Could there be a career in the digital industry for you?

Think you need to be a computer science graduate to work in the digital industry? Think again. Even if you don’t fancy yourself as the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg, there are still plenty of roles within the digital industry for you. Careers in the digital industry are not just for those who can code. Almost everything we do, from shopping to communicating, now has a digital element so it’s no surprise that there are so many varied opportunities in the digital industry.

Online Marketing- With so many brands taking to the web to promote and sell it has increased the importance of online marketing as brands need to get noticed online. Online marketing differs largely from the conventional marketing employing technical tools such as Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay-per-click (PPC) and social media.

What skills do I need? For the more technical roles good knowledge of the search engine industry, SEO, PPC and of best practices is essential. But for social media roles practical experience is more important, so if you’re an avid Facebook, Twitter and Blogger user you’ll fit in just fine.

Online Content- Online copy is a vital part of any website and has far extended outside the boundaries of word heavy sites of magazines and newspapers. All sites have textual, visual or aural content which requires constant uploading and updating.

What skills do I need? Love writing? Then this is for you. There are lots of opportunities in online copywriting and it’s an entry level position in which you can readily build up your skills prior to employment. With free platforms such as WordPress and Blogger, you can skill-up on software employers use in the workplace.

Ecommerce- Ecommerce is the business of buying and selling online. It has opened up a vast amount of jobs in the online world including, digital sales, account management and online advertising.

Where skills do I need? Depending on what you’re selling, roles in ecommerce can require great people skills, if you’re trying to sell advertising space, or technical knowledge of how to upload products and facilitate sales.

Web and Software Development- Roles in this area are for the more tech savvy graduates. A degree in computer science or a related area can really give you the edge over other candidates.

What skills do I need? Experience of coding and HTML will help you get ahead here as well as knowledge of iOS, Android and Blackberry app development.

Web and Graphic Design- As a web designer you’ll be responsible for creating attractive and user friendly designs to satisfy a client’s brief.

What skills do I need? For a career in web design you’ll need to be creative and have a strong digital portfolio. Knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign, Fireworks, HTML and CSS will help too.

Analytics and Research- You’ll determine how well a website and its features are being received by using tools such as Google analytics. By looking through the data you’ll come up with ways to increase and improve site traffic.

What skills do I need? If you’re good with numbers then you’ll fit right in here as these roles require someone with strong numerical and analytical skills.

Here are just a few of the digital jobs on Jobonline:

Analytics Intern at WCG

Digital Marketing Assistant at Mölnlycke Health Care

Ecommerce Operations and Customer Services Executive at Lords of Notting Hill

Web Developer at The Colombian Coffee Company

Graphic/Web Designer at Decidet

Digital/Social Copy Writer at The Life Group

Alannah Francis
Careers Admin Assistant
QM Careers Centre

Get into the media: Bex Coxon, 2012 QM Graduate, Production Management Assistant at the BBC

Bex Coxon Graduated from Queen Mary in 2012 with a BA in English and Drama. A few months on, she is working for the BBC with a view to pursue a career in Media. We caught up with Bex to see how she developed her CV (and herself!) for a career in the media:

You got into working in the media through the BBC Production Talent Pool. What does that involve?

The Production Talent Pool is a scheme run by the BBC that takes on around 100 people and gives them a fast track entry route into a career in Television and Radio Production. Once you’ve got a place, anyone hiring for entry level roles in the BBC has access to your CV. You then just have to wait for the phone to ring. Usually there’ll be a shortlist of PTP candidates for the role and you’ll be invited for a ‘chat’ or interview by them to see if you’re right for the role.

So what is your current job title?

I’m currently a Personal Assistant (PA) to an Executive Producer in BBC Factual. I’m also a Production Management Assistant for all of my Exec’s programmes, so I do odd jobs here and there for Producers, Production Managers and directors like booking meeting rooms, meeting guests and making copies of DVDs/scripts. Day to day, I’m in the office 10am-6pm managing my Exec’s diary and liaising with people such as production teams, talent agents or channel controllers by email or phone to arrange meetings or viewings of his upcoming programmes (that need his input when editing). Sometimes I get to go out on shoots and help with looking after actors or presenters, making teas and coffees; generally helping the day run smoother.

Very busy then! And very competitive – you know as well as we do that media candidates have to really stand out on their CV. How did you make sure your application shone through the competition?

I put a lot of time and effort into my application, as I didn’t have much experience directly related to TV or film. I enjoyed my degree, but most of my time was actually spent getting practical experience outside of my course. I served on the committee of a QM sports team; I was secretary of the QM Theatre Company in my second year and Co-President in my third (and organised an £18,000 Edinburgh Fringe Festival performance run both years running); I volunteered for two years as a steward at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and did regular overnight shifts for the charity Nightline in my final year.

I also completed a 6-month summer internship with an online magazine specialising in mental health and psychology. It was a newly established magazine, and I was asked to interview guests, upload my articles straight to the website, source my own images and go to events/conferences and report for the magazine. I think it’s useful to work for a small team, because you are more likely to be given the opportunity to have some creative input. I had done some travelling and creative writing so I also mentioned that in my application. I fundraised £2000 to go to Malaysia with a charity when I was 17 and organised lots of events for that including a big fashion show. I think events organising/management is always a good skill to include on any application and in whatever capacity. I was also a student ambassador and course rep.

Although I had no direct TV experience, I did have some experience with Youtube and online media. There are loads of editing programmes you can buy/download and teach yourself which I would recommend doing. Photoshop, Final Cut Pro/Adobe Premier/Avid, Excel, Outlook and so on are all programmes that are useful to have under your belt when working in TV/Radio/Multimedia.

You also worked on campus in Ground! Was this experience useful?

Despite fitting it in around everything else, work actually became my relaxing time (where I didn’t have to think about anything else). I started working in Ground near the end of my 2^nd year, but I really wished I’d applied as soon as I got to uni! I’d highly recommend getting a part time job while studying – I’m not sure I’d be as confident in facing the world of employment if I hadn’t. Any employment is valuable experience – I operated a mini digger in a church graveyard for my dad one summer – not relevant to what I want to do now, but it certainly showed me what I don’t want to do and that I’m willing to get stuck in and get my hands dirty!

So you had lots of experience, but not directly related to TV. I’m sure lots of students will be relieved to hear that it doesn’t have to be all about direct experience!

While some people who got through did have a great background and experience in TV/Radio/Media production, one had previously been a chef, another primary school teacher – they also had no direct link to TV or Radio.

It’s important to remember that experiences that you think are irrelevant might be crucial to your application! You just have to find the skills in them that can relate to the application. For my job they wanted ‘storytellers’, and I found that experience in storytelling can come in a hundred different forms – including how you write the actual application itself.

But not everyone is successful first time round when they apply to work in media roles. How can people spend time preparing themselves for the application process next time?

Apply for work experience in TV, radio and media. There are tons of placements, and although they’re competitive to get onto they definitely help you decide whether it’s something you want to do as a career. There are also loads of independent production companies out there who are likely to take on work experience/placements/internships – find out who makes the programmes you like and send them an email telling them that you enjoy their work and would like to help out for a week or two – the worst that can happen is they say no or don’t reply. Any kind of media/storytelling experience is useful and shows that you’re creative and ambitious.

Also, watch lots of TV if you want to work in TV, and listen to lots of Radio if you want to work in Radio, and so on! You’re bound to get asked about your favourite programmes at some point, so you need to show that you actually have an interest in that form of media! If you know who you’re going to be interviewed by then make sure you know a bit about them (a simple Google/IMDB search usually gives you some answers!) Come up with loads of programme ideas/formats and try and develop them as far as possible – its cliché but ideas are ‘currency’ in the TV/Radio world and a good idea is a good idea no matter who or where it has come from.

If you don’t get through first time and you know it’s what you want to do, please don’t let it stop you. Try and get some more experience, keep focused and apply next year. There is a lot of work involved, so you have to be able to prioritise – I had to take time off writing my dissertation to prepare for an interview, but it’s about how you make the time up again!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time I’d love to be working on shows like Blue Peter, The One Show or Children In Need, either as a researcher or Assistant Producer.  Factual, magazine style shows and documentaries are the programmes I watch the most, so naturally they are where I want to work. I would highly recommend going for jobs in the areas of TV/Radio you watch/listen to the most, you’re already a fan and know a lot about it so it makes sense. My ultimate but unlikely dream would be to become a Blue Peter presenter; I would jump at the chance to be in their shoes even for a day; I can’t think of a more exciting and challenging job. There’s no normal route into a role like that though, so it may always be a pipe dream unfortunately… but you never know!

QM Careers offers a wide range of support for interview preparation and application technique. You can book your appointment by calling 020 7882 8533 or by dropping in – Queens Building WG3.

You can apply to the BBC Production Talent Pool by visiting http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee-schemes/ptp

Josh LeeEmployer Engagement Administrator
QM Careers Centre

How To Get Into Media: Tips From Industry Insiders

The videos from the first ever Media Summit are now live on our YouTube page.

Take a look and find out whether our guests think it’s best to specialise or if they argue that variety is the spice of media life.

Channel 4 Dispatches journalist, Hannah Livingston, gives great advice to those wanting to get into TV; whilst Rebecca Coxon, Production Management Assistant at BBC Factual, tells us what kind of experience can help you succeed in the BBC Production Talent Pool.

The videos also feature Alex Thomson, Chief Correspondent, Channel 4 News and Edwin Lampert Group Managing Editor, Riviera Maritime Media. They both highlight the extensive routes into media, including the often overlooked opportunities at business to business (b2b) publications.

There is also great insider advice on how to succeed in the media industry and how you can get experience in the area your passionate about, outside internships and employment.

If you missed the event you can read what the guests had to say here.

QM Media Summit highlights – working in TV and Journalism

Queen Mary Careers Centre and QMSU held the university’s first ever media summit last week, featuring leading journalists from Channel 4 news and the Independent.

Professor John Rentoul was the keynote speaker and gave the audience an insight into the profession, industry tips and his experience of being a journalist.

Here are some of the best bits from the event:

Specialism vs Variety
The decision over whether to specialise or report on a range of topics is something which young journalists often find difficult. It’s often a bigger issue for news journalists, than those who want to be arts journalists and can more readily narrow down their area of specialism to art, food, fashion etc.

Many feel that specialising will close doors and variety will open them. This is something which keynote speaker John Rentoul disagreed with. He urged students to find and develop a specialism, with the caveat that this could change over time.

“Having a specialism gets attention from the commissioning editor.” John said that editors don’t have time to research journalists for every story so they regularly pick the same people who are well known for producing material on a particular topic. This is where having a specialism can be an advantage but notoriety needs to accompany this and this is what many budding journalists find tough.

Getting noticed online
Making a name for yourself as a journalist online can seem an impossible feat. The large quantity of online bloggers has increased the competition in getting published, as employers now have so much choice. When asked about what aspiring journalists should do to stand out online, John emphasised the use of Twitter.
“It’s completely changed the way journalism works in this country.”

He added: “It’s not difficult to get published these days, it’s difficult to get noticed.” With virtually everyone having the ability to self-publish, the difficulty moves from getting work out there to getting it an audience.

Finding stories and overcoming challenging interview tasks
Demonstrating journalistic qualities can be a struggle for those hoping to pursue a career in media. Hannah Livingston, Channel 4 Dispatches and Firecrest Films, spoke of her previous interview experience which involved being asked to find three original stories in a couple of hours. The interviewers had already read the stories in the local newspapers, so the challenge meant speaking to the public to unearth something original.

Although the prospect may seem daunting Hannah said: “That’s how you find stories, by talking to people.”

She advised students to immerse themselves in the chosen area. “If you want to get into TV journalism, watch as much TV journalism as you can.” An awareness of the specialism is essential in any line of work but in a constantly changing industry such as media, it is especially important. Employers often ask you to review previously aired programmes, published articles or their website so it pays to be in the know.

Making the most out of every opportunity
All of the guests spoke of the importance of gaining experience and skills, as well as building networks at every opportunity. Student media received unanimous support as a pathway for budding journalists. It is a great way to improve your writing skill and get published during your degree. In addition to the more obvious skills you develop.

Many students expressed frustration with the culture of unpaid internships which are commonplace in media. Hannah Livingston said that she was told to,”work for free but don’t work for nothing.” Make sure you always get as much as you can from any work experience you do…. ask them questions, make contacts etc.

Rebecca Coxon, who graduated from Queen Mary last year, got her position at the BBC following her successful application to the BBC Production Talent Pool. To apply for this year’s intake visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee-schemes/ptp, opening for applications 18 February. Rebecca, who is now a Production Management Assistant for BBC Factual, said that although her position is entry level she has been able to make useful industry contacts.

Who you know or rather who knows you, was a reoccurring theme throughout the summit. However those hoping to get into media shouldn’t be put off by this. Sources are essential for journalists when it comes to stories and can also be a way to secure work.

John stated the importance of who you know but pointed out that, “if you’re determined enough you can make those contacts yourself.”

Speaking about useful resources and organisations Rebecca mentioned Creative Pioneers for their speed meet events. Creative Pioneers offer paid internships to successful final year students and graduates.

Alex Thomson said: “Starting as a runner is just one route. Any way you can get through the door get through the door, get through the door.”

Investigative journalism
The prospect of becoming an investigative journalist intrigued a number of audience members. It’s one area where having a low profile can work in your favour.

Hannah described the work of an investigative journalist as fantastically exciting, but at the same time a huge liability. It’s for this reason that you need “fresh skins” as having a huge media presence eliminates your ability to carry out investigative work for obvious reasons.

Alex Thomson, Chief Correspondent Channel 4 News, said that all journalism is investigative and that there is no big abyss between the two. “Investigative journalism, is just journalism with a budget and time.”

Big names vs independent media organisations
Each guest encouraged students not to rule anything out when it comes to accepting offers from local or less well-known publications. Edwin Lampert, Group Managing Editor, Riviera Maritime Media, a trade publication, said: “Don’t miss opportunities from tech or b2b publications.” With a magazine for practically every leisure activity from knitting to fishing, and for every industry from IT to teaching, there are endless possibilities for students and graduates to build up their experience.

Trade, tech and business to business (b2b) publications are areas of opportunity often neglected by would-be journalists. Big media organisations aren’t the only places to offer graduate roles and applying to more specialist publications can mean less competition and you could end up doing something you really love.

If you missed the media summit you have a chance to hear what the speakers had to say about getting into media. We interviewed some of the speakers after the event and you can catch the videos here and on our QM Careers YouTube page very soon.

Alannah Francis
Careers Administrative Assistant
QM Careers Centre

Want to work in the media?

It may sound cheesy, but if you’re passionate about a career in the creative industry you’ll need to get creative with your job search and applications.

Quick tips:

• Make the first move- With a rumoured 60% of jobs not advertised, according to Guardian Careers, approaching employers with the intention of securing work experience, an internship or even a job can be a great way to find openings. Plus this instantly shows that you have a real interest for an organisation and what they do.

• Freelance- An alternative way of getting your work in a national newspaper or publication. Most newspapers have details of how to contact them about submitting articles and photographs on a freelance basis on their website.
• Blog- Not just for writers! If you’re interested in photography WordPress and Blogger have free templates which are a great way to showcase your work.  A blog can instantly illustrate to employers your understanding of the industry and your passion for it, as it’s something you’re doing in your spare time.

“I’ve been asked to send the link for my blog to employers as part of my application for writing and editorial roles and it is something increasingly asked for.”

• Tweet- Apart from your friends and family it can be hard to get an audience for your blog so put the link in your bio to increase traffic. You can link your blog to your Twitter and Facebook accounts too so that followers can be notified of each new post. If you’re keen to get into film or TV uploading projects onto a YouTube page can be a great way to showcase your work and organise an online portfolio.

“But remember to be professional! This doesn’t mean you have to be boring but think before you tweet. I’ve been asked for my Twitter username as part of my application and I’m now followed by @Oxfamfashion after an interview there for an internship.”

• Portfolio- Bring a collection of your best work along to interviews. This way the interviewer can see first-hand your writing or photography skills.
• Contribute- Whether it’s student media or the marketing campaign of a society run event, there are countless chances to demonstrate your creative side on campus.

“Regularly contributing to student media throughout my degree has been a great addition to my CV. With so much freedom on what to write about I was able to gather extra material for my portfolio, in areas which would have required far more experience elsewhere.”

• Go Local- Don’t neglect local publications in your search for opportunities.
• Get feedback- If you happen to be unsuccessful in receiving an offer after an interview, ask for feedback.

“I’ve had a few rejections but asking for feedback has led to offers of other positions and recommendations.”

• Network- Connect with people in your chosen field and let people know what you want to do. They may see opportunities or events which they can inform you about.  Events are great places to network, check out the list below.

“I tell practically everyone I meet that I’m actively pursuing a career in journalism. In my current role it’s meant that I get to write blog posts like this and just last week my friend invited me to a River Island press day. My friends, family and work colleagues are always directing me to vacancies and events and this way I hardly miss a thing.”

Events

Queen Mary Media Summit 2013- hear about current issues affecting the media, and hints on how to build a career from alumni and other industry professionals.

Marketing and PR Panel, Thursday 7^th February- This panel brings together representatives from a variety of organisations to deliver short presentations on what it is like to work in marketing and PR.

IPA Ad School Open day, 29th January- Practitioners from all the different disciplines in advertising, creative and digital media are joining Metro and the IPA to showcase the industry.

Channel 4 talent days-taking place in York on Thursday 21st February, more dates and locations TBA

News Associates are running free journalism workshops once a month in London until August. Check out the dates here.

The Network- a free intensive introduction to working in the TV industry, you’ll spend 4 days in Edinburgh learning practical TV making skills from top programme makers.

Jobs, work experience and training

ipaper student competition, deadline 28 January

Marketing Internship (Contemporary Music), Barbican Centre, deadline 11 February

Working Title Films’ Training programme, deadline 18 February

Channel 4 work experience, applications for 2013 work experience open on February 18th, April 15th and August 19th for two weeks.

Graduate Trainee, Alain Charles Publishing Ltd, deadline 10 February

BBC Production Talent Pool-The PTP works like a Temp Agency, and offers of work come up when programmes need short-term assistance, opens late February

Useful sites

Go think big

My first job in film

Gorkana Journalism and PR Jobs

@Latimergroup

Ideas tap

Wannabe Hacks

Alannah Francis
Careers Information Assistant
QM Careers Centre

Job hunting in the creative services industry: know your audience!

There’s no strict formula for job applications – even more so in the creative sector. With industries that are pushing the boundaries of how businesses communicate, it’s often important to prove that you are as forward thinking and tapped into what’s going on as they are. Candidates are finding many different ways to communicate their value to creative employers; from videos to animated CVs. It can be a particularly useful way of getting noticed when applying speculatively, rather than responding to a particular vacancy, which is a common way of getting experience in this industry. Here’s one we found that caught our attention: http://player.vimeo.com/video/21228618

But before you get your camcorder out, it’s worth knowing that these types of applications need to not only be backed up by lots of research into the company, but also well executed. This industry is all about standing out – don’t let it be for all the wrong reasons.

Having a unique selling point is important when it comes to these sorts of jobs – your employer is going to be selling your services to their clients, and you need to be part of the killer sales package – it might be that you’re a pro with the latest design software, or you might even be an expert in building relationships with clients. A useful thing to do is to research the company – find out what makes them special within the market and gear your application to show how you fit in with that ethos. If the design company you’re applying for is the best in the field for 2D animation, tailor your CV to show that you have similar strengths. Similarly, if the company doesn’t deal with Facebook, spending heaps of time discussing your use of it might not be a beneficial use of words.

The Guardian has put together a list of 7 deadly sins that graduates often commit when applying for jobs in the creative services sector. Use this as a heads up to avoid making similar mistakes when you come to apply for these types of roles. And remember, if you’re unsure about your application form, CV or interview technique, our Careers Consultants are on hand to give you advice and feedback.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/seven-deadly-sins-creative-application?CMP=

Josh Lee
Employer Engagement Administrator
QM Careers Centre

Internships and graduate roles in TV and film – applications now open!

SEO London, in partnership with Creative Access and Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (PACT), is offering a number of internships and graduate roles in film and television.  The positions are being made available through the Indie Diversity Scheme Platform and the participating members, looking to recruit, include All3Media, Enemol, Hatrick Productions, KEO Films and Shedmedia. For more information and a list of the roles available, take a look at their website.

Remember that the Careers Centre is here to provide advice and feedback on all stages of your application process, from choosing the right position and tailoring your CV to practicing your interview technique. Drop in to WG3 Queens’ Building or call on 020 7882 8533 to see how we can help you.

Job Opportunities for Black and Ethnic Minority Students in the Creative Industry

If you are a black or ethnic minority student looking to embark on a career in the creative industry you may be interested to hear about Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) London.

SEO London is a not-for-profit organisation focused on improving access into the most competitive professions for students from under-represented ethnic minority backgrounds. Every year they provide hundreds of outstanding undergraduates with direct access to the very best graduate employers and a comprehensive training and networking programme to ensure black and ethnic minority students benefit from the best graduate opportunities.

This year SEO London have teamed up with Creative Access, a charity which aims to provide graduates from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds with access to the creative industries, to offer internships and graduate jobs in publishing, TV, film, radio and theatre production.

Check out the SEO London’s website for a range of roles, from runners to apprentice producers, at a variety of organisations including Harper Collins, ITV, and Stage One.

At the moment the roles listed are for graduates or recent graduates but SEO London will soon be launching internships and work experience placements aimed at first and second year undergraduates. So keep an eye on the website for updates!

If you are selected for an interview with Creative Access partners, SEO London will help you to prepare for it by giving you a mock interview and checking over your CV. If you successfully secure a job you will be provided with a senior creative industry mentor and a comprehensive training programme to ensure the best possible start to your future career.

So what are you waiting for?  Register for job updates and send an updated version of your CV to creativeaccess@seo-london.org now!

Do you want to work in the media: journalism, TV or radio?

If that is your career ambition then you will be expected to have a good amount of work experience whilst you are still a student.  The great news is that QM offers you loads of ways to get involved. Here are a range of opportunities:

Journalism

• QMessenger, the newspaper (current editor: Caz Parra and next year’s editor: Sean Richardson, people should email editor@qmessenger.co.uk)
• CUB, the magazine (current editor: Tom Stevenson and next year’s editor: Anna Matheson, people should email editor@cubmagazine.co.uk)
• London Student – email editor@london-student.net
• The Angle – email babs.williams@newturn.org.uk
• Elephant – email matthew@teekay.me
• Zine Mary – the guy who does this is called Robert Pritchard but I don’t have an email for him
• QMSci – email editor@qmsci.com
• QMessenger.co.uk, website (current editor: Alex Penn and next year’s editor: not yet decided, people should email editor@qmediaonline.co.uk).

TV/Radio

• Quest, the radio station (current station manager: Maria Sowter and next year’s station manager: Chris Smith, people should email maria@questradio.co.uk)
• QMTV, television station (current station manager: N/A and next year’s station manager: Ozzy Amir, people should email drama@qm-tv.co.uk).

And if nothing here floats your boat then why not set something up! Schools often have retention funds that don’t get spent, there are theWestfieldand Prospect funds as well as other sources of external funding.

Abi Sharma

Getting Work Experience and Making Your Application Stand Out – Tips from the BBC

As you may know from our blog post last week, the BBC has launched its Production Talent Pool scheme for people interested in working in broadcasting and media.

The speaker also gave tips on getting work experience as well as  how to make your application stand out. His excellent advice is useful for applying to media opportunities in general – not just if you are interested in the BBC.

Application Know-How

• Tell your story in a creative and compelling way – the BBC is interested in entertainment, so make yourself a protagonist, not a secondary character
• Read and consider their questions carefully
• Don’t be afraid to think outside the box – avoid dull, standardized answers that don’t reflect who you are, but keep to the point!
• Don’t think about what the BBC wants. As long as you’re creative and original, the BBC wants YOU!
• Be specific – when discussing your past roles and experience, clearly state what your role was and what tasks you accomplished
• Talk about what’s unique about yourself, whether it’s writing essays or film scripts
• Post weblinks to your blog or website to provide samples of your work

Short on Experience?

Getting work experience in the media isn’t just about doing a 3-month internship for a glossy magazine. It’s also about pursuing your interest by making use of all the resources available to you, such as the Internet. Here are some great ways to build a portfolio for yourself and gain valuable new skills:

• Get involved in anything, whether it’s a student newspaper or promoting a local charity, to show your interest in the field
• Start a blog – great for honing your writing skills and showcasing your work
• Create a media presence for yourself – start using such social media platforms as Twitter, LinkedIn or even Tumblr to make your voice heard.
• If you’re politically engaged, join causes and forums and participate in online discussions to support your ideas
• Contact organizations and groups you’re interested in to ask about work experience schemes

Raluca Maria Chereji
2nd year French and politics student at Queen Mary