are a dedicated group with a genuine passion for their work. The energetic environment reflected their commitment, and it was evident in their discussions and teaching that they truly care about their work and the people they help. Their ambition to expand their reach and help more people was inspiring to witness.

  
  

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone at Citymoves. As my first internship, it was thoroughly enjoyable. Being part of your organisation and gaining insight into your work was truly inspiring. Thank you for helping me grow both professionally and personally.