As I come to the end of my placement here at PMW, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I have been given, and the experiences I have had. From the beginning, I was trying to source a company I could complete my work placement with and PMW was one company that stood out to me.
I decided to send an email to the company, and I patiently waited to hear back. After a couple of days, I had a response and following a phone call they asked me to come in that day to have a chat with them about what I was asking for.
I sat down in the boardroom and expressed my passion for marketing. I am studying communications and media, and kindly asked if they would offer me some work experience – whether it was going to be one week or two, I just wanted to learn. Shortly after, I received an email offering me a month-long opportunity at the office, and I was thrilled that reaching out to them led to such a fantastic opportunity.
From the moment I walked through the double doors of the office, I was pleasantly welcomed by such a friendly team, which led onto a seamless and enjoyable month.
One thing that stood out to me was the collaborative environment. Account management, web design, SEO and Google ads, social media, studio, PR – I had the chance to shadow each department and see that this cross-departmental exposure not only broadened my skills but also gave me a deeper understanding of how the company operates.
From day one, I was encouraged to jump straight into the PR department, where I spent my first two weeks. On my first day I was given a tour of the office, where are was shown the most important area – tea and coffee – easing my mind that I had access to unlimited tea!
Harriette Bond spent time with me explaining the ins and outs of each department. I was able to shadow Harriette for the first morning and then she gave me some tasks to complete. I gained knowledge in writing press releases and blogs, acquiring valuable insights into how effective communication strategies can enhance brand perception, and I was inspired by how much impact PR has on the company’s reputation and success.
From there I moved into a week of shadowing other departments each day.
I started in account management where I was able to observe how the team builds and maintains client relationships, ensuring that the client’s needs are met. Participating in a client meeting to help draft proposals and follow-ups, I had exposure to the strategic side of managing accounts. I valued the fast-paced environment, and how they got to speak to clients and inspire ideas.
Wednesday morning, I moved into the studio, shadowing Jonno and Charlotte who helped me to understand the techniques used to make ideas come to life. I loved the creativity in the room, shooting ideas between each other. I got involved in sparking advice for an advertisement video. Seeing the innovative energy and hands-on approach the team brought to every project ignited my passion for the artistic side of the business and reinforced my desire to pursue work in a dynamic, creative environment.
After lunch, I moved into the website development team. Joining in on a brand strategy meeting with a client where I could see the first steps of how a company starts the web build process. From ideas written in a notebook, to a few conversations which sparked the launch of a project coming to life. I acknowledged the technical precision required to design user-friendly and visually appealing websites.
I loved to see the challenge of balancing aesthetics with functionality.
The next day, I moved onto social media. I knew this would be one of my favourite teams due to their creativity. I saw the real-time nature of social media management – the strategies to engage and grow online fascinated me. Being involved in content creation, campaign planning and monitoring audience interactions allowed me to see firsthand how social media is a useful tool for many companies to use to reach out and interact with their audience. I strengthened my passion for digital communication whilst spending time with the social media department as I witnessed the dynamic of an ever-evolving landscape of social media making each day exciting.
To wrap up that week, I moved into the SEO and Google Ads department which provided me with a worthy insight into how websites become useful. I liked learning the data-driven strategies for optimising brand visibility and reach through search engines. The process of researching keywords, analysing website performance, and gaining an understanding of how websites work from behind the scenes. I found the blend of analytical thinking and creative strategy in this department very interesting.
My final week, my heart brought me back to the PR department. Although every department I joined separately told me ‘We are the best team in the office.’ It made me laugh at how passionate each colleague was about their departments and that they believed they really were the BEST of them all.
What truly stood out during my time at PMW was the supportive culture.
The team went above and beyond to ensure that I felt like a valued member of the team. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions were part of the company’s commitment to my professional development, and I always felt I could confidently contribute my ideas, no matter which department I was working in.
Alongside working, team members at PMW took time out to get to know me; from talks in the hallways about life, to conversations over lunch. The efforts people made to make sure I felt welcomed showed me their core values of team building – understanding that friendly relationships within the workplace are essential to respect one another. The laughter and time away from work are key to a good office setting, and that is one lesson I will take away from this experience. To turn up to work during my placement feeling passionate to be alongside a friendly team really completed the month.
As I return to university for my final year, I will carry the lessons and experiences I have gained at PMW with me.
I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside such a talented and driven team, and I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge I have developed into my future career.
From the office environment, to managing workloads and maintaining motivation when working on tasks alone, I also discovered the importance of schemes. Wellness schemes are great for employees to feel valued, linking to the relations between colleagues. Since spending my time alongside Harriette, I could see she feels strongly about being proactive where necessary. I got to partake in a social mobility scheme and visited HMP Ford which opened my eyes to something I did not think I would when I thought about marketing. This proved to me that any workplace can involve initiatives whether it is for employees or volunteering. A big thank you to Pete and the whole team at PMW for making this happen – I am grateful for this awakening of what the world offers, considering all aspects of life and what working should really look like.
My advice to anybody considering an internship or placement would be:
- Be proactive by taking the initiative to seek out work experience, ask questions, and offer your help. This will give you a broader perspective and help you discover what you enjoy and excel at.
- Embrace every opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage with as many departments as possible. The exposure and knowledge you gain will be invaluable for your future career.
- Take the time to connect with colleagues, supervisors, and peers. These relationships can provide mentorship. Networking within the company helps you build a support system that can guide you in your career.
- Embrace learning and feedback, absorb as much knowledge as possible. Take notes and be open to feedback, both positive and constructive, as it will help you grow professionally.
- Develop transferable skills, even if you are unsure of your future career path, focus on developing soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and item management.
