Jianhao

Current student, International student, Placement student

I am studying an MA in Digital Media and Society which includes modules that cover research-motivated, real-world problems to build digital and creative skills.

During my studies, I undertook a Talent Match master’s internship – an extra-curricular programme run exclusively at Loughborough to give postgraduate students access to paid, professional work-based opportunities that develop employability, experience and skills.

My Talent Match internship experience

I worked as a Stakeholder Manager responsible for Electronic Direct Mail (EDM) campaigns, distributor and influencer outreach, wholesale platform management and so on.

As an international student, this was the first time that I’d worked in the UK. The whole loop from interview to finishing the very last work, like planning, researching, solving, communicating and so on, has helped me thrive during the internship. For example, I led the whole team through EDM campaigns ensuring everyone was involved from ideation to approval from the founders and campaign creation which incorporated EDM, the official website operating and social media running. We all worked as a team completing the campaigns as planned, resulting in great visibility, sales, and engagements. The encouragement behind the campaigns was significant in motivating me to keep moving forward and the experiences I’ve gained has helped me increase confidence in my abilities.

I’d never undertaken research on influencers and distributors or tried editing and designing EDMs through an official website. These experiences have helped me with understanding PR management for brands in the future, giving me an edge of securing the relevant job.

Applying for my internship

The process to apply for a Talent Match internship was easy – all I needed to do was submit my CV and cover letter for the job I wanted. 

I knew the Careers Network drop-in sessions would be helpful to seek advice and improve my CV, so I dropped in and asked a few questions to help enhance my CV for the job position I wanted to apply for. It is very important to prepare yourself early – your CV is the document you should work on after every achievement you have made, not just on the day you need to submit it. Gain experiences from any activity or work-related experiences relevant to your dream job and present them well in your CV.

My advice

To get the most out of an internship, constant communication with your colleagues is one of the key skills that always helps progress your work. Do not be shy or afraid – if you have ideas or thoughts, communicate!

I would recommend a Talent Match internship to other students as it’s a great opportunity to connect with employers and benefit from the growth it can bring to your career.

Jianhao
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