Name of Student: Lucy
Pathway Programme: Pathways to Marketing (2024 cohort)
Internship Role: Marketing Assistant
Summary of Organisation: Commercial, Residential and Campus Services (CRC) aims to oversee the strategic and operational development of the organisation’s commercial services, driving income and value for the University, which supports its academic vision.
Please briefly outline the project/tasks/responsibilities you worked on during your Professional Pathways internship:
“During the internship, I performed an in-depth competitive analysis for Eat & Shop, comparing Exeter University’s food and drink services with those of other Universities. I also wrote copy for the Accommodation blog and crafted reels and carousel content for the Residence Life Instagram page. I engaged with various teams, providing my own thoughts in meetings where appropriate.”
How has the Professional Pathways programme helped you in taking the next steps in your career?
“The Professional Pathways programme has helped me be certain that I want to pursue a career in marketing. The training days developed my theoretical knowledge, and the group presentation and internship gave me a really valuable insight into what it is like to work in marketing. I found it suits my skillset well, and above all, I enjoy it!“
How do you think this experience will impact on your employability as you enter the job market as a recent graduate?
“The Pathways experience not only increased my knowledge about marketing theory and the industry but has massively improved my confidence in these early stages of my career. I feel far more equipped to talk about my strengths, having real-life examples to exemplify and demonstrate my skills on my CV and in interviews. The programme has boosted my employability and will help me stand out against other candidates.”
Given the Professional Pathways internship is 35 hours in total, what advice would you give to other students to ensure they gain as much as possible from the experience?
“I found it helpful to do some research into each of the people running a training session. Just a quick LinkedIn search to understand their role and career achievements. This makes it easier to follow along in the session and come equipped with questions. It is also really important to do the same with the team and company you will be working with during your internship. Think of a few specific questions to ask them that can help you in your early career!”