Category Archives: Advertising, Marketing and PR

Twenti Ltd – Employer Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Charity and Development Work, Employer Feedback, Internship Schemes, ,

Name of Organisation:  Twenti Ltd – twenti.com

Description of Organisation: We use digital marketing and the Google Ad Grants to help charities get found online, engage more supporters and receive more funding to achieve their mission. With sustainability at our core and by helping charities and non-profit organisations reach those in need we hope to make the world a better place.

Name of Employer:  Luke Barratt

Job Title: Chief Executive Officer

Internship Scheme used:  A2I

Employer subsidies (A2I) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

We recruited an intern to work as a Content Creator for us through the Internship Scheme with the University of Exeter.

Our intern was involved on client projects which received extremely positive feedback and led to repeat business which was fantastic.

The student was very well prepared for the workplace and was an extremely welcome addition to the content creation team. She provided great value on both a strategic and operational level for the company and our clients. Her ability to work independently and learn quickly on the job was instrumental in helping us reach our targets and refine our social media strategy.

I recommend her and the A2I scheme 120% to other employers in the digital marketing industry. The whole experience was very positive and our intern was very beneficial to us as a company and as a team.

Quote from Intern:

“I brainstormed and planned campaigns with team members as well as found a good software to use to implement this, which was then adopted by the rest of the team.”

 

 

School of Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall- Employer Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Employer Feedback, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

 

Name of Organisation: School of Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall

Description of Organisation: School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall was established as a Community Interest Company (CIC) eleven years ago. Supporting people to develop their personal and professional skills simultaneously; we design and deliver programmes and courses that equip people to start, scale and strengthen organisations that make a positive difference; mobilising the experience of people from all backgrounds and support them to use entrepreneurial approaches to create lasting social and environmental change. Through this work our ambition is to create a fair and equal society where the potential of all people is fully realised.

Name of Employer: Sally Heard

Job Title: SSE Director

Internship Scheme used:   A2I, SBP

Employer subsidies (A2I) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Student Business Partnership (SBP) – Employment Services – University of Exeter

Feedback:

What role did your intern undertake?

Each year we hold a prestigious Graduation ceremony.  We applied for a Marketing Intern over the summer. The primary aim of the role was to work alongside the SSE team to design a Graduation booklet showcasing each of our students graduating from our Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Trade Up programme.

The primary focus of the role was to work with the students to create a page each within the booklet to showcase their social enterprises. The outcome required of the internship was to create a digital version of the booklet incorporating social media links and profile pictures. We also required a version that could be used in printed format as required. Alongside this key task, our intern was welcomed (and rose brilliantly) to the challenge of being involved other activities including team meetings and occasionally joining programme delivery days.

Was your intern ready for the workplace?

Our intern was exceptional, she joined us pre to starting her internship so we could introduce her to our students that she would be working with.  She then successfully built a good working relationship with each of the students who took part in the Lloyds’ programme.

She was extremely personable from the beginning, and was able to communicate effectively her role, what she needed to achieve and what the timescales were. She was really excited about the project and this came across in every aspect of her work. The intern’s communication skills and personal attributes were so valuable to us.

Communication was such an important aspect of the project, and one of the most difficult things about it. The intern created a good bond with the students and was successful as a result of this. She also had to build trust in a very short space of time with a well-established cohort of social enterprises and she was able to do this quickly and effectively. She had a lovely, sunny personality, which was backed up with great skill, making her really easy to work with.

Did the intern achieve their objectives?

The project was completed brilliantly. It was a time constrained piece of work and the intern was working in extraordinary times. She was unable to meet with any of the students in person. She worked with portrait pictures for each student case study and one of her tasks was to consider how these portraits could be displayed in a more innovative and creative way. She came up with the idea of using a selection of different pictures to create a new image which combined all the elements. This was achieved through the use of the CANVA design software, which was used to collate and produce the booklet.

Our interns gain an experience of working in a social enterprise and what this means, as well as what makes them who they are. And in return, they bring a high level of skill into the organisation.

Was the internship beneficial to your company?

Without access to this funded internship, we would probably have had to outsource this piece of work. Although we have the skills present within the team, we did not have the capacity to dedicate to this piece of work. As a result, this project has been of real value to the organisation.

The delivery of the student internship with the University of Exeter was an extremely positive experience. We felt that we were fully supported through the whole process by Jo (in the Career Zone) and her team. It was a very beneficial placement and the internship provided real pleasure to everyone involved, as well has having been of benefit as a skills exchange.

Quote from the Intern:

“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SSE Cornwall and believe that it has made me a more well-rounded and adaptable employee. I have truly learnt the meaning of “making the best of a bad situation”, as I have seen first-hand how small business owners have had to adjust and triumph in the face of adversity (Covid19). Moreover, SSE themselves – and the fantastic team – had to move all their teaching and resources online and have remained just as successful and engaging as ever, even introducing a new Women’s Enterprise programme despite the pandemic.”

School for Social Entrepreneurs Cornwall- Student Case Study

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Student Business Partnership (SBP), , ,

Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs Internship

Understandably, many of us only have negative connotations of 2020. It has become the year of devastation, cancellations, and unprecedented times. However, what could have been the most depressing summer of my life turned into a time filled with new experiences as a result of my internship with the Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs.

Tell us about yourself. 

I was an English student in my third and final year at the University of Exeter, and I was overwhelmed by the breadth and scale of potential jobs available to me. Whilst teaching, writing, and publishing are the obvious outcomes for an English graduate, I knew that there were other organisations and sectors in which my skillset could prove useful. Moreover, I hope to stay in the South West, so it was vital for me to find out what kind of jobs were available in the Devon and Cornwall area. I found the Career Zone to be incredibly useful as there were more jobs of interest to me than I could have imagined; just knowing that creative organisations existed in the South West was enough for me and it gave me hope that I would find a career.

What did your Internship consist of?

I decided that the best way to get a sense of some of this work going on in Cornwall would be through an internship. Hence, my application for a marketing internship at SSE Cornwall. The 6-week internship (later extended to 7 weeks) began in June, just after I had finished my degree. It could not have been timed more perfectly as I was ready for something new. Initially a role based around the creation of the booklet needed for an upcoming SSE student graduation ceremony, the position quickly developed, and I found myself undertaking other administrative responsibilities. I had to deal with a range of people running a variety of fantastic organisations on a day-to-day basis; I put together newsletters and spreadsheets; and I joined in on a few classes (via zoom!) so that I could get a sense of the work that goes on at SSE.

It was truly inspiring to speak to the current cohort and learn about how their ideas had grown into fully fledged enterprises with a social purpose and meaning. It made me proud and excited to live in Cornwall and introduced me to a wonderful sector – and community – that I otherwise would not have encountered.

After the chaos and uncertainty of this year, it was important that we highlighted the adaptations and changes that these people – and their businesses – had undergone; we included statements from each student in the booklet about how the pandemic had affected their enterprise and I went on to write a blog that captured some of these businesses and the hardships they had faced. It was a very proud moment to see my writing on the SSE website and made me really feel as though I had become part of the team.

Did you enjoy your internship, what did you learn?

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at SSE Cornwall and believe that it has made me a more well-rounded and adaptable employee. I have truly learnt the meaning of “making the best of a bad situation”, as I have seen first-hand how small business owners have had to adjust and triumph in the face of adversity. Moreover, SSE themselves – and the fantastic team – had to move all their teaching and resources online and have remained just as successful and engaging as ever, even introducing a new Women’s Enterprise programme despite the pandemic.

I learnt how to engage with a range of people (remotely of course!); I listened to emotive stories with empathy and discussed vulnerable topics with understanding; I thought creatively in a time of crisis; and – perhaps most importantly – I had to discipline myself and generate a home-work routine that was efficient and successful. I am confident that all the skills above will contribute to making my job search that bit easier in the future.

Would you recommend doing an internship, and why?

I cannot recommend doing an internship enough. It gave me fantastic insight that I just would not have been able to experience otherwise, and it taught me that the most sufficient means of learning is through doing, meeting people, and thinking creatively. Internships are ideal as you can work with a deadline in mind. Whether you discover that you hate the industry and want to move on to something else, or you find that you have found the job for you and thus know how long you have to make the most of the opportunity, 4-6 week internships are a fantastic investment of your time and energy. You can build a network of contacts and make connections that can lead to future employment. Moreover, you will stand out to employers as you have gone the extra mile to learn about the various employment options available to you.

Make It Marketing – Marketing and Events Assistant

Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Hospitality and Event Management, Student Business Partnership (SBP)

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

I was involved with event planning and organising, for example I was given the task to find sponsors for the fashion show we were organising. I also assisted at some event on site, ensuring that the guests are having a great time and that the event runs smoothly. For example, my task was to make sure models are wearing the right outfit and that all guests received their gifts. I was also involved with social media, designing and copywriting social media posts were also among my daily tasks.

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

I assisted to many successful event and I took a big part in keeping our guests satisfied at the events we organised.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I believe I helped Make It Marketing with my design skills when I was working on social media posts. Besides, I also tried my best to keep our guests satisfied, which clearly has a direct positive effect on the company.

Volunteer Opportunities Officer – Wheal Martyn

Access to Internships (A2I), Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Archaeology and Anthropology, Art History and Visual Culture, Charity and Development Work, Classics and Ancient History, History, Libraries and Heritage

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

My role for the week was to create four volunteer role profiles. In order to do this I had to speak to people including: the Museum Manager, Curator, Exhibition and Engagement Officer and the Project Manager to inform these roles. I also created promotional material for the new volunteer roles and amended existing application and induction forms to make them suitable.

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

Over the course of my internship I had to arrange meetings with a variety of people both face to face and over the telephone so my biggest achievement was gaining the confidence to talk to these new people in order to complete my work. I think this will be an advantage in any internships or jobs I have in the future as I will have the confidence to speak to a range of people.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

Wheal Martyn have recently been awarded a funding by the Heritage Lottery for a new project called the Clay Works! Project. Due to this, there are many new opportunities for volunteers which need to be communicated to the public. The creation of volunteer role profiles and promotional material will be helpful to Wheal Martyn as these materials will enable the museum to recruit a diverse range of people to become volunteers. Creating these materials can be time consuming and the office is very busy due to the commencement of this new project so the work completed during my internship will help to lighten a small part of the workload the museum currently has.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Communication, research, networking

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Confidence, perseverance, professionalism

 

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

Junior Account Executive – Lolly Ltd

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

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

Account handling and digital media. I was involved with handling clients’ social media, including twitter, linked In, Instagram and Facebook using Hootsuite, and their personal websites (writing news articles for clients’ websites and press releases for upcoming events). I also researched into what firms similar to our clients do, and how we can adopt this to suit our clients.

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

The best thing about this internship was it gave me a much clearer vision of what kind of career I would like. It really opened my eyes to a different side of the business world, and I am so glad I took a risk and went for a slightly more unusual placement. My biggest achievement was becoming a lot more confident when conversing with clients. I learnt a lot about the industry and procedures.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I lightened the workload of my colleagues through planning social media posts ahead of time, drafting news articles and using Photoshop to make images more usable.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Customer service, strategic management, IT

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, perseverance, independence

 

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

Graduate Ambassador (Widening Participation and Direct Recruitment) – University of Exeter

Administration, Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Graduate Business Partnership (GBP), Hospitality and Event Management, Human Resources, Recruitment and Training, Psychology, Sociology and Criminology, , ,

The internship was invaluable in helping me to develop the skills required to secure a training contract to be a solicitor. I am now back in full time education completing an MA in Law and look forward to starting with the firm in 2020.

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

As a Graduate Ambassador, I worked in both widening participation and direct recruitment. This involved delivering presentations for schools and colleges to inform students about their Higher Education options. I represented the University of Exeter at Information Fairs and UCAS Exhibitions, as well as helping with events on campus such as Open Days and Offer-Holder visit days.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Leadership, strategic planning, IT

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Commercial awareness, logical thinking, professionalism

Communications Assistant – NSPCC

Access to Internships (A2I), Advertising, Marketing and PR, Business and Management, Charity and Development Work

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

I helped in various projects across all departments of the NSPCC’s communications directorate; Media/PR, Digital, Internal Communications, and Marketing.

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

By the end of my internship I was able to confidently contribute ideas in meetings, which really made me feel like I was a productive member of the team. I found that because I was afforded such a wide insight into the company, that sometimes I was able to answer queries and give guidance on areas which other departments were unsure on.

What benefits did your internship bring to your employer?

I was able to carry out tasks that lightened the workload of my colleagues. For example, I assisted on a few research projects, researching and analysing the events, marketing and performance of other charities, in which I was able to put my skills as an English undergraduate to good use. I was also able to contribute my own ideas and approaches, such as our social media strategy for some of the NSPCC’s key events and campaigns.

What skills were you able to develop through the internship?

Problem solving, strategic planning, networking

What attributes were you able to develop through the internship?

Initiative, personal awareness, cultural awareness