May 2026: WIM UK 2025 Summer Internship at Circulor, blog written by Iris Aïcha MacMillan Baker
WIMUK / Circulor Internship – Summer 2025
During my two-month internship at Circulor, a successful startup and scale-up tech company, I gained valuable insight into how supply chain traceability works in practice. It was my first corporate role and an exciting opportunity to see how an innovative company operates behind the scenes and collaborates with clients.
As a University College London MSc Earth Sciences student interested in the mining industry, I wanted to understand the downstream side of raw materials and how ethical sourcing is achieved. Working in a client facing role, I contributed to several projects for around ten different clients, including the development of the world’s first Mixed Rare Earth Oxide Digital Product Passport. I quickly learned to use Circulor’s software as a service platform and familiarised myself with its development and client onboarding processes, contributing meaningfully to its use and improvement by the end of the internship.
I strengthened my teamwork, communication, and presentation skills and developed a strong understanding of key technology concepts such as blockchain, APIs, and digital product passports. Working in a dynamic environment, especially a scale-up, taught me how to manage multiple projects and deliver high quality work efficiently.
I was very glad to work with such a supportive team in a positive and encouraging environment. Everyone created a space where I could learn while contributing to meaningful projects. My supervisors were friendly, patient, and provided excellent guidance during these early stages of my career. They also gave me the flexibility to connect with other teams and explore my interests across different areas at Circulor. I am especially grateful for the time and effort they dedicated to helping me grow as a woman in mining.
My work ethic and contributions led to a further two-month placement in the Customer Experience Team, where I helped optimize client onboarding while gaining experience in internal operations and engagement. I am grateful to Circulor, my supervisors, and Women in Mining UK for this opportunity, which has reinforced my ambition to build a career that connects Earth sciences, technology, and renewable innovation.
