I initially heard about the job vacancy at MacComms for a student work experience in an email sent by the placements office at University. As a Global Business Management student with a huge interest in marketing, a job vacancy in a Huddersfield-based Marketing and PR organisation was an opportunity I could not miss out on.
When researching MacComms and its Managing Director, Ellie MacDonald, I became even more motivated to apply for this position. Reading Ellie’s profile interview in the Huddersfield Examiner, her leadership and passion for business was extremely inspirational and I knew I would be motivated in working for MacComms, a growing and successful business.
Following a successful interview, my first day at MacComms was an amazing start and insight into the fast-paced marketing and PR industry. I met Ellie at Café Ollo in the Media Centre for a networking meeting called MY Network Huddersfield and met key business-people based in and around West Yorkshire. Despite this being intimidating at first, I finished my coffee and put my best foot forward to exercise my communication skills in an attempt to represent a good image for MacComms.
Later on in the day, we went to Briar Court Hotel for the CCG panel meeting in regards to the #HandsOfHRI campaign which Ellie had lent support to. I recorded Ellie’s interview’s with BBC Radio Leeds and Kirklees Local TV, and it was interesting to learn that documenting the day through continuous updates on social media platforms was a useful PR tool. Afterwards, we returned to the office based at 3M Buckley Innovation Centre and I then scheduled social media updates using Hootsuite and Ellie gave me some supportive feedback on my performance.
Some could say I was thrown into the deep end, but I found my first day to be an electrifying start to put the theoretical teachings gained from University into a real business practice.
Managing Director of MacComms, Ellie said:
“Jahnae has demonstrated the most uplifting positive and enthusiastic attitude and importantly she has shown initiative. I’ve no doubt it was a daunting start to attend a networking event and then a campaign rally, but she dived straight in getting to know people, taking photos and videos and uploading them to social media. I am quite confident that Jahnae has a bright future ahead of her and I am delighted to welcome her as part of the MacComms team.”
The following weeks of work experience at MacComms have consisted of 9-5 days in the office where I have assisted creating newsletters and taking ownership of the firm’s social media management. I am looking forward to expanding my written communication skills when writing press releases and helping out with more business administration. I continue to admire and be inspired my Ellie’s passion and leadership skills, she is a great role model for women in business.
