Find out how Joanna Burrell - BA (Hons) Journalism student secured work experience as a social media manager with support from the team
I am currently a second year BA (Hons) Journalism student and I joined the University of Portsmouth in my second year after completing my first year at a different university. When I came to this university, I had no experience, no blog, no creative CV and no idea what I should be doing.
What support did you get from the Creative Careers team?
The Creative Careers team has been such a great help. They guided me through everything, from providing resources to show me how a creative CV should be structured, helping me build and edit my CV, and showing me the different work and volunteer opportunities available on the careers site.
Tell us a bit about your role
I am currently volunteering as a social media manager for the Repair Cafe Gosport, a non-profit organisation in my hometown which fixes resident’s broken household items. My role involves taking pictures of everything that happens at the monthly events and turning them into a month’s worth of social media content for Facebook and Instagram, to encourage people to attend the next event or volunteer with the charity.
How did you find this opportunity?
I found this work experience after contacting the organisation to ask them to feature in an article for my university work. From this meeting I ended up being recruited to help out with their social media pages. Through Repair Cafe I have also had great opportunities such as meeting my local MP and Mayor, as well as being connected with other local people and projects, which can help to build my portfolio.
One of Joanna's social media photos taken at the Repair Cafe Gosport, with the Mayor of Gosport and the President of the Rotary Club unveiling a new microscope donated to help the volunteers of the Repairs Cafe Gosport.
One of the photos that Joanna took of Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage giving a donation to Keith Brady, chair of Repair Cafe Gosport. This photo was featured in the published article on the Portsmouth News.
How is your work experience relevant to your degree?
This is really valuable work experience for my journalism course but would also be great for similar creative degrees. It allows me to develop my understanding of social media and analytics, which are both very important to journalistic careers nowadays.
Highlights so far?
The article, I wrote was featured in the Portsmouth News, which I’m very proud of.
What are your plans for the future?
I plan to continue engaging with my work experience, as it’s beneficial for my CV allowing to develop key skills and it’s also flexible with my timetable (I always have so much Uni work to do!)
The Creative Careers team has further supported me in identifying other volunteering opportunities, which I’m now looking into so I can gain more experience.
What is your advice to students looking for work experience while studying?
My advice to students about finding relevant work experience would be to put yourself out there. It’s amazing how many doors can be opened from carrying out even a small bit of work experience. Making contacts is extremely important, especially in a subject such as journalism.
It’s so worth seeking the support of the Creative Careers team, as they have many resources, opportunities and connections to help with work experiences, and I would have had no clue without their guidance.