CASE STUDY: wORKPLACEMENTS

After Zainib’s placement year, The People’s Orchestra offered to employ her full-time, to oversee the community hub project. Upon starting university, Zainib took up the Marketing position in her spare time, where she is currently studying for her Masters in Business and Management.

Zainib was keen to take on more tasks, and so now she also helps with promotion and organisation of social activity events such as parties, and has control of the creation of digital content. She finds using Instagram a vital tool in promotional campaigns and regularly posts updates on social media. Section: “We have a community hub page and a website which I manage directly; I also update our mailing lists. The whole process from writing to sending out press releases is very fulfilling. This year I’ll be working more and more with data collection and specific projects.” 

Zainib’s plans after graduating include gaining a qualification in Marketing, such as a Masters or a Chartered Institute of Marketing Diploma. “I want to work across all channels in TV – whether it’s marketing, promotion or management” she says. 

After working with the orchestra for her placement, Zainib has returned to Aston University to continue her studying and is working towards gaining a position in Marketing.  

Working for The People’s Orchestra has been an amazing experience for me. When I applied at the Orchestra, I had thought that I wouldn’t get many opportunities but that wasn’t the case. The People’s Orchestra is working non-stop and there’s a lot of opportunity for everyone out there. I gained a lot of work experience, and even got the opportunity to get paid work.

The most fun part me must be working with the staff on promotional and marketing activities for the concerts. So, I would be contacting newspaper editors and getting articles in the newspaper, TV promotions, creating the press release, and all activities behind the scenes for the actual concert date. When you can see the progress and all the hard work that goes into the concert it is a proud moment, and it motivates you to do even better the next time.

The staff have been amazing, very friendly and will make you laugh to the point you can’t breathe. I have not only gained work experience in relation to my degree, but also have developed as a person, I have become more confident.

This is all because Sarah saw capabilities in me which I never knew I had and pushed me to bring out the best in myself.  Anyone who wishes to gain more skills and enjoy their work experience, should work at The People’s Orchestra, no matter what their subject”.

Volunteering is much more than just volunteering; it provides great experiences, boosting confidence