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Lucky UEL graduates learn the tricks of the PR trade

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Students

Six Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) UEL graduates have been successfully selected to take part in the Brunswick Graduate Internship Programme 2009, which will allow them to prepare directly for working in the field of public relations for 10 weeks.

The internship is especially designed to enable more applicants from BAME backgrounds to access careers in public relations. The scheme is supported by Brunswick communications – a corporate communications organisation with over 14 offices world-wide and is in conjunction with Unicorn Jobs and Taylor Bennett.

Now in its second year, the scheme has been set up by Femi Bola, Director of Employability and Heather McGregor of Taylor Bennett, a UEL honorary degree holder. Graduates started in September and will continue until the end of November.

Femi Bola said: "It’s fantastic that our students have this opportunity to grow and understand the world of PR and how they can get ahead. This year I want to expand the scheme and get more employers involved to offer sponsorship as well as internships."

During the programme, they will work on assignments in PR, communications, editorial, web and IT, office skills and career planning. The internship is paid for and ensures that all the graduates will also be made aware of the current market and the challenges it is facing as well as learning new skills to adapt to growing demands in the PR industry.

“We are delighted to equip the students with the necessary skills that will give them a good standing for future jobs during these difficult times.” Said Sarah Stimson, Director of the internship at Unicorn Jobs. “We offer excellent career advice and take graduates out of their comfort zones so that they can learn how to adapt, be flexible and gain the skills they need to get them on that first step up the career ladder.”

Over 70 graduates applied to attend two industry standard assessment centres for the scheme which concluded with the six successful graduates being selected. The interns will be based at Unicorn Jobs in Shoreditch.

The interns have started a blog, which can be visited at:

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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