Category Archives: Advertising, Marketing and PR

Student Case Study: Social Media Coordinator and Analyser

Name of Student:  Millie Graves 

Degree Subject: BSc Management with Marketing WIE 

Job Title: Social Media Coordinator and Analyser 

Company Name:  The Nest Southwest CIC 

Description of Organisation:  

The Nest Southwest is a not-for-profit, social enterprise, community interest company. It was set up in Devon by local women to support other women and girls through the major life transitions of menstruation, pregnancy, birth and menopause by providing social, emotional and informational support. 

They hold peer support groups,  run workshops, courses  and hold training sessions. They also hire out birth equipment and books. 

Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

I was responsible for managing The Nest’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) as well as creating an online shop to help generate some revenue for The Nest, and creating downloadable products to be sold on that shop. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

My biggest achievement during my internship was creating an online shop from scratch, alongside creating downloadable products to be sold on the shop. 

Skills Learnt:  

  • Time and work load management 
  • Organisation 
  • Communication  

Attributes Developed: 

  • Confidence 
  • Independence 
  • Motivation 

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

“My internship with The Nest Southwest CIC enabled me to greatly develop my social media management skills, requiring me to plan content, create that content using Canva, and then schedule it using Meta Business Suite. Having had this experience, I now feel much more confident in applying to similar roles. “

Student Case Study: Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC)

Name of Student:  Elizabeth Trunceite 

Degree Subject: LLB Law with European Study 

Job Title: Membership and Marketing Manager 

Company Name:  Saudi British Joint Business Council (SBJBC) 

Description of Organization:  

SBJBC UK is a not-for-profit membership association which works closely with the Department for International Trade and British and Saudi Chambers of Commerce to strengthen business relations between the UK and Saudi Arabia, introduce new companies to the market and support those already on the ground. 

 Type of Internship:   

 Student Business Partnerships (SBPs)   

 What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship? 

Mostly my key duties were events management, marketing initiatives, receptionist duties as well as interacting with clients in promoting the company and gathering new members. I was also involved in securing sponsorships, as well as organizing logistics for sector focused events. 

What was your biggest achievement on your internship? 

The biggest personal achievement for me was building a professional rapport and greater confidence in my own abilities. Also, the many projects and opportunities which I was able to get involved in that provided for a variable experience! 

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?  

Working to close deadlines was a challenge which I faced but this was overcome with good teamwork. 

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure 
  • Organization 
  • Communication 
  • Teamwork and collaboration 
  • Customer service 

 Attributes Developed: 

  • Logical thinking 
  • Creative thinking 
  • Independence 
  • Work Ethic 
  • Professionalism 

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

“It was a lovely experience with a great team and an inclusive working environment. I worked there for nearly 5 months, and it was a great hands-on internship that taught me so much.” 

Employer Case Study- University of Exeter Environment and Climate Emergency Team

“Professional Pathways is a great way of getting a student’s perspective and some fresh ideas to help with research”

Line Manager: Victoria Patch

Job Title: Communication and Engagement Lead

How did hosting an intern via the Professional Pathways programme benefit you and your organisation?

I joined the University in May this year- and one of the priorities was (and still is) writing a Communication and Engagement Strategy for the Environment and Climate Emergency team. This is a huge task, as first of all I had to get my head round how the University works, the organisational structure and the processes. Having students assisting was amazing as they could help in one key area – communication and engagement with students. They gave me an insight into the student journey, from before they start through to the final year, and suggested key times when we should be thinking of including the sustainability message as part of the regular communication that goes out, e.g., the prospectus. They also suggested the best method of contacting students – OK – I knew social media was one of the main channels but it hadn’t occurred to me to send information to tutors to forward to students… apparently one email they are guaranteed to read. They analysed our current website, gave feedback (strengths and weaknesses) and researched public engagement with climate change – and both reports will feed into the strategy.

How was your experience of hosting a Pathways intern?

The interns worked partly in the office and partly independently. They got on well, so some days when not in the office they worked together, so could compare notes. I wrote a brief before they started, with four areas I wanted help with and asked them to choose two – that way they could choose which interested them the most. I talked to them both again before they started to discuss what work arrangements suited them best (hours, from home or in the office etc). They were invited to a team meeting the week before the internship on Teams -one of them came along and introduced herself to the team. If they had any queries, I asked them to contact me on Teams. I had a couple of catch ups with them during the week, but they were relatively independent and got on with the work. I looked at draft reports towards the end of the week and suggested amendments or further research. From my perspective it went well, and they both seemed happy.

Student Case Study: NHST

Name of Student:  Nathan Boyle

Degree Subject:  Business and Management

Job Title: Sales intern

Company Name:  NHST

Type of Internship: Student Business Partnerships (SBPs) | Career Zone | University of Exeter

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

My 10 weeks mostly involved client outreach with the goal of generating subscription leads. Alongside this, I was able to work with the editorial department and carry out multiple research tasks.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

Hitting £25,000 worth of lead generation

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?

Initially, making calls felt uncomfortable and hearing no was unpleasant but over time, you adapt to the business setting. Hearing people tell you no is vitally important in career growth.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Networking

Attributes Developed:

  • Independence
  • Work Ethic
  • Professionalism

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

Over my short tenure with NHST, I felt I have gained confidence in client based scenarios and I am now certain I am able to carry myself properly in a business environment. I would urge any student to undertake an internship even if it isn’t in the field you ultimately wish to go into.

Employer Case Study: Commercial Marketing Team, University of Exeter

Name of Organisation: Commercial Marketing Team, University of Exeter

Name of Employer: Kate Durward-Akhurst

Job Title: Marketing Manager

Internship Scheme used: Student Campus Partnership (SCP) | Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter

Feedback:

“The insights provided by the student were invaluable, proving a students point of view on areas pertinent to the work we are trying to do. Her ability to quickly analyse and sort information, particularly market research or website and communication tools has been impressive. She has needed very little assistance and once given a task has been able to run with it, developing the work and delivering on time.

Our intern’s inputs and point of view as a current student that are extremely helpful- being able to see things through her eyes and understand how we can improve our communications with student because of that.

Excellent internship! Invaluable, incredibly eye-opening and most definitely worthwhile.”

 

Employer Case Study: Female Dignity

Name of Organisation: Female Dignity

Description of Organisation: Female Dignity’s vision and mission is to provide machinery to convert raw materials in the respective developing country to convert into sanitary pads using specialist machinery.

Name of Employer: Amanda Alexander

Job Title: Founder & Managing Director

Internship Scheme used: Student Campus Partnership (SCP) | Employer Engagement & Student Employment | University of Exeter

Feedback:

“The student we took on was a dream intern who understood and fulfilled her tasks on time and with excellence. Her pleasant demeanor and pro-activeness was great, she’s welcomed back to Female Dignity anytime. She created and took full responsibility for the e-commerce platform for Female Dignity’s website. It was truly a pleasure working with the SCP. I’ve offered her the opportunity to intern with us during her holidays.”

Employer Case Study: RJ Working CIO

Name of Organisation: RJ Working CIO – a charity for children and young people

Name of Employer: Deborah Mitchell

Job Title: CEO

Internship Scheme used: Access to Internships (A2I) 

Feedback:                        

“Katelyn joined us as an intern specialising in PR and communications. Our organisation is very dynamic and fast-moving and she has found her place in that and made a lot of contributions joining things up. She has been critical to the launch and development of our website, our twitter developing use of Twitter and our events management. In July Katelyn was central for 2 events – co-ordinating our Tenth Birthday Party celebration, hosted at Trebah Garden, and a Together For Justice event for young people in which she played a leading role. Katelyn has also been central to our Climate Action Group, helping to co-ordinate, noting meetings,

Katelyn’s teamwork and leadership of our Together for Justice conference /event in July was a huge achievement. Also contributing proactively to our organisational culture, in ways that are very important at a time of growth. She understands the nuances and is a skilled communicator and has a strong understanding of both task and process.

Katelyn has been exposed to the hectic nature of a small organisation at a time of growth and development, and the non-linear nature of our offer to a segmented market. She has embraced all the learning opportunities on offer and has shown her capability of developing her skills set in response to a variety of challenges, We have seen her grow in confidence and initiative and take on increasing responsibilities within the team.”

Employer Case Study: The Flow Partnership

Name of Organisation: The Flow Partnership

Name of Employer: Minni Jain

Job Title: Director

Internship Scheme used:  Access to Internships (A2I) 

Feedback:

“Our intern helped with creatin of various fund raising material for the organisation including setting up an Instagram page. He created clear well thought out Fund Raising communication.

The scheme was very good. Bright student who worked diligently with our organisational requirement for clear communication.”

Employer Case Study: University of Exeter

Name of Organisation: University of Exeter

Name of Employer: Louise Vennells

Job Title: Senior Press and Media Manager

Internship Scheme used: Graduate Business Partnership (GBP) , 

Feedback:

“Our intern hit the ground running through helping to close a feedback loop of improvements that had been made as a result of student feedback, and celebrating student successes stories via our website and social media. She also placed a number of stories in the media successfully. They made a big impact in increasing the visibility of students on our @exetermed social media channels.

The student was a very capable, competent intern. She brought a range of skills to the role and was such a highly valued colleague that she was quickly promoted within the team, ending the internship.”

Student Case Study: Communications Assistant – UofE

Name of Student:  Ayooluwatomi Adesina

Degree Subject:  MA Creative Writing

Job Title: GBP 5836 Communications Assistant

Company Name:  University of Exeter

Type of Internship:  Graduate Business Partnership (GBP)

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

During my internship, I worked within the University’s Press Office, with a specific focus on celebrating student achievement within the medical school.

In this time, I created a range of visual content for social media channels and campus screens to communicate with the students.

I was also responsible for writing newsletters and reviewing press-releases. I also monitored social media channels and worked with the team to develop strategies to increase brand awareness.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

I think my biggest achievement was moving from an intern to a full time staff within two-three months of being in the role. Thanks to a supportive team, I had learned the ropes pretty quickly and made a decent impression within the team. I was also trained on preparing for interviews which I used in my day-to-day role conversing with students to share their achievements, and academics in publicising research. This built tremendous confidence and articulation which was useful when I interviewed for my new role and I was given the job.

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?

My first challenge was learning how to write “corporately”. As a creative writer, I had a lot of flexibility in my writing style, but corporate writing has a different structure to it. I later learnt how to adapt my creativity to this structure so I could churn out news stories with more panache. My line manager was very patient with me and ensured that I got the hang of it, whilst not losing my flair. I’m pleased to have grown in that task as I’ve added an extra layer of skill in my current role.

Skills Learnt: 

  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Organisation
  • Leadership
  • Strategic Planning

Attributes Developed:

  • Logical thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Independence
  • Work Ethic
  • Professionalism

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

I’d say summarise my experience as “From Intern to Full staff”. This is my second time an intern with the University. The first was an SCP role when I was a Masters’ student in 2020 and I’m grateful for opportunities like this to grow and expand my skills.