Santander Funding Opens “Professional Door” for Keele Graduate

Daniel Rushton A Keele graduate has taken advantage of £3,000 in Santander and Keele University co-funding to open the “professional door” and land a permanent marketing job for a Staffordshire based web solutions company.

Daniel Rushton, 23, took part in a three month Keele University Graduate Internship with Interlockdigital Ltd before being taken on as the permanent New Accounts Manager.

Interlockdigital received £3,000 in co-funding from Santander and Keele University to help pay the graduate’s wages.

The scheme provides financial help to companies who employ recent Keele graduates on three month internships to help get them into graduate level employment.

“The internship opened the professional door for me,” Daniel said. “Not being a business graduate, I had a lot to learn about business practices. The scheme allowed the company to take a gamble on me and it has paid off.”

Daniel graduated from Keele University in 2011 with a degree in International Relations and Law and is using the role to develop his business knowledge and skills.

“Working outside of my comfort zone has given me the opportunity to learn so much more,” he said. “My role is mainly in the development of a Digital Marketing platform and service, which has educated me greatly on the world of business, outsourcing and general marketing practices.

“My experience has taken me from client meetings to networking events, doing everything from telemarketing to handling technical issues.”

Interlockdigital is a digital marketing company based in Longton, Staffordshire – specialising in finding new ways to help businesses expand and improve online.

Director of Interlockdigital, Simon Pooler said: “The scheme provided us with a route to bring in a graduate and provide an introductory period to gain experience in what we do and how we work, without financially disadvantaging the company or graduate.

“This has meant that as an SME, we were able to take on the graduate as a new member of staff, giving him the time to understand our customers, solutions and working practices, without the financial pressure of having to generate financial return.”

Santander, in partnership with Keele University, is currently offering companies £1,500 to employ a Keele graduate on a three month internship.

To take part in the Keele University Graduate Internships scheme, please call (01782) 733403 or e-mail: internships@keele.ac.uk

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