Source: http://www.studentgems.com
In our office we have been blessed with the presence of Lewis Wright, a communication student who wanted to gain some work experience during the summer with a PR agency. We are normally a little reluctant to offer work experience as it can take up an enormous amount of time and energy to train someone to do a job when you know they won’t be here in a week’s time.
That said, rather than have someone milling around for a few days doing all the filing we wanted him to have a real life experience and offered to put him on the books as a paid trainee exec for the summer. The benefits to us as an agency have been superb as he has brought some excellent ideas to the table and shown a determination to get the job completed right, first time. He has really become a part of the team and we are already feeling sad that he will be heading back to university in two weeks time and dearly hope he stays in touch.
I thought about the experience Lewis has had with us over the past two months building his portfolio after a conversation we had with Student Gems this afternoon, a company with a concept so simple and brilliant it will make you wish you thought of it. We need some graphic design work for a new mailing we are working on and were interested to hear what they had to offer. The company basically provides businesses the opportunity to take advantage of skills that students have or are training for at a reduced rate.
For example, if you need someone to take some photography but don’t have the budget for a professional photographer it will pair you up with a photography student who will be more than capable of taking the head and shoulders shot you require for a brochure at a fraction of the fee. The bonus for the student, (other than they get paid) is that they can start to build a portfolio straight away.
Genius. Take a look at their site and if you are interested in any of their services why not say hello to either Joanna or Sue – they are very nice and should be able to help. Please note that Student Gems isn’t one of my clients although I would dearly like to do the PR for this company….so maybe one day.
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