As a university student, figuring out which career path to follow can be really challenging. While initially drawn to roles related to my International Relations and French degree, I soon realised that wasn’t quite where my passion lay. However, my time at ilk has led me to consider a future career in comms!

Before starting at ilk, I was quite nervous and unsure about what to expect. With limited experience in PR, I was worried about whether I would be able to keep up with the team and how well I would fit in. However, the moment I arrived at the office, I was immediately made to feel at ease. Everyone was very welcoming and supportive, taking the time to introduce themselves and make me feel like a part of the team right from the start.

I was given the chance to wear a lot of hats during my work experience. I drafted press releases, simplifying intricate details into engaging stories for the media. Additionally, I handled media monitoring, staying updated on the latest news and trends—an easy task for someone with a social media obsession. This information was then reported back to other team members to help guide their work with different clients. Along with this, I compiled media lists, curating databases of journalists to target tailored to our target audience. Each task was a learning experience for me and helped paint a better picture of what goes on behind the scenes. 

One of the highlights of my time at ilk was definitely the brainstorming sessions for campaign ideas. Working together in this way felt collaborative and brought out everyone’s creative side. Plus, seeing how different perspectives sparked new ideas was always exciting. It was so fulfilling to share even the most out-there ideas without feeling judged, but encouraged!

But what really made ilk feel special was the people. The team was supportive, friendly, and always ready to lend a helping hand. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, one of the most important lessons I learned was that mistakes happen, and that’s okay. Instead of dwelling on things I perhaps could have done better, I learned from them and grew more confident in my capabilities. 

Reflecting on my short stint at ilk, I am incredibly thankful to the entire team for giving me a chance and being so understanding. To students considering work experience opportunities, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the plunge. It’s not just about gaining experience but discovering your strengths, learning from challenges, and building meaningful connections. It has been four incredibly fast weeks, and I am leaving with a set of skills that will help me tackle whatever comes next thanks to the ilk team.