This week’s blog has been guest written by Niamh Brodrick, who recently completed a week’s work experience at Carnsight for her university placement.
As a second-year Media and Communications student at Cardiff Metropolitan, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the kind of work I might want to pursue after university – but this week at Carnsight Communications has really helped me turn my vague idea of what I want to do into more of a clear picture.
Before starting my work experience here, I was both excited and nervous. I’ve always been drawn to the world of social media, but stepping into a professional environment is very different from university life. Those nerves disappeared almost instantly as I walked into the Carnsight office and I was greeted by a welcoming team and a supportive environment. I instantly felt comfortable in the space and everyone took the time to involve me in real tasks.
My activities
On my first day, I was given the opportunity to write a blog post for the Carnsight website – something I hadn’t done before, but a task I really enjoyed. I also created some Instagram content, which felt like a perfect introduction given my interest in social media. It was really satisfying to see ideas I’d put together being considered for real-world use and it made the experience feel more meaningful.
By the second day, I continued with Instagram content creation, but also began researching influencers for a client – helping identify potential partnerships that aligned with the brand’s identity and goals. It was a great insight into the level of strategy that goes into the smallest details of PR and marketing.
Midweek, I was given the task of helping write a monthly review for one of Carnsight’s clients, breaking down their social media platforms for the month. It was a valuable task that gave me a better understanding of how social media performance is monitored and assessed. Seeing how data and insights are used to shape future content – something I hadn’t explored much before but now see as an important part of effective communication work.
On my final day, I wrapped up the week by writing a blog post reflecting on my favourite marketing campaigns – this allowed me to reflect on what I find interesting and looking at campaigns through a more analytical lens made me realise how much work, creativity and planning goes into them.
A standout part of the week was how approachable the team were. Whether it was giving me helpful feedback on a piece of writing, explaining a process or simply checking in to see how I was finding things, everyone made the effort to help me learn and feel at ease. It was clear that they cared about making the experience valuable for me.
My learnings
This week has been incredibly valuable. I’ve learned so much in a short space of time, not just about PR and social media, but also my own strengths and interests. The Carnsight team have been so generous with their time, support and feedback and I’m really grateful for how encouraging they have been throughout.
This experience has definitely given me a new sense of direction and motivation. As I head into my final stretch of my degree, I’m excited to take what I’ve learned and continue with what I’m passionate about.
Thank you Niamh – it’s so nice to hear you’ve enjoyed your experience! To hear from another work experience student, have a look at what Anneka had to say.
