Audience Marketing Manager Review

I had a very enjoyable year and was trusted with a lot of responsibility from the start. Although a little daunting at first there was help around and towards the end of the year I didn't want to leave.

The office is very open and I felt I could approach anyone in my team for advice, and they also asked me for insight into the student audience or how I approached a particular marketing activity.

My manager supported me very well, with catch up over tea whenever I felt the need. We also had a more formal monthly session to discuss career development, which he helped me with by advising me on what else I should be doing in my year. I also (with my managers help) had a fantastic support network of mentors from the business whom I met on a regular basis to learn from.

There were some highs and lows within my year but this was the nature of marketing to a student audience. I never felt too busy to cope though or too quiet to be bored. When there was a low there are plenty of opportunities of training to take up.

I was the marketing manager for the student audience so it was up to me to take the lead with decisions and drive the marketing forward, with key stakeholders.

I developed a range of soft skills ( working with others etc,) and hard skills ( like exams in Word and Excel) that I can put on my C.V and use in the future.

My team was fairly large so there was always someone in to talk to and have lunch with. Fridays were quiet as Microsoft promotes flexible working so many took the option to work from home. But there are plenty of interns to talk to!

From the open day we were invited to beforehand and the buddy scheme, paring current interns and prospective interns together, and induction week, the internship worked well.

I used the opportunities of online training, and microsoft office exams too. Training is open to anyone and there is a wealth of resources online. I also attended a few in person courses, like 'writing for the web'.

There is a graduate scheme which I am aiming to come back on but the competition is tough as you are competing against all the other interns from your year plus external candidates. It pushes you to make the most of your year though if you are serious about coming back.

We had a couple of events throughout the year, at Christmas we had a river curise and dinner along the river Thames and onto a club. Outside of the orgnaised social events we went out at the weekend as there was always someones birthday, or just a party at someones house!

It is more expensive than Leicester where I go to Uni but not as bad as London prices.

It was ok, Reading has a Uni so there are a couple of good student pubs but no amazing places. We are very close to London though with trains in the night.

Plenty of sports and social clubs - practically anything you can think of! Football, go-karting, running, and photography!! If there isn't one, make one.