15 December 2009 - School of Management encourages more diversity in PR and communications sector
The School of Management hosted a visit from six London interns as part of a national project to encourage more black and minority ethnic graduates to look at careers in communications and PR.
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From left: Jenard Dyer, Junior Ayanbeku and Dr Nigel Locket |
Dr Nigel Lockett, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, gave a masterclass on innovation - a key skill for people working in communications. The masterclass was also an MBA taster if the interns later want to continue their studies.
Harrogate-based Northern Lights PR worked with international headhunters, Taylor Bennett - which specialises in corporate communications - on an internship programme for six graduates from the University of East London. The agency is planning to launch a similar internship in Yorkshire next year as part of Northern Lights¿ twentieth anniversary celebrations.
This year's graduates were rounding off their ten week internship with a two day visit to Yorkshire, meeting the region's leaders from Pace, Yorkshire Forward, Bradford City Council and Welcome to Yorkshire. The interns also watched preparations for Northern Ballet Theatre's rehearsal of Christmas Carol at Leeds Grand.
Victoria Tomlinson, ceo of Northern Lights PR, said: "Skills in corporate communications are needed by businesses, public sector and voluntary organisations - but there is a shortage of black and minority ethnic candidates choosing this career path. When we heard about this internship, we knew it was right for Yorkshire.
"These six young people were selected from 200 applicants in a gruelling three day interview process. We are sure they will have successful careers ¿ and we also want them to be Ambassadors for Yorkshire as they progress."
The leaders they met¿ who included Tom Riordan, Theresa Lindsay, Gary Verity and Tony Reeves - talked about the opportunities within Yorkshire, the challenges of competing with `the South¿ and community leadership and cohesion.
Intern Jenard Dyer said: "As a team, we carried out research before our visit and that started to change our perceptions. Meeting the region¿s leaders and seeing Saltaire, Harrogate and Leeds really blew our minds. We had imagined very rural areas before and a lot of sheep. We couldn't believe how much business there is here - there are definitely opportunities to work with Yorkshire in the future as we go into our communications jobs in London."
The six interns are Junior Ayanbeku, Jenard Dyer, Param Lard, Claude Peters, Charlotte Robertson and Tina Tama. Their blog about the visit can be viewed at http://www.unicornjobs.com/posts/interns2009/.
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For more information please contact Ruth Badley or Victoria Tomlinson at Northern Lights PR on 01423 562400