Graduate Internships
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Stoke-on-Trent based Packet Media invest in two Keele graduates
The Business Need
Stoke-on-Trent based Packet Media are a technology company supplying telecoms solutions and marketing services to medium and large sized organisations across the public and private sector. Founder & Managing Director Julian Gallimore explains what prompted them to recruit a Keele graduate:
“We had identified a need to broaden our efforts within the Marketing department, and following a recommendation from the North Staffs Chamber of Commerce, we decided to enlist the help of the Keele University Internship scheme.”
The Graduate solution:
Via the Keele-Santander Universities Internships programme, Packet Media were put in touch with Rosie, a Criminology and English graduate from Keele University, and who lived nearby in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Four days after meeting her at interview, Rosie began work at Packet Media as a copywriter. Working alongside an in-house graphic designer, she writes the copy for targeted marketing campaigns, the company website, corporate documents, as well as managing their social media presence, and assisting with the development of long-term marketing strategies. And, when Packet Media launched a new product in April, Rosie played a vital role in ensuring the launch was a success; producing all the marketing copy for the new product itself, as well as all the launch material, and arranging press coverage.
Business benefits:
In reflecting on the decision to recruit a Keele graduate, Julian said:
“Taking on a graduate was, and continues to be, an investment for us. Rosie has delivered to a high standard, and more than met our expectations - I think we have been fortunate in finding her. She’s an intelligent self-starter with an excellent ability to understand audiences and articulate our technical products convincingly. The funding from Santander was an excellent incentive for us to bring a graduate into the company, and she has been so successful that we have since extended Rosie’s contract beyond the initial three months.”
The Graduate’s experience:
For Rosie, like many other recent graduates, it is an opportunity to gain some valuable experience in the business workplace. In her own words:
“It can be a huge culture shock; coming from a big organisation like a University, into a small business environment. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is how important it is, when you’re working for an SME, to fit into company culture. That’s not something that’s really stressed at University – there’s usually much more emphasis placed on getting the right skills to meet the person spec. I’ve learnt a lot at Packet Media, particularly from Jana, – she is a hugely talented designer and has shown me in a really practical sense, what design needs from copy to make a successful digital product.”
The staff experience:
Feedback from colleagues has been very positive. Jana Fajs, Graphic Designer and Marketing Manager said:
“Rosie has brought a much-needed injection of fresh perspective to Packet Media, and her ideas and talents have enabled us to really develop our marketing activity, particularly digitally. Personally speaking, I love working with her, and feel that the department has benefitted from a renewed burst of energy and enthusiasm since she joined us.”
Director of Sales & Marketing Neil Latham, agreed, commenting:
“I am very pleased to have Rosie with us. She has tangibly enhanced the activities and output of the department and helped the business to achieve great things. We don’t really see her as an intern - we hope she stays with us for many years as a valued, full-time member of staff.”
The long-term benefits:
Summing up her experience so far, Rosie said:
“An internship can be highly valuable, given that opportunities - for creative graduates in particular - can be limited. Getting experience of an in-house role so early in my career has been great for building a professional portfolio, and on top of that I’ve now got first-hand experience of small business needs, as well as having learnt a couple of new skills – Search Engine Optimisation, and working with Google Analytics, for example. ”
An ongoing relationship:
Encouraged by the success and impact of one Keele graduate within his company, Julian decided to offer a second internship to support his continually growing business. In May 2013, Hazel, a Keele Maths and Accounting graduate joined the business as a finance & administration assistant.
For more information about the Keele University Graduate Internships scheme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, please call 01782 733403 or e-mail: internships@keele.ac.uk
