Last year, after finishing my A-levels I was lucky enough to obtain a work experience placement at Core.

This year, having just completed my first year studying Journalism, Film and Media at Cardiff University and with the long holidays looming, I approached Core with the hope that they may let me return to the Core office for a second spell of work experience. They said yes and here’s how I spent my weeks at Core…

So what does an average day at Core involve?
8.30am - I hurtle through the door having just raced from the train station. The agency’s buzzing. Some members of the team have been here since 6.30am so by now the plans for the day are well underway. I should never have worried about walking into an office full of people that I hadn’t seen for almost a year, everyone is always so welcoming. To be honest, it felt as though I had never left!

By 10am - I have my head down, cross checking and compiling a database to help Charlotte Crossley, one of Core’s directors. Not the most stimulating work but great experience when it comes to learning more about Microsoft Excel and improving my IT skills. This is for a Public Consultation, giving me a clear insight into the whole planning process. I have also been told that I will be able to attend the event on the actual day, giving me the opportunity to meet the architects, project manager and property developers of the project.

“Having always been a big fan of Facebook, I was rather reluctant to conform to the newfound craze – Twitter”

Coffee on the run and I’m back to work ready to carry out research on various different social networking websites. My degree talks a lot about the influence these sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are having on our society. However, it is really useful to see for myself how these sites are being utilised in the workplace. Having always been a big fan of Facebook, I was rather reluctant to conform to the newfound craze – Twitter.

However, after being encouraged by Core to join the land of Twitterville, I can now admit that I am officially hooked! I can see how it can be used as both a social and corporate networking device. Besides becoming more aware of this application and process, I have also learnt many new research techniques such as digg.com and technorati.com.

12.30pm - The morning has disappeared quickly. Lunch for the Core team is important but usually taken on the run or at their desks inbetween meetings and deadlines. However, this week the Core Nintendo Wii Bowling Championships are approaching so it’s time to congregate around the LCD TV for some much needed pre-match practice!

1pm - I’m back at my desk and am very excited as I’ve been given a press release to write on one of Core’s very own designers Simon Hall, who has recently completed the UK Ironman. I had drafted various press releases when I was last with Core and although they did gradually improve throughout the summer, it was still something that I was particularly nervous about.

Working on this was great, especially as I had Simon on hand to tell me all about his amazing experience. Better still, I was later told that my press release was going out as it was, with very few changes! Wow! Now I will be watching all the local papers with anticipation, hoping it will get coverage.

6pm and the day is coming to an end. The office is still busy but it’s definitely home to bed for me. Being a student, I guess it may take a while to adjust to the reality of nine hour days. Nonetheless – I’ve already learnt so much that I can’t help but think what tomorrow’s day at Core may bring!

Six Weeks Later….
So here I am at the end of the summer, looking forward to a new term at University and once again saying goodbye to the Core team.  Thank you to you all. I have learnt so much and have enjoyed being part of a city centre full service agency.

I have absorbed so much from sitting in on client meetings and different brainstorming sessions and have come to learn how important team work is when it comes to getting the job done. Plus, on top of everything else, my highlight is that I managed to get my first piece of Ironman coverage in both the Tamworth Herald and The Birmingham Post. Fingers crossed this is just the start. Maybe Core will have me back again one day?