Taking my first tentative steps into the AD Communications building on Monday morning, I have to admit I was more than a little apprehensive. Having come from the backdrop of quiet, rural North Devon, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this bustling city firm and was afraid I’d be out of my depth as I entered blindly into the world of B2B PR and marketing communications; but I needn’t have worried.
As soon as I entered the building I was greeted by (HR Manager) Liz Deer who at once set me at ease and, after a brief introductory presentation, sat me down at my very own desk; ready to work. Thus commenced the week’s blur of activity that I was happily swept up in.
It’s hard to summarise all the information I’ve learnt from this merely brief introduction into marketing communications and the graphic arts industry. From learning about press releases and white papers to listening to client calls and sorting through an array of multi-lingual press cuttings, there certainly wasn’t a dull moment.
I also learnt skills that I can now transfer into my everyday life. For example one of my biggest worries of the week had been my general lack of technological knowhow and, having entered a world full of computers, social media and advanced printing technology, I felt this was fairly justified. However as soon as the startling realisation came that, up until this point I had avoided twitter like the black plague, the team set to work breaking through my old fashioned ways, resulting in the birth of my very first twitter account.
Also, to my delight, I discovered that I had unknowingly timed my period of work experience to coincide with the annual company team building event, this year in the form of a summer picnic. This was great not only from the obvious reason of having the chance to relax in the sun rather than work, but also as I got an opportunity to get to know the AD Communications staff better and see how well they all got on together as a team both inside and outside the office.
So looking back, what have I gained from this experience? Well the biggest realisation is the fact that really, print is everywhere, from the identification codes on the side of the juice bottle in your fridge to giant billboards by the side of the road, print is inescapably entwined with our everyday lives, and even with the on-set of social media and everything electronic it looks like it will remain very much a part of our lives for the foreseeable future.