From housing intern to deputy estate manager: My story

I began my journey with The Iveagh Trust as an intern during my third year of college. At the time, I saw the opportunity as a chance to gain valuable work experience, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t know what to expect because I didn’t know much about the housing sector.

Before joining The Iveagh Trust, I honestly hadn’t considered housing as a career, but I was very willing to learn and see where the opportunity would take me. I started my internship in January 2025 as a housing and estate intern and was welcomed by both the estate manager and head of housing. I worked very closely with them and their teams of deputy estate managers and housing officers, and over time I began to learn a lot more about the housing sector and the different processes involved.

My internship definitely changed my perspective, as I really enjoyed the experience, the responsibility I was given and seeing the impact the work has on residents.

Progressing with ideas and new areas of expertise

As I became more experienced, I was able to bring some of my own ideas and input into different areas, especially coming in as a younger person with a fresh perspective. Over time, I built a lot of trust within the team, which allowed me to take on more responsibility. One of the biggest highlights was being involved in the development of Stonemount Park and seeing it grow into what it is today. I was involved in tenant interviews, sign-ups and pre-tenancy presentations, and I saw my responsibilities grow more and more each day. A lot of that came from the trust that the head of housing, estate manager and the teams I was working with placed in me, even while I was still an intern. 

The next steps in my career

I completed my internship in September 2025 and progressed into the role of Stonemount assistant on a part-time basis while continuing my fourth year of International Business as a full-time student. Balancing my college studies with my part-time role taught me a lot about time management, while I continued to develop my knowledge and experience in housing.

As I progressed, I took on more responsibility in the management of the estate, including full responsibility for property inspections. One of the biggest things I learned was how important communication, trust and taking responsibility are, and those are things I still rely on every day in my current role.

I then got the opportunity to progress into my current role as deputy estate manager. I believe that progression was strongly down to the trust and support I received from the head of housing, estate manager and both the housing and estate teams. I finished my final exams in May and began my full-time role as deputy estate manager in June.

My role now involves managing the day-to-day running of the estate and working closely with housing officers, residents and the wider estate team. I’m involved in property inspections, following up on maintenance, dealing with different situations that come up and working with different teams to find solutions. I also take part in interviewing prospective tenants and doing tenant sign-ups, which I really enjoy as it allows me to meet people from the beginning of their journey with The Iveagh Trust. 

A varied and worthwhile career

What I enjoy most about housing is the variety of the role. No two days are really the same, and I enjoy the responsibility that comes with the role and being able to see the impact the work we do has on residents.
For students or graduates who are interested in housing but aren’t sure how to get their foot in the door, I’d say it’s important to look for opportunities like internships and work placements. They give you the chance to gain real experience, understand what the industry is actually like and learn from people already working in it. Even if you’re not sure what area of housing you want to go into, getting your foot in the door and being willing to learn can open up a lot of opportunities.

I think internships and work placements are also a great opportunity for growth, not only in your career but personally as well, as you develop your confidence, communication skills and learn how to work with different people. For me personally, the internship gave me the opportunity to discover an interest in housing that I hadn’t considered before, and I’m very grateful for the opportunities and trust that The Iveagh Trust has given me.