Two Keele students have recently completed an Internship with a growing PR agency, Impress PR.

Steve Hargreaves, Business Engagement Manager at Keele University, said: “PR jobs and internships are really popular and there is tough competition for places nationally. Our team creates partnerships with local business to create opportunities which are exclusive to Keele University students and graduates. We source opportunities with established businesses such as Impress PR to ensure our students get a great experience.”

One of the interns, Ellie Fisher, is studying English at Keele and is interested in a career in Public Relations once she graduates. Ellie encourages other students to look at internship vacancies as she had such a good learning experience: “Public relations was always a career path I wanted to pursue, and this internship gave me the insight and experience needed to understand such a competitive industry.

“Throughout my time at Impress PR and working with Sophie Attwood, I was taken completely out of my comfort zone. Sophie gave me opportunities, such as attending multiple exhibits and showcases in London, to network with the company's clients within the aesthetics industry, to working with local charity Emmaus Potteries, and writing a press release for them that gained national coverage as well as featuring in The Sentinel newspaper.

“I feel that this internship not only gave me an experience of the public relations field, but it allowed me to hone my writing skills that I have developed at university and taught me how to apply them to fit certain contexts.

“The internship challenged me to think creatively and, from there, built up my confidence in my ability. I have met so many inspirational people through this opportunity, whom I have built strong and lasting relationships with. This internship has ascertained that this is a career I want to pursue after university. I would encourage any university student, no matter what year or academic discipline to apply for an internship through the scheme. The internship scheme will help you gain valuable experience into careers that you are curious about and will allow you to push yourself”

For information on the opportunities available through the Keele-Santander programme please visit www.keele.ac.uk/internships. Details of other business support programmes available through Keele University’s Business Gateway can be found at www.keele.ac.uk/business.

For information on the Santander Universities commitment to Higher Education, please visit www.santander.co.uk/uk/santander-universities.