My Kickstart Journey – Sophie Jones

Sophie Jones joined Artswork’s Communications team in March as part of a 6-month Kickstart placement. As her placement comes to an end, she tells us about her experience.

As daunting as it was applying to be Kickstarter for Artswork, it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in social media, digital marketing and communications; so, when I received the call that I got the role as a publicity assistant I was ecstatic. If you’re thinking about what to do as a next step, I couldn’t recommend a placement at Artswork enough, anything I write in this blog about how great it is, just wouldn’t do it the justice it deserves.

I couldn’t fault anything about my journey working here, the first two weeks of the placement were spent with Anna and Jane training and preparing for the workplace, as well as completing IHASCO training certificates which looks great on your CV! 

After training, I then had the opportunity to meet my communications team, who are genuinely so supportive and helpful. I’ve now been able to apply the content of my level 3 Digital Marketing certificate into real life practice as well as gaining the knowledge of using tools for social media and communications such as: 

• Social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn 
• Canva 
• Hootsuite 
• Campaign monitor 
• Atelier 
• Google analytics 
• SharePoint, MS teams

As the placement goes on you gain more and more responsibility, such as two months in I was put in charge of a social media campaign for Creativity and Wellbeing week. Successfully creating content, planning and executing three blogs and 30 social media posts in one week. A couple social posts from Instagram that week look like this,

Another amazing part of role is the freedom to write blogs about creativity and wellbeing or just what you’re interested in. 

Some past examples I’ve done:

Anxiety around competing: https://artswork.org.uk/news/anxiety-competing/ 

Tips and tricks to support your mind: https://artswork.org.uk/news/creativity-and-wellbeing-week-tips-and-tricks-to-support-your-mind/?sf_paged=2

My journey to becoming a Publicity Assistant: https://artswork.org.uk/news/my-journal-to-becoming-a-publicity-assistant-sophie-jones/?sf_paged=3

Is binge eating disorder underrepresented in the eating disorder conversation: https://artswork.org.uk/news/youngminds-is-binge-eating-disorder-underrepresented-in-the-eating-disorder-conversation/?sf_paged=2

Due to the nature of a kickstart role you’re hired to learn and gain experience therefore throughout the entire six months all staff have been so lovely and understanding if there’s an issue or if something doesn’t go to plan and will teach you so that you can learn from your mistakes.  

Towards the end of my placement, a job opportunity within Artswork opened up for a Communications Assistant, I love working here and I’m passionate about the work and what I do; so I went for it! Starting September I’ll be here another six months and I can’t wait.  

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Apprenticeships Blogs by apprentices For 15 – 25 yrs kickstart young people Youth Blog