Abbie E, Year 12 student:
Hiya! I’m Abbie, and I’m a Year 12 student studying Computer Science, Maths and Psychology at Cambourne Sixth Form. I chose Conscious Communications (CC) as my placement for work experience because I was curious about how PR companies interact with their clients, and whether that would link to my wish to do either Sociology or Social Science at university.
What struck me when I started at CC was that people doing work experience are valued. I wasn’t just shoved in a corner and told to answer emails: I was given my own desk and realistic tasks that members of the team would normally do. Each part of the task was timetabled with a different member of the team, which not only meant I got to spend time with everyone in the office and online, but also helped me better understand the various aspects of PR.
I began by scouring local newspapers for articles relating to CC’s clients, which I didn’t realise would be part of the job. Later, I was briefed on my long-term task for Cambridge City Foodbank. The first part of my task was to research and pick a local influential figure to stand as the charity’s ambassador, which I did in between Microsoft Teams meetings and regular face-to-face checkups to see how I was getting on.
The most challenging aspect of my task was the press release – mainly because I had never heard of one before! It felt strange for me to have to write concisely and without emotion, as I was used to elaborating as much as possible and engaging the reader through GCSE English Language and GCSE Photography. Luckily, I was shown the correct structure and given tips for improvement, and I now feel confident in writing a professional-looking press release. Being able to write factually is a key skill that I look forward to using in the future.
My favourite part of the task was getting to put my knowledge of Canva to the test by making a poster for a real-life client using their logo, fonts, colours and graphics. I had previously used Canva to make posters for the Eco Council and Sixth Form Council so had some basic understanding of the software. Before my meeting, I created an initial poster, so that I could show what I understood and could get helpful feedback on how closely it aligned with the foodbank’s public image. It was great fun to be creative and make something eye-catching while still sticking to the brand’s theme.
During my short time at CC, I’ve learned a lot: not just about PR, but about how a company works as a close-knit yet diverse team to achieve everyone’s goals. Though everyone specialises in different fields – from media relations to graphic design to digital marketing – the roles are interlinked and rely on each other to work.If you are considering doing work experience here, I can’t encourage you enough to go for it. From the moment I stepped into the office I felt welcome, and everyone went out of their way to make me feel included. From a full office tour to inviting me to join them for lunch every day, the team were nothing but warm and approachable. I wish I could stay longer.
