PRESS RELEASE: PLACEMENT PROGRAMME REACHES OUT TO STUDENTS AND BUSINESSES ACROSS LONDON

6th April 2011: Step launches 2011 programme search for London’s Most Enterprising Students and Graduates

With graduate unemployment levels at historic highs, the UK’s leading paid student placement and internship provider today announces it is expanding its programme across London to enable more students and graduates to gain the experience which could be vital to landing a permanent job.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“It is essential that graduates move successfully from academic to working life and a place on an internship scheme is a fantastic way to start out. I am delighted to support a programme that not only works to provide real opportunities for graduates, but that also directly helps to enhance the competitiveness and productivity of the capital’s businesses.”

For 2011 Step is working with two new key partners to help expand the number and range of opportunities available across London. The Careers Group (University of London) are giving Step a major boost this year by offering the placement programme to their employer partners for the first time, and will be working closely with Step’s other new partner Real World Magazine. Existing partner WEXO (Work Experience Online) will continue to focus on the creative industries and SMEs and the partnership will be managed by the central Step team.

Every summer STEP places hundreds of undergraduates to run business development projects tailored to their individual skills and career ambitions. And following a highly successful trial supported by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) in 2010, Step will now continue to also offer opportunities to recent graduates.

The 12-week placements give students and graduates the chance to generate results which could provide a real boost to their employment prospects whilst gaining relevant and meaningful work experience. The programme, has delivered more than 23,000 projects in SMEs since it began in 1986.

Small businesses, which still may find themselves stretched in the current economic climate, also benefit from the projects, which can deliver substantial financial rewards. Every year, almost half (48%) of Step students add more than £5,000 worth of value to their host business, while a fifth (17%) have added more than £30,000.

Students and graduates can apply for a wide range of placements ranging from designing websites and bespoke software to devising marketing strategies and identifying potential new markets.

The programmes have helped deliver paid placements to companies ranging from Manchester United’s London offices to innovative new London Gin distiller, Sipsmith and internet sensations Mydeco.com and Skimbit to property company Ivy Lettings.

Philip Donnelly, Programme Director at Step Enterprise, said: “Step is a direct and practical response to the challenge that tens of thousands of UK graduates face when they move from the world of study into employment. I am delighted that with our new London partners we will be creating more opportunities for meaningful placements right across the Capital.”

Students and recent graduates can find out more and apply for a placement in London at www.wexo.co.uk Towards the end of their placement all candidates will write a blog on their achievements and personal development, which will be entered into the ‘Most Enterprising Student’ awards.

Businesses that have a potential project opportunity should email info@wexo.co.uk or visit the website for more information. Applications received by April 30th will benefit from a special Spring discount offer.

~ENDS~

For more information contact Robin Kennedy on info@wexo.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Step is a direct response to the challenge that tens of thousands of UK graduates face when they move from the world of study into employment.

Step has received a range of national and regional Government funding in past years, and until 2009 was sponsored by Shell UK. Following Shell’s withdrawal of support in 2009-10, Step Enterprise have worked hard to develop and enhance the programme, creating a sustainable focused entirely on the needs of participating students, graduates and employers.

I’m part-way through my internship at Sipsmith Independent Spirits, where I’m devising a digital marketing strategy to support the company’s expansion.

Sipsmith is a very idiosyncratic company, with a brand of humour as distinctive as the brand itself. I’ve had no difficulty in picking up the punch lines. Of course, a measure of contentment is laughter. Not only do I chortle regularly, but I’m also whistling as I work. I feel welcome here.

This hasn’t felt like an internship. I have a huge amount of autonomy. Sipsmith relies on the initiative and self-motivation of its people. There isn’t time for nannying interns, that’s for sure, but I can always ask a question. The answer’s always forthcoming.

I haven’t worked in marketing before, so I’ve had to brush up on terminology and methods. It took me a while to adjust to strategic thinking, being more used to creative and academic working methods. However, I feel I understand what I’m doing now, what I’m trying to achieve and how this will, ultimately, help the company. My input is useful, and it’s rewarding to know this.

I wouldn’t have been able to do this internship without payment (using the STEP programme that WEXO promotes) – and quite rightly too. Interns should be paid for good work.

John Garden

My internship with Skimlinks was my first taste of paid work experience. Every day at Skimlinks represented a new learning curve, all in the company of a very friendly team. When I first started, my colleagues were always willing to help me out and were open to answering all my questions. The company has a very open culture and everything (good or bad news) is shared with the employees. One of the best parts about working here is that the founders of the company are easily approachable.

In particular, I’ve loved coming into work on Fridays. On Fridays, Spotify cranks out great music all morning and then in the evening we all typically all go for a round of drinks at a nearby pub. The company is very conveniently located at Old Street, one of the best London locations for clubbing or going to a pub after work. The Skimlinks Christmas party was an experience in itself! Interns are also welcomed with a social evening of chats and drinks, which makes for a truly great experience.

I didn’t even notice how fast the time flew by and I’m nearly at the end of my internship. As a small company, the work environment is exciting but also quite relaxed; it feels very different to that of a big company. The work ethic at Skimlinks is strong, but of course there’s an element of fun to what we do.

WEXO does a great job arranging these kinds of internships. And, yes, thanks to the STEP program the internship allowance comes tax free! No complaints here.

Sourav Kumar

Last year, we gave one of our members the chance to grab an exclusive seat at Vogue UK’s biannual trend talk. The one and only Emily Zak (of our “How I Made It In Fashion” event panel) gave out the inspiring chestnuts of fashion know-how that will be driving all the major trends this spring. Take a look at Tamsin’s guest post on the event below, and remember: you heard it here first!

So what is in store for Spring/Summer 2011? Vogue’s Emily Zak presented an overview from the collections highlighting the key trends for the coming season.

The spring/summer 2011 catwalks were dominated by a storm of COLOUR, as opulent tones, worn in daringly clashing blocks, emerged across designers’ collections. See Gucci, below on the left.

Another key look for the season is SPORTS WEAR. Sleek, well-cut and modern looks with a glamorous edge shone through for S/S as seen (above, right) in Isabel Marant’s collection above. Whether it is just focussing on details such as zips, racer backs and hi-tech fabrics this trend is accessible for all.

As an alternative to the camel tones worn throughout the Autumn, NUDE fabrics will be a big feature this spring. Soft and gentle tones in both delicate and tough fabrics will provide a chic alternative to the season’s brighter colours, as seen in Chloe’s S/S collection below.

As in previous seasons, DENIM is not going anywhere. However, rather than skinny jeans it will be all about loose fitting, low slung cuts best worn belted. (See Elie Tahari S/S below).

Contrasting from previous seasons soft and floaty whites, this season embodies precision TAILORING. Sharp crisp well cut pieces as seen in the LiLee show above require few accessories to complete the effortlessly tailored look.

Beautiful deep BLUES and zesty ORANGES make a significant appearance this Spring. Eye-catching soft silks and satins in various shapes and forms light up the collections as seen in Matthew Williamson and Fendi below.

Tamsin Vaughan

all images © Vogue.co.uk

Earlier this year after I completed an internship, the time came to start my job search. Whilst looking for a job I wanted to keep busy – having already gained an intern opportunity through WEXO in October 2009 at Extreme, I was keen to see what the site had to offer. I came across a position looking for a writer to join the London-based charity Kids Company. After the initial interview they were happy to take me on.

I felt, however, that the posting on WEXO was initially misleading as it was filed under the job section; it was only during my interview that I realised it was to be an unpaid position. I took the opportunity anyway and for two weeks was immersed in the Kids Company world. I went to a centre visit to see all the great work Kids Company does for young children in inner city London. I found the staff to be very welcoming and friendly which is always a massive plus when you are the ‘newbie’. For a journalism graduate I enjoyed reading all the different print media they produced and was itching to get down to some writing on their behalf. Unfortunately, it transpired that I was to be more of an editor than a writer. Initially I was disappointed with this but then was able to put my own stamp on pieces that I had edited.

I enjoyed my time at Kids Company and would have happily stayed there if I thought I was going to be paid for my contribution in the near future. Sadly, I had to leave for a job that was paid. I am still in touch with Kids Company and have put myself and a friend down to volunteer this Christmas as part of their volunteer team.

Catherine Andrade

Standing outside the House of St. Barnabas, a beautiful Georgian building, I felt sick. It was the morning of my interview and my nerves had the better of me.

I had moved to London two weeks previously, yet another graduate anxious to find a job. I spun off hundreds of applications, evading boredom through an incessant hunt, and landed an interview here.

During the interview I gave it some welly. The role had two aspects to it, both to assist the CEO and to help the charity to run a Life Skills Programme. The Life Skills Programme is a 12-week schedule of training, work experience and personal development for those who have been homeless and are looking to return to employment. It sounded quirky, unique and philanthropic: I liked it.

Within a week I had the job. I started just before the next programme began and at first helped to ensure that all the paperwork was ready for the programme to start. I was introduced to all the staff at the house and was given a special historic tour. Built during the eighteenth century, its original purpose was residential, hence the plethora of rooms and elegant interior. However, in 1862, after an interim in the House’s use, it was taken over to be put to use as a House of Charity. From then on the House of St Barnabas has continued to help the homeless in some shape or form.

I quickly learnt that this was no ordinary internship. Although primarily administrative, as part of the Life Skills Team, my role demanded perception and delicacy above all else. Helping the CEO too also proved a diverse and varied role. From researching projects to diary management and, of course, refining my mail & label merge skills, I was never sure what might come next!

Now, I have just two weeks left of my internship and can’t believe how quickly the time has gone. We are almost at the end of our programme and the volunteers are soon to graduate. During my interview, all that time ago, I was told, “No two days will be the same.” And that is exactly how my experience has been.

Philippa Record

Internships are almost like relationships – getting one that will be worth it requires a lot of energy and effort, and you never really know what the journey is going to be like, where it will lead or how it may end.

From that perspective, my time at Cowshed could be seen like love at first sight – a really rewarding, unique experience and one that you’d hope would last forever if circumstances allowed.

First, forget about the copying machine or coffee making and think more along the lines of hands-on experience: social media, e-commerce, design, you name it. Add a heaped spoon of motivation that can only be created by a team of people who genuinely love their jobs and do them so well that it makes you wonder whether you’ll ever be this good, too. Finally, stir in some passion for beauty, serve it up in Soho and things can hardly go wrong!

Working as an Online Intern at Cowshed gave me the opportunity to be creative, inventive and push my own boundaries in an environment where exciting things happen right now, in real time. Most importantly though, I genuinely enjoyed myself and believe the experience helped me to get where I am now, which brings us back to where we started.

My relationship with Cowshed has come to an end, but ends happily with a job offer from Google. Unless I’m wrong, getting a job you really want is exactly what the internship business is about, isn’t it? I guess it works then. Good luck on your way, everyone.

Kristyna Mistrikova

Often the majority of graduates struggle to find suitable internships or work experience placements straight out of university: this was my task. Luckily my career path was pretty clear to me, since I was keen to pursue a career in marketing.

After graduating from University in 2008 with a psychology degree and a Masters in marketing, I started searching for marketing internship roles which would help me to develop new skills. I spent hours calling companies, sending CVs, searching on Google and joining job agencies, which became both exhausting and frustrating. After numerous attempts and disappointing results, I started to worry about my future. My dedication and desire to find an internship was starting to wear off. I later spoke to a friend who introduced me to WEXO.

He revealed that his girlfriend had used it to find work and I thought to myself “why not?”. So I paid the £10 fee and applied for several companies. Within less than a week I’d received an email from a fashion company called Chris & Tibor.

Finally I was getting somewhere! I went for an interview and was offered the job. Working for Chris & Tibor was incredible. I felt right at home with people who were genuinely nice and allowed me to express myself. Plus, the internship was a hands-on experience: I was often given different responsibilities and the chance to do diverse roles, from online marketing research to collecting relevant data for office use. Everything about the internship was marketing-related, and gave me a realistic preview of my field of interest.

Working for Chris & Tibor helped me to acquire the skills and knowledge which are important for everyday work. I got the chance to experience the different roles that are involved in marketing and feel that I am better prepared to enter the world of work after this experience. This internship is one element of my overall success and I would describe it to other students as rewarding.

Thanks to WEXO I was able to find the role: without them I would most likely still be phoning companies, sending CVs and joining job agencies with zero results. I would highly recommended WEXO because you can get firsthand experience within companies, complete with rewarding responsibilities and challenges. The experience was a thrill and also satisfying.

Jadeed Boyi