Category Archives: English

Heritage Innovation Website Content Developer – University of Exeter Culture Team

English, Pathways to Arts, Culture and Heritage (PACH)

“My internship experience with the Culture Team taught me some invaluable collaborative, management, and creative skills, and I would, therefore, strongly encourage students to participate in the Pathways internship scheme”

Name: Kate Debling

Degree Programme: BA (Hons) English

Year of Study: 3rd Year

Pathway Programme Completed: Pathways to Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Internship Role/Job Title: Heritage Innovation Communications Assistant

Internship Employer: University of Exeter Culture Team

During the summer of 2020, I undertook an internship with the University of Exeter Culture Team as part of the Pathways internship programme. As a digital content creator for the Exeter Heritage website, I created news and blog content pertaining to heritage-based academic research and projects led in the South West. Upon returning to Exeter for my final year of study in September, I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to extend my work within the team as a heritage innovation communications assistant.

The University of Exeter Culture Team seeks to protect heritage through continuous academic research and projects, led by both the University of Exeter and Heritage Exeter’s partners. Throughout my pathways internship, there was a strong focus on building connections between the university and external heritage bodies, as well as the collaboration between university campuses. In the continuation of this internship work, I have been able to be more involved in projects and partnerships between organisations that I had covered initially in the summer of 2020. In becoming more acquainted with heritage partners and academics, I was able to research projects more deeply and write more compelling pieces.

Alongside working on the university’s heritage research, partnerships and projects, being part of the culture team has connected me to a variety of individuals within the university. These connections have led to great opportunities for collaborative work, specifically through the blog aspect of the university’s heritage website. The blog, which introduced me to a new form of writing, has been a space for showcasing and recording a range of conversations with members of Exeter’s heritage and culture departments, its students and external individuals who work in the university’s overarching heritage practice. These opportunities have improved my knowledge of, and work within, the heritage network.

Having developed digital skills during my initial Pathways internship, remote working this year has been much easier. The flexibility of remote working also enabled me to keep on top of my studies alongside my work. Both of my internship experiences have taught me some invaluable collaborative, management, and creative skills, and I would, therefore, strongly encourage students to participate in the Pathways scheme and other internship opportunities offered at the University of Exeter.

Marketing Development Assistant – Powderham Live!

English, Pathways to Arts, Culture and Heritage (PACH)

 

“At a time when the Arts, Culture, and Heritage sector is facing unprecedented challenges, it felt amazing to work on a project that I know will bring so much joy to so many people, and that will help keep the magic of the arts alive!”

Name: Holly Van Ryssen

Degree Programme: English

Year of Study (at the time of completing internship): 2nd Year

Pathway Programme Completed: Pathways to Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Internship Role/Job Title: Marketing Development Assistant

Internship Employer: Powderham Live!

When I tell people that I study English at the University of Exeter, I’m always met with the following response: “Ah, so you want to be a teacher then?”. Certainly, I’d be lying if I said that teaching wasn’t a profession that I’ve considered. However, I’ve always believed that the beauty of an English degree is that it enables you to study a subject you love while at the same time leaving your options open to explore several different career paths. Perfect for someone who can’t make decisions!

Going into my second year, nearly halfway through my time at university, I suddenly became acutely aware that I had no idea what I wanted to do at the end of my studies. I was keen to start exploring the options I had available to me and, was hoping to be able to use the summer before my final year to gain some invaluable work experience. When I heard about Professional Pathways, a careers scheme run by the University of Exeter providing sector-specific training and week-long paid internships, I knew that I had to apply.

Then, of course, Covid-19 hit. We were all sent home, the Pathways assessment centre was cancelled, and it seemed as though the prospect of a paid summer internship was firmly off the cards…

When I received an email from the Pathways team informing all applicants that they were working on securing some remote internships, I was shocked! While I felt terrified at the prospect of applying for and completing an internship entirely online, I knew that it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down and that would provide me with invaluable experience moving forward into the future. Numerous cover letters, and a couple of video interviews later, I’d secured an internship as a Marketing Assistant at Powderham Live!. I couldn’t wait to get stuck in!

During my internship at Powderham Live!, I worked on many different projects, all of which aimed to find new ways to promote not only the event itself but also the young musicians and their huge network of supporters. In particular, I enjoyed creating a set of brand guidelines that will now be used to inform all content published by Powderham Live!, both in print and online. Not only this, but I enjoyed working on a new social media strategy; in recent weeks, it has been really rewarding to see many of the campaigns I planned featured on the Powderham Live! social media pages.

Having had little experience in marketing, I was worried before starting my internship that I wouldn’t know what to do! At first, both Emily (fellow intern and University of Exeter student) and I felt hugely daunted at the prospect of creating a professional document that accurately represented the values and ethos of Powderham Live!. However, both Derry (Heritage Manager at Powderham Castle) and AJ (Countess of Devon and founder of Powderham Live!) were extremely supportive, clearly explaining what they wanted while at the same time allowing us to indulge in our own ideas and creative spirit. We were even invited to whole team meetings where we were able to share what we had been working on and give feedback to the other team members!

During the Covid-19 pandemic, I found it extremely rewarding to work on a project with a clear social purpose. I know that the work I carried out during my internship will not only help the team behind the scenes at Powderham Live!, but will have a huge impact on the experience of young musicians in Devon. Indeed, at a time when the Arts, Culture and Heritage sector is facing unprecedented challenges, it felt amazing to work on a project that I know will bring so much joy to so many people, and that will help keep the magic of the arts alive!

Without a doubt, the experience I’ve had working remotely at Powderham Live! will set me in good stead when entering the job market during these difficult times. Thanks to the Pathways scheme, I’ve now had practice applying for, beginning, and completing an internship entirely remotely, an experience that I know will be invaluable moving forward into the future! In particular, I’ve been able to improve my video-based interview technique, as well as develop my ability to work from home productively, skills which will help me both when completing my third year of university online, and also when applying for jobs.

When I received the email from the Professional Pathways team back in May informing us of some remote internship opportunities, I very nearly didn’t apply… However, I’m so glad that I did! While I’m still not sure what I want to do post-university, I now feel more confident about the prospect of graduating in the middle of a global pandemic! Pathways 2020 has taught me many things, most importantly, how to be adaptable and open-minded in the face of adversity. However, best of all, it has given me an answer to that dreaded question: “What did you do over lockdown?”.

Student Case Study – OverAir 

Access to Internships (A2I), Degree subject, English, Information Technology, Internship Schemes, Sector, , , , ,

Name of Student:  Brittany Willis

Degree Subject: BA English

Type of Internship: Access to Internships (A2I)

Company Name: OverAir

Job Title: Marketing Co-ordinator

Description Of Company: OverAir works exclusively with Apple products, we are also certified Mac Technicians, meaning we use Apple diagnostics and Apple parts where needed. We specialise in helping businesses, schools, and individuals with all things technical, including; troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and general advice. With Apple certified experience across the entire product range, you’re in the safest of hands.

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

I was first in charge of building their social media presence, mainly on Facebook and Instagram, as well as designing and organising the company van to get wrapped. Recently, I have helped to organise and promote their first giveaway and going forward, I am designing and organising new signage for their new offices, as well as maintaining their social media presence.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

I produced a social media campaign that focused on their giveaway. This gave me further insight into using social media for a business. I also designed their van wrapping, being introduced to new design platforms.  

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

I organised the giveaway of a new iPad. This involved promoting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, working with a budget in order to maximise social media campaigns as well as organising, copy-writing and sending out their first email to their customer list of over 900 people. This resulted in over 400 entries to the giveaway and over 5 thousand engagements on Facebook.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

My first initial task was to design and organise the van sticker and wrapping. This involved visiting a business partner of his in Torquay, who is a designer. While we ended up with a great design, I found it challenging working with the company who were to translate our design onto the van. Eventually, I researched other companies and I am currently working with a different person to translate my design onto the van. I have already received more and better communication with this company.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Decision Making
  • Researching
  • Time and Work Load Management

Attributes Developed:

  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Professionalism
  • Confidence
  • Motivation

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector?

“My internship gave me insight into a small, independent business. The manager worked closely with me, giving me insight and opportunities to learn about his business, social media marketing and I even visited a designer in Torquay to learn about new design tools. The internship was very relaxed and flexible and I am happy to say it has been extended for another term.”

Student Case Study – True Story

Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Degree subject, English, Management and Consultancy, Retail, ,

Name of Student:  Emma Fear

Degree Subject:  BA English

Job Title:  Christmas Account Manager

Company Name:  True Story

Type of Internship:  Santander SME

Description of Company: As an independent creative agency, we’re used to working with brands and retailers across all channels, both in the UK and globally. Our concepts translate into real-world experiences for customers that deliver measurable commercial results. 

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

I was on a team that was the liaison point between a large team of designers and the Boots UK in store marketing Christmas team. I had to ensure briefs were communicated effectively and deadlines were met for delivering completed artwork files to the client.   

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer? 

I produced weekly market research reports for Boots which allowed other account managers more time to manage larger projects and also gave Boots an insight into their competitors. I also ensured that artwork files were delivered in a timely manner so that print deadlines were hit. This meant being aware of the designers workloads and timeframes and doing everything in my power to support them to reach the deadlines we set.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

Boots asked true story to produce prototype artwork of in store marketing materials that were not yet fully completed in the creative stage for use in a mock-up show room. I project managed this whole product, which meant delivering over 200 pieces of prototype artwork to a really tight deadline. To do this, I ensured I provided daily updates to the client, the designers and the rest of my team so we were all aware of how much work was left to do. I also made sure that things went as smoothly as possible by remaining in constant communication with the client so feedback could be delivered and auctioned promptly. We ended up meeting the deadline and all material was in the showroom on time for the senior members of the Boots team to see it.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges? 

There were large issues on a piece of work I was covering for somebody who was on holiday. As I was the only one in the office, I had to ensure that the client knew the limitations of the situation and the problems we had. This was incredibly difficult as it was not a client I had built up previous rapport with and this was my first dealings with them. I overcame these challenges by remaining calm and honest with the client and helping them to understand how the situation had occurred. I also contacted my line manager and alerted her to the problem so that if it escalated further she would know the situation clearly enough to have an input. This move proved invaluable when she was later called up and asked to make an important decision regarding this project.

Skills Learnt:

  • Problem solving
  • Negotiation
  • Persuasion
  • Leadership
  • Customer Service

Attributes Developed:

  • Confidence
  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Motivation

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector? 

“My internship was enormously useful to me both personally and professionally. It has given me the confidence and experience to pursue a graduate position in a large company and taught me so much about having a full-time job.”

 

Student Case Study:  The Eden Project

Access to Internships (A2I), Charity and Development Work, Education, Education, Teaching and Research, English, Geography, History, Internship Schemes, Science, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , , , , ,

Name of Student:  Max Parkin

Degree Subject: BA History – Cornwall

Job Title:  Research Writer Intern

Company Name:  The Eden Project

Type of Internship:  Access to Internships (A2I), Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)

Description of Company: The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. Our visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

To research specific briefed environmental/social/sustainable topics for the Eden Project as directed by the Director of Interpretation. To write, summarise and authenticate research documents and storylines with references. And/or to write final copy across a range of media using Eden’s house style and brand guidelines.

Key accountabilities (depending on area the student wishes to gain experience in):
1. To research specific briefed topics using literature searches and by communicating with organisations and experts in the field, working to set deadlines.
2. To write master files (as laid out in the Eden guidelines) on specific briefed topics with full list of references.
3. To write compelling storylines, narrative and content briefs to enable interpretation of specific subjects across a wide range of media.
4. To write final copy for specific exhibits, events, digital and web content and publications using Eden’s house style and brand guidelines.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

The main task for the interpretation department at that time was Eden’s summer content – Earth Story. I was asked to research in detail Megafaunal extinction during the end of the last Ice Age and the potential human involvement. The end result was a detailed document which was then used to help the graphics team produce an extinction timeline which can now be seen in the Earth Story exhibit at Eden.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

I was given a topic I had 0 previous knowledge of – Megafauna. I was asked to produce a detailed research document and became an ‘expert’. My research was verified by Natural History Museum Professor, Adrian Lister and played an instrumental role in producing content which is now displayed in one of Britain’s top visitor attractions. 

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

Initially, it was difficult to get to grips with my task, my progress was slow to start – I made sure to communicate well with Sarah, my boss, and ask lots of questions when I became lost.

Skills Learnt 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Communication
  • Team Work and Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Time and Work Load Management

Attributes Developed 

  • Confidence
  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Motivation
  • Personal Awareness

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector?

“Working with the Eden Project for my internship was highly rewarding, exciting and eye opening. I became an ‘expert’ in a topic I’d never even heard of before, I met some great people and a future career path.”

Student Case Study: Mayes Creative    

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, English, Internship Schemes, , , , ,

Name of Student:  Evangelia Kappos

Degree Subject: BA English 

Job Title: Marketing Intern

Company Name: Mayes Creative

Type of Internship: Access to Internships (A2I)

Description of Company: Mayes Creative engages the communities of Cornwall, Isles of Scilly and beyond in creative experiences to explore their world through heritage, science, technology and the environment. We want to discover new ways of thinking and doing that are fun and surprising, encouraging inspiration and broadening horizons.

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

My key duties and responsibilities during my internship were the social media management of the company as well as, marketing and press releases.

What outputs and outcomes did you deliver for your employer?

The key output I delivered to my employer was a social media campaign.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

I successfully marketed a project from the initial campaign idea to completion of a website page, content, and hashtag, which then resulted in the aimed for participation. This included schools in Cornwall getting involved and completing the challenge by sending the project origami suns to care homes, to spread community and joy.

What did not go so well on your internship? How did you overcome any challenges?

My hashtag definitely could have taken off more with other people within the community and I believe this could have been helped by creating press releases for radio and local press, and encouraging relatives and family to take part. I began to do this but unfortunately ran out of time!

Skills Learnt 

  • Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Negotiation
  • Leadership
  • Persuasion

Attributes Developed 

  • Confidence
  • Initiative
  • Perseverance
  • Motivation

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector?

“This internship empowered me to consider myself an asset to a workplace, and to enter the job market after university with confidence and self-assurance. It also underlined to me in helpful ways where I can grow and develop as a result of the mentorship I received and through working with my fellow students.”

 

International E-Marketing – Cinderhill Farm

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Animal Care, Business and Management, English

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

My main responsibility was to research the potential market in the Netherlands. I had to research different routes to market as well as who the consumer would be, if there would be a demand for this kind of product and any potential competitors.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

As the internship was taken remotely, working independently for 8 hours a day was something I struggled with but ultimately managed to achieve.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I believe I provided my employer with a solid foundation to explore the Netherlands as an export opportunity.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Organisation, time and workload management, strategic planning

Programme Assistant – Orchestras for All

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, English

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

Throughout my internship, I undertook many roles the main one being social media updates and reports through two summer course days. The first day, I undertook admin roles to organise music and surveys for the course. The second and third days I undertook numerous roles, mainly social media updates as the summer courses took place these days but also welcoming guests, staying on top of the schedule and dealing with the individual needs of the children. Lastly, I wrote a social media report for the 2017/18 financial year and analysed data from various sites to compile this. Furthermore, I updated the company’s social media policy and completed various admin tasks.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

I learnt lots of vocabulary that charities use to determine funding and marketing which made me a lot more aware of the industry.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

Mainly, I brought an extra pair of hands that was able to complete tasks the staff did not have time to do which meant their workload was lightened and could focus on integral tasks.

 What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Negotiation, assessing and managing risk, degree specific – writing coherent reports

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Motivation, personal awareness, creative thinking

Publishing Intern – Impress Books

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Classics and Ancient History, English, Libraries and Heritage, Philosophy

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

During my month as an intern at Impress Books I was mainly in charge of the Impress Prize, this meant that I had to check that the applications and payments were properly received as well as read through the manuscripts to evaluate them in order to choose a winner. I also took care of the company’s social media, organises a book giveaway and blog tour as well as the amazon orders. I helped with the interior design of a to-be-published book.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

I have gained the confidence to evaluate manuscripts in Prize submissions.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I have considerably lightened the workload of my superior by taking care of the Impress Prize, Amazon orders and social media.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Communication, problem solving, leadership

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, creative thinking, professionalism

Student Researcher – Training Tutors to Teach Distributed and Emergent Forms of Leadership – University of Exeter

Administration, Business and Management, Education, Education, Teaching and Research, English, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training, Student Campus Partnership (SCP)

What were your main roles and responsibilities during the course of your internship?

  • Conducted literature searches using agreed key words and search strategies.
  • Contributed to a review of the literature on group work and leadership of student groups in higher education.
  • Designed survey instruments.
  • Field work conducting interviews with a wide range of students and some members of staff using surveys.
  • Contributed to writing a report on the review of literature and analysis of group work data from questionnaires and focus groups.

What would you say was your biggest achievement over the course of your internship?

Managing the internship successfully whilst also maintaining focus on my studies.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

Started and completed work and tasks that my line manager does not always have time for in his work day. He now has a basis to continue from.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Problem solving, time and workload management, research

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, independence, professionalism