Lauren Kay

Lauren Kay is bound for success. The Keele University Marketing and Psychology graduate has made a flourishing start to her career, thanks in-part to the opportunities provided to her during her degree studies.

Whilst at Keele, Lauren approached the University’s Careers and Employability team for advice and guidance, which ultimately resulted in three internships. Her first two marketing internships took place during her studies and provided both vital experience and a clearer idea of which career path she wanted to follow. After graduation, Lauren applied for her third internship as the role offered the possibility of full-time employment once the initial placement had concluded.

After only a few weeks of her internship as a PR and Marketing Assistant, Lauren impressed her new colleagues and clients so much that she was offered a permanent role with Strategi Solutions, becoming one of the 96 per cent of Keele graduates who gain employment within six months of graduating, thanks to the support provided by Keele’s Careers and Employability team.

Just six months later, Lauren was promoted to PR and Marketing Executive, taking on additional responsibilities such as managing key client accounts and developing their PR and marketing campaigns and activities.

Speaking about her experience at university, Lauren said: “Keele definitely prepared me for the world of work and helped me to grow as an individual. Not only did the staff and academics arm me with the knowledge and skills that have helped me to progress in my career, they also took the time to give me advice that will stay with me as I progress forward.

“The University’s Careers Hub also played a huge part during my time at Keele – if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have known about the work experience opportunities available to me throughout my studies. They regularly updated me on the latest vacancies, gave me one-to-one careers advice and even spent time helping me to prepare for graduate interviews. A number of my friends also benefitted from the opportunities presented by the Careers Hub, and have succeeded in gaining brilliant jobs up and down the country.”

Lauren’s internship with Strategi Solutions was funded through Keele’s partnership with Santander and their Santander Universities programme. This scheme, coupled with Keele’s other placement programmes, provides local businesses with subsidised opportunities to work with some of the University’s 11,000+ students, bringing the latest talent and knowledge into workplaces across Staffordshire and beyond.

Lauren added: “Since joining Strategi Solutions I’ve had the chance to work with some incredible people on some genuinely-fascinating projects, such as the Women of the Year Awards, and I could not be more grateful to Keele University, Strategi Solutions, and Santander for the opportunities that have led me to where I am today. Wherever the next stages of my career take me, I am confident that I’ve been given the strongest of starts thanks to these organisations.”

Lauren’s story is a prime example of how Keele University is using its world-leading knowledge, expertise and partnerships to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally. By nurturing such talent through their studies and providing employment experience opportunities, Keele is helping to give its knowledgeable and skilled graduates a significant head-start in their careers.