Sophie Burleigh and Sonika Mistry, work experience students at The Ideal Marketing Company.
The Ideal Marketing Company has given two students the opportunity to experience working in a marketing agency first hand.
Sonika Mistry, a DMU undergraduate, and Sophie Burleigh, who is currently studying at Robert Smyth Academy and next year plans to study Creative Writing, are spending most of the summer finding out more about marketing and advertising industry. They both contacted The Ideal Marketing Company about a placement in the spring and beat off stiff competition to secure the 2 placements.
Sophie Burleigh, starting work 2 weeks after Sonika began the programme, is now the 10th student to have taken up work experience at the company in the past 3 years. So far all previous students who have completed the programme at the company have gone on to graduate into careers in marketing or journalism. One student has gone on to work in the branding department at Volkswagen HQ whilst another now works in the marketing division for Divine Chocolate in London.
Over their time at the company, the two girls have been involved in various tasks including market research, copywriting and digital marketing.
“Marketing is a very competitive environment. This year especially I’ve realised the importance that employers place on practical skills. In many cases, holding a degree isn’t enough. Gaining work experience here has been really helpful in giving me an advantage when applying for a job next year”, says Sonika Mistry, a third year Marketing Management student at De Montfort University in Leicester.
The Ideal Marketing Company currently has 7 members of full time staff, one of whom was offered the job after finishing an apprenticeship with the company. The company believes in supporting its staff with ongoing training. Two employees are currently studying different aspects of online marketing, with another 2 about to start on advanced writing programmes.
Managing Director Alastair Campbell says “Where we can, we like to take on students for work experience. It can be really hard to get that first role in the industry and we try to provide students with an experience that will hopefully help them to find employment after graduating”.
The Ideal Marketing Company, based near Harborough’s canal basin, works with approximately 40 businesses from across the UK, although most of their clients are based in the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. We moved to our current headquarters in 2012, and have since been able to take on students for work experience during term time holidays.
If you’re interested in taking part in work experience with us, email info@idealmarketingcompany.com
