My Week of Work Experience: Understanding a Different Industry

I’m currently halfway through third year studying sports journalism at the University of Lincoln and was still yet to complete any work experience. I knew it was hugely important to experience a professional work placement to begin my career post-university.

PR and marketing were not industries I had experience in prior to contacting Shooting Star, however I was very keen to learn and gain new experiences. I initially contacted the company via email before Christmas following a recommendation from a PR graduate at the university. Jez replied to me and told me that they were running a work experience scheme, with details being announced in January.

I applied for the scheme and the application process involved creating a social media plan for a fictional gin company. I found this to be a really engaging way of applying for the role, encouraging creativity and forward thinking. I was asked to take part in an interview with Jez and Kate and was really pleased to be offered a week’s placement in early February.

On entering the office, I was greeted first by Luna, who took a liking to my shoelaces, before I was introduced to the rest of the team by Kate. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and helped me to settle in straight away.

I was asked to assist Molly with one of her clients, Headway Lincolnshire, updating their website and content. By fortunate coincidence I had recently produced a radio package surrounding head injuries in sport, which was ideal for the client’s site. It was a great feeling to have a piece of my work valued in a professional setting.

I sat in during Amy’s weekly meeting with Maz too; it was a surprise to hear the range of clients they had to work with during the week. I was given a couple of tasks to complete helping with two clients, TG Consulting and LACE Housing. They were very different to what I had experienced working on as a journalist, but it was interesting to see how another industry works, as well as getting my first office experience.

The company had an incredibly friendly and upbeat atmosphere throughout the week, and the constant energy from Luna seemed to keep everyone entertained!

Thursday and Friday were spent working from home, introduced since the pandemic began.

I was given the responsibility of uploading and formatting a press release on Gorkana and the Shooting Star newsroom. It proved challenging as they were sites I had no experience with, so trial and error became necessary.

Overall, it’s been an interesting and enjoyable week and I finished it very grateful to the whole team who helped me out and made me feel so welcome.

FC