An Interns Journey into the Industry

So as my time with The MotivAction Group comes to an end, reflection is heavily in mind, I thought it apt to inform the world of the wonders that await those thinking about applying for an internship or placement during or after the completion of a university Events/Marketing degree.

Almost a year to the day I received a wonderful telephone interview which swiftly lead into a recruitment day hosted at a lovely luxury events venue specialising in conferencing and training facilities that truly set the tone of what was in store. The next stage was a three day intensive field training programme to instil the basic knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for the busy summer period largely consisting of outdoor team builds – long hard days yet mostly fun for all. Here initial friends were established, the tone set and the journey into the industry began.

Following the completion of the final marketing exam and somewhat of a party, it signalled a pretty mega move from the South West to Hertfordshire setting up just down the road from the brand new barn conversion offices, (The Creative Enterprises Hub) the air of excitement was tasty indeed! The following months of June and July barely allowed the chance for catching breath whilst travelling the nation almost travelling circus styley with a merry band o’ men in an absolute whirlwind of team builds (everything from Bond, Medieval Celts to the Jungle), summer promotional campaigns, family fun days and tablet treasure trails galore.

Following this explosive period with the start of the summer school holidays and the corporate world taking its respective summer breaks allowed for a period of delving deep into the world of corporate B2B marketing. Duties were ranged from the preparation of promotional sales materials and social media content writing to the slightly less glamorous yet even more important data cleansing and inbox management. An area of huge relevance to previous studies and highlighting the importance of strong relationships with key suppliers.

As the holidays close and September rolls round signalling a heavily weather dependent period and a real mish mash of event types taking place across the industry from the first few ‘end of year’ awards and last few ‘summer get together’s. Even a trip out to Gibraltar on European activity tour! Asides from the live running of these my personal development took a new twist into the world of client services – sales support. An equally creative arm of the business where loosely discussed event concepts are taken from ideas to proposals with solid costs, spaces held and suppliers and acts booked up. Client decisions, relationships and payments then in turn decide the contacts, payment terms/methods/documents and are dealt with accordingly. This project management stage being the core of what all creative and corporate event agencies provide, to so the chance to learn such ropes proved the most pivotal moment in the journey to date.

Here the journey was intended to end, yet it merely continued into the darker months of the year. With the internship at an end and a short term contract as a Project Assistant beginning.

The colder and harshness of winter ushers the end of year awards ceremonies, casino nights and other themed evenings and of course Christmas parties! In all actuality an uplifting twists on an otherwise gloomy time of year. Being involved in huge conferences of this nature for Blue Chip companies really exposes your presentation, communication and ability to think on your feet with the key learning point being how important it truly is to pre-empt possible situations and pro actively have your solutions at the ready.

The Christmas period itself in a very lovely way lends itself to festive fun and incentive day/night outs resulting in whistle stop tour of London’s cocktail bars and numerous shopping malls on a festive promotional campaigns. Leaving an aspiring events professional very much in need of a good Christmas break.

Since the turn of the year the focus has very much been on establishing new business leads, campaigns and ensuring that regular events organized and operated are bigger and better than ever! Here potentially lays the largest challenge facing any agency in such a fiercely competitive industry and the battles faced are hugely beneficial in all areas of career and personal development. Just watch this space for some fantastic events possibly coming your company’s way this year!

I leave my tenor with the MotivAction Group having worked alongside some inspirational event professionals who constantly strive to out do themselves and the high standards they have instilled across the industry they helped to bloom. My knowledge and contact base has utterly transformed with a solid understanding of all areas of business and how to deal with the relevant issues accordingly.

I would firmly recommend any student or ‘first jobber’ to take up an internship positions as although from time to time you may well be tasked with the crucial task of making the tea of office removals but the fluid freedom throughout all sectors of the company, business and all importantly industry! Leaving one fully equipped to confidently step into many roles as a ‘second jobber’ armed with a solid level of knowledge.

For all opportunities with the MotivAction Group; See the careers tab - http://www.motivaction.co.uk/aboutus/careers.html