Work experience - Birmingham - newspaper or PR agency

[roger white]

Hi - can anyone help find a work placement for a week or two for a 15/16 old boy at King Edwards school in Birmingham who is keen to get into journalism or PR for a career. He is looking to get a placement in a newspaper/magazine or an agency and learn what is involved.

As we are not local I hope you might be able to help. If anyone can help my client contact will be very pleased.

Many thanks
Roger

 

[seaniz]

Can I ask did you have any success as my son is in exactly the same position, Currently searching for a similar placement.

 

[ethical PR]

Hi

I would suggest it's probably going to be quite difficult for someone of that age to get a placement in an agency/newspaper as most will only take those that are 18+

However, if your son is interested in a career in PR/newspapers, it would be worth him doing a little legwork and showing some initiatitve himself , as this is more likely to impress and get him the work experience he wants.

PR is the top career choice for graduates, so highly competitive.

Newspapers/Radio Stations

• Do some research on google and get contact details for the news editors/producers of papers in his area
• Write a story based on a local issue that interests him and is relevant to the readership/listeners of his chosen media and send it to the media he wants to work for asking for work experience

Public Relations

• Suggest he contacts the regional Chartered Institute of Public Relations Group (www.cipr.co.uk) for the area he lives in and asks whether the chair whether they would circulate an email to members to see if any would take on a work experience student

Even if he doesn't get something this time around, he's building contacts for work experience opportunities, that may benefit him, when he's older.

He could also contact his local hospital radio station as they are often looking for volunteers.