The real value of working with our students
I have been to two events recently concerned with our industry linking closer with education. Firstly under my BIMA Executive role I was involved in the Inspiring Future Talent Awards and then secondly went to a Sky organised forum on ‘Creative Education into Industry’.
It would seem that the cross links between agencies and universities aren’t as good as they might be. Work experience or internship is more likely if the student’s Dad is a client than any formal arrangement.
Speaking for Redweb, we have always considered student placements as problematic, as in honesty they normally only become useful the day they leave. What would a client think if they knew a student was doing their work?
However as we have grown, it isn’t all hands to the pump and the company is now getting into a position where students can have a role to play. Some innovation, fresh thinking and off the wall (RIP MJ) prototyping is now called for. It can successfully supplement the tea making and chore demands of our power crazed junior staff, who the poor student reports to.
So we have our first real student with us now for the next month and have plans for more in the future. I now think giving undergraduates agency experience is a win-win all round. In the past, we have criticised the standard of graduates and their ability to be able to pick things up running. But, with no industry experience this catch-22 will never improve.
We have a great opportunity with Bournemouth University on our doorstep, the best undergraduates in the country (and that’s not just partying!) and some spare space in the office.
Facility sharing is another thought, a bank of Redweb desks for students to do their own work but soak up the agency experience. This also benefits our recruitment ambitions, introduces us to new people and brings the relationship closer together.
