Gaining Real-World Experience: Nimishka’s Journey at Salford
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it can also feel like a big step into the unknown. As an international student studying MA Public Relations and Digital Communications at the University of Salford, Nimishka wanted a course that would help her develop practical skills while preparing her for a career in the communications industry.
Read on to find out how doing a placement has helped prepare her for her career and how she found this experience.
Discovering the placement opportunity
“One of my favourite things about my course is how practical it is – we don’t just learn theory, we work on projects that reflect real industry challenges, and doing a placement is a mandatory part of the curriculum to help you practise your skills in a professional setting.
“During my time at Salford, I was always looking for opportunities to gain real-world experience alongside my studies. I first heard about the opportunity to complete an internship with the university’s marketing team through internal communications and student opportunities.
I decided to apply because I wanted to develop my skills in a professional environment and gain a better understanding of how marketing teams operate. The chance to work alongside experienced professionals and contribute to real projects was something I felt would be incredibly valuable for my future career.”
My experience working with the Marketing Team
“As part of my placement with the marketing team, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of tasks and projects. These have included supporting marketing campaigns on Meta and Google AdWords and email, assisting with content creation, and contributing to digital communications initiatives.
Working within a professional team environment in the UK has been a great learning experience. I’ve enjoyed the UK office culture and seeing how marketing strategies are planned and executed, and how different departments collaborate to achieve shared goals.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about the internship is being able to apply the knowledge I’ve gained from my course in a real workplace setting. It’s rewarding to see how the skills we learn in the classroom can translate directly into professional practice.”
Building employability at Salford
Alongside my internship, there are many ways that the University of Salford supports students in developing their employability. From careers workshops and networking events to industry-focused assignments, students are encouraged to gain practical experience throughout their studies.
On my course, we’ve worked on projects that simulate real industry scenarios, which has helped me build confidence and apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Opportunities like these play a huge role in preparing students for the professional world.
Looking ahead to the future
“My placement has helped me develop my skills in communication, teamwork, time management, and digital content creation, which will help me stand out to employers. It’s also helped me gain a clearer idea of the career path I would like to pursue, and the confidence to go out and achieve this.”
Advice for other international students
“For other international students who want to gain work experience while studying in the UK, my biggest piece of advice would be to take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Attend events, explore internships, and don’t be afraid to apply for job roles that interest you.
Practical experience can make a huge difference when starting your career, and universities like the University of Salford offer many opportunities to help students gain the skills and confidence they need for the future.”