Rachel Jones

What are you doing now?

I am currently working at Glass Digital as an Outreach Executive for my placement year during the Communication and Public Relations degree. My job role includes working on client campaigns and liaising with journalists, editors and bloggers for PR opportunities.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

I chose to study at Northumbria as I researched into the various courses available for the industry I wanted to work in and the quality of the support available by the academic staff and faculty. By living close by, I knew that it would be a great place to study whilst still having a home life with friends and family.

What is it like studying at Northumbria?

Studying at Northumbria for my first two years of my degree was a great experience and enabled me to grow academically and also professionally. Lectures were interesting and relevant and allowed me to explore the industry I was most interested in. I also met a lot of people with similar interests and made lots of new friends in class and on campus.

What impressed you most about our academic staff?

The academic staff are a vital part in the learning process and are there to help every step of the way. They allow each student the time to discuss any issues and problems on a one-to-one basis to ensure that they’re performing to their highest potential.

Lectures and seminars are well put together and structured, allowing students to engage with the topics thoroughly. There’s plenty of time allocated to work in groups to get to know people more and to explore different ideas and opinions.

How connected is your course with industry?

The course has great connections within the industry and allows us to become members of professional bodies including the CIPR and PRCA. That enables us to access reports and articles from PR professionals and also attend a variety of industry talks. We also have a variety of guest speakers from different industries in lectures to give us an insight to particular job roles and opportunities.

What’s the best thing about your course?

The best thing about the Communication and PR course is the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and gain a wide skill set for all aspects of the communications industry.

Which skills did you learn during the first two years of your course that you use most on your professional placement?

The main skills I use are my communication skills and my ability to work with others. In a professional workplace, these are both key when working with colleagues and stakeholders and by having these skills, it allows me to successfully fulfil my job roles.

How would you describe yourself in three words before coming to Northumbria?

Ambitious, unexperienced, eager.

How would you describe yourself in three words after completing your first year at Northumbria?

Focused, hard-working, professional.

What are you enjoying most about your time at Northumbria University?

Mostly I’m enjoying meeting new people from all different walks of life whilst being able to learn more about the industry I aspire to be in. I look forward to returning in September to complete my degree.

What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?

I would definitely recommend a potential student to consider applying to Northumbria as the atmosphere, facilities and range of courses make it a great please to study as a springboard into your career.

How would you describe your time at Northumbria in three words?

Inspiring, social, insightful.

To explore upcoming opportunities at Glass Digital visit their work experience and graduate pages.