We (ie Behind the Spin) are not a business so can’t offer formal work experience placements. We’re a volunteer-run magazine operating on a virtual basis (there’s no office).

There’s plenty of work to do in terms of contributing articles (see the forward features list on the About page) but we’re aimed more at university students studying public relations than 15-16 year olds who would probably benefit from more structure, guidance and supervision than we can provide.

That said, I’ve taught many people working in PR consultancies and remember the age of the youngest of them – a 16 year old trainee.

I am very interested in PR and would love to pursue it for a career and i think two weeks of experience in your company would allow me to understand jobs in PR much better.

My telephone number is- 07545521704
Many thanks,
Cathereen Welch

There are many different routes into a career in PR. In my opinion a history degree is as good as any (but then I’m a history graduate, too).

Your options seem to me to be to:

1) Apply for graduate schemes where they exist (mainly the large consultancies and the governnment’s Central Office of Information)

2) Gain some unpaid work experience in a PR role

3) Start work in a non-PR role and consider a transfer later (my route was publishing and journalism before public relations)

4) Study for a professional qualification (the CIPR Advanced Certificate is suitable for graduates with little or no work experience)

My problem is similar to Hannah’s, I have decided a career in PR is something I want to try acheive after I graduate next year, but I am a history student. I have no real idea what sector I would be most interested in, and I’m finding this a problem when contacting companies for work experience. I’m prepared to be persistant and dedicated (and work for free) but I don’t really know how to sell myself to PR companies as I have no experience.

Emily

In one regard you have a headstart over ‘typical’ PR students. You already have a sector specialism (fashion).

So what you need to do next is straightforward (in theory, anyway).

You need to learn all you can about the sector, and read the fashion press, specialist blogs etc. (You’ll be asked about this at interview).

You then need to identify companies in the sector that particularly interest you (based on what they do and where they’re based), then you need to identify who to approach (probably a head of marketing, publicity or PR: contact details are often given on news releases.)

Finally you need to make direct contact and ask for an opportunity to discuss work experience with the organisation. Be prepared to be persistent – don’t simply rely on one email (people are busy and this is now the holiday season).

Even if you’re looking outside the fashion sector, the advice remains the same. But given your background, my advice would be to start with what you know.

I’m looking for advice more than anything i’m currently going into my third year of a degree in fashion Promotion, i’m looking to forward my career into PR and am looking for work experience in PR, not coming from a typical PR degree how is the best way to go about getting work experience?

Thanks Hannah

At Brandnation we have an on-going Work Experience Scheme where you get to work as part of a team covering all aspects of PR, including product placement, features, media liasion, promotions and everything else covered within the PR remit. The purpose of the scheme is to give graduates an opportunity to gain a full insight into all aspects of consumer PR work.

If you are entusiatic, motivated, keen to learn and focused on a career in PR we want to hear from you. You need to be able to offer a minimum of at least three full working months. All graduates successfully completing a Brandnation work placement will receive a full preformance assessment, de-briefing and reference to help them gain full time employment in the PR industry.

First of all sorry, I never got back to you with this – I did it then forgot all about sending it to you! Oh well, I hope my belated comment above/below might offer some further relevance.

Secondly, congrats on a great piece – it certainly echoes my sentiment. I can’t believe some people chose not to do a placement! Especially on the grounds that they, and I quote one fellow student, “(I) wont have any problem getting a job after I graduate”.

All the best!

Ben

Age: 23

Company: Cameron Wells Communications Ltd

Role: Account Executive

Cameron Wells are an award-winning business-to-business PR specialist based just outside Manchester. They pride themselves on a ‘can-do’ approach and an ability to provide creative but pragmatic PR strategies.

Having excelled at some of the largest PR firms in the UK (namely Staniforth), Andrea Cameron and Debbie Wells decided to go it alone in 2005 establishing Cameron Wells Communications Ltd. With a small but highly experienced team, the company has proved the ideal place to spend my work placement.

With numerous placement opportunities at large consumer agencies and multi-national in-houses, it may come as a surprise that I chose to pursue my year with a very small business-to-business communications firm.

For me, the work placement year is about one thing – learning. So along with some educated advice, it appeared that in terms of learning, it would be far more realistic and beneficial to spend my placement year in a less crowded workplace.

Cameron Wells fitted the bill perfectly. I am literally able to see and hear everything that is going on in the office regardless of whether I am involved in it or not. With each of my highly experienced colleagues being experts in varying areas, I am constantly learning new and practical skills.

It’s hard to start listing the areas of PR that I have been involved in, but it’s safe to say that in terms of my university module areas, Cameron Wells has brought many to life. One day I might be helping organise a clients stand for an exhibition at the NEC, the next I could be liaising with journalists to discuss possible feature ideas.

In November, Cameron Wells won Gold for ‘Best Business & Trade Campaign’ at the NW CIPR PRide Awards. The event was a fantastic experience and made a great opportunity to meet and chat with the people at the heart of the PR industry.

Spelling out the shear importance of this year is the fact that I have just been offered a full-time position as an Account Handler. I could continue telling you how my work experience has benefited me thus far, but really, if establishing the right credentials for a career in PR is the ultimate goal a PR Degree, then all that needs to be said is DO A WORK PLACEMENT.