Results day fun to fighter jets: My fast-paced fortnight as a NextGen Viva intern.

Fresh out of university, it quickly became clear to me that landing a graduate job is more difficult than you think when you lack relevant work experience.

As a business student, I was introduced to a wide range of industries, which left me with plenty of career options but choosing one to pursue was its own challenge.

One thing I’ve always known though is that I have a creative side and I’ve always wanted to apply that to work. After some research, I came across PR and thought this could be it. A career where I could combine creativity with making a difference? That sounded like exactly what I’d been looking for.

That’s why I jumped at the opportunity when Viva reached out to me about the new NextGen Viva programme. Two weeks in PR may not sound like much but let me tell you, those two weeks were packed with learning and tons of excitement.

From day one, I was thrown into action and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I understood early on that Viva was a very fast-paced agency and, as I was told on my first day, I’d joined for two of the busiest weeks in their calendar. Perfect timing!

I was kept busy from the get-go. Here are just a few of the things I got up to:

Results Day madness: I attended both A Level and GCSE results days at Accrington and Rossendale College and Nelson and Colne College. I interviewed students, recorded sound bites for broadcast media and finished by writing up case studies. Seeing the case studies I’d written published in the media was definitely a huge highlight for me.

The Eurofighter Fighter Show: Did I ever think I’d be learning about the fighter jets and engines during a PR internship? No. But now I can tell you all about the Eurofighter Typhoon and its EJ200 engine. I subtitled an episode of the Eurofighter Show and later found out it was being played at Eurofighter HQ in Munich. I was also introduced to media lists and even created one for Italy, Germany and Spain, learning the different media landscapes of the Typhoon partner nations.

Pro podcaster: I recorded and edited my own podcast episode in the PR in the Real-World studio, before sitting in on that week’s episode with Darryl from Hard Numbers. Hearing all about the future of PR (especially with the rise of AI) was really insightful.

Sharpening my skills: From presentation training with Andrew Thorpe on my first day to role play interview training the following week ahead of GCSE results day, I learnt new skills that I’ll take with me beyond these two weeks.

Here, there and everywhere: No two days were the same. One minute I was on client visits capturing content, the next I was road-tripping all over East Lancashire to deliver merchandise. PR definitely keeps you on your toes!

After two busy weeks, I’ve definitely discovered how varied PR can be as well as how fast-paced it is. The great thing about the NextGen programme is how hands-on it has been from the very start. I wasn’t just watching and learning, I was doing and learning, and Viva really welcomed me as part of the team.

If you’re lucky enough to take part in the programme, here’s my advice for you future NextGen interns:

• Enjoy yourself – The two weeks fly by. Get stuck into everything, even if it’s completely new to you. You’ll learn lots about both the job and yourself that way.
• If you’re unsure, just ask – Everyone in the office is super friendly and you’re surrounded by experts, so make the most of it. They’re there to help.
• Speak up! – Don’t be shy to show initiative and share ideas. A fresh perspective is always valuable.

I’ve absolutely loved being a part of NextGen Viva and I feel lucky to come away with practical skills and experiences that make me feel more confident stepping into the job market with real-life examples to show for it. If this is just a taste of what PR has to offer, I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.