My tenure here at Access began following a university showcase. Our showcase, much like your end of year show was set up by me and other members of my course to demonstrate just what we had learned and how it could benefit the creative industry. The showcase involved us working with a budget we gained following a pitch process to potential businesses and finding the right event space. Salford University supported us but it was very much our project. Being a part of that project opened my eyes to how lucky we were to have that opportunity. To actually meet and spend time with industry professionals pre graduation became the gateway to my career here at Access. Realising that plenty of others don’t get a similar chance we wanted to offer graduates something to work on which might lead to the chance to gain that valuable ‘on the job’ experience.
Last week saw the return of our Access Internship competition. In 2014 we received a wealth of entries from all over the country from graduates hungry to secure vital work experience following their time at university. Access is actively trying to teach students that there is life after university and that life includes a job. Personally I have attended portfolio/CV viewings, have delivered several lectures and was part of the brilliant ‘Employability Event’ with Creative Resource at MMU earlier in the spring.
Getting out there and proving your worth
For me, going out and talking with ‘soon to be graduates’ is an important part of giving you the skills to actively seek employment and make yourself stand out. It also helps you to feel comfortable in using social media to assist your search and begin talking with industry professionals. Moving into the working world doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does require you to make some effort. This is why, rather than having a simple application procedure we set all of our applicants a live brief. Meaning you can prove your worth and hopefully inspire us before actually setting foot in the office.
Here at Access there has always been a culture of passing on knowledge to colleagues and clients. We know what we know and we like to teach others about it. This is why we want to attract the best candidates from our campaign. We want you to share in the knowledge and learn from it whilst hopefully teaching us a few new things too. That way we all get to progress and improve. We’re well aware that most entry level jobs on the market will be asking for relevant experience.
An opportunity arises...
If you are wondering where you’re going to get that ‘experience’, then stop by and check out our competition. I’m eager to read through all the applications and start to interview candidates. Even more exciting is the prospect of having you coming to work for Access and gaining the knowledge you’ll need to start your own career.
So here’s wishing you all the best of luck. Be bold, be different, but most of all, be you.
Read here how 2014 Intern, Sophie Hall found her time at Access
