Our guest blog is written by Holly Brook, a Pyschology graduate from University of Bath, who’s currently on a Marketing Internship with Step at Cherwell Packaging Limited; a leading distributor of cleaning and hygiene products, operating from branches across the Midlands.
I went to university with determination and drive, and came out lost and uninspired. Not that I didn’t enjoy it or think my time there wasn’t worth it, I just didn’t come out a high earning super psychologist that the 18 year old me expected. I was just another graduate of the pile of twenty some-things fishing for a job. I knew I was luckier than some, starting a blog business during my time at university had uncovered a passion for marketing and social media, and so my job hunt began there.
Blindly signing up to a few job sites and feeling underwhelmed, I began considering if I could bare serving drunk students Jäegar bombs for 8 hours a night again. Around this time, I spotted an advertisement for an internship at Cherwell Packaging in Southam. It was the perfect location for me and would be doing things I was interested in. I jumped on the opportunity and filled out my profile on the Step website.
Not long after, I received a phone call from step to have a chat about the job. I was asked a few questions about myself and given some information about the job. I was given some tips to improve my step profile and put forward to interview. After being invited to interview I received a number of phone calls from step, checking I was prepared. They really couldn’t have been nicer, which was great as I was nervous about my first ‘real world’ interview.
I got the job! Although since I’m writing this, you probably guessed. I got a phone call early one morning (sadly too early for a glass of bubbly) and I was to start in two weeks. Over those two weeks I had loads of contact with Step, they answered all my questions no matter how silly they seemed (“um help, I couldn’t get into the building” – awkward) and I had a lovely Skype call. I went into the first day of my job fully prepared and calm.
Even though before I started my job hunt, I hadn’t really considered an internship and definitely hadn’t considered going through an external company to get one, I’m glad I did. I’ve had support every step of the way from Step (see what I did there?) and still have it now if I need it. As for my internship, I’m really enjoying it. It’s given me the chance to look at different areas of marketing in a professional environment and see if it’s for me. I’m learning everyday and it given me my first step (there I go again) onto the marketing ladder, even without a marketing degree! I’m helping set up their social media with my knowledge and they’re teaching me about the business world with theirs.
Thanks to Step and thanks to Cherwell!
