Meet Elena Jones

Would you recommend doing an internship or placement?

It’s such a beneficial experience, especially if, as I was, you’re using it for your dissertation. It gives you real work to dissect. I never counted myself as hugely academic, but I was able to bring what I learnt in lectures to the job, and vice versa. An internship or placement also gives you more of a boost when applying for jobs, and if the internship or placement is successful, you may even get a full time job offer from that company.

What advice would you give to students who are considering doing an internship or placement?

100% just go for it. Look for your niche interests but also be willing to try something new, whether it’s a different job title to what you were after or an industry you know nothing about. You’ll learn on the job and you'll be so grateful you chose it.

What were the goals of your placement at One Stop Social?

To develop and implement a single marketing strategy for the company and to organise a large-scale event to showcase the brand.

What did you achieve during your placement?

I have had the opportunity to manage a convention for 1000 people, featuring 30 businesses. The level of responsibility I was given was very rewarding and the trust placed in me by the team gave me the ability to grow as a marketing professional and event manager. I was also able to see the effects of my strategy on the brand. Being able to recognise the positive impact my work had on the company was a great addition to the experience – something that comes from working for a small company, I think.

How has this helped prepare you for life after university?

I’ve gained a lot of commercial experience. Being actively involved in the growth of a new business and taking on most of the marketing activities for One Stop Social taught me a lot about what I will encounter in future jobs. In practical terms, I also have a lot of great content to add to my CV, giving me a better chance of securing a good job after I graduate.