Marketing and Event Placement Student Review

My placement at Macmillan was really enjoyable. It wasn't like any other job, I was always around London meeting supporters and other groups. No two days were ever the same at Macmillan. What made it really enjoyable was the fact that you are able to voluntarily give your time to see and help others affected by cancer. During my year, I realised how truly amazing Macmillan and I am glad i volunteered my time at such an amazing and well known charity.

I felt very valued from my team as a placement student. As I was given the responsibilty to undertake research projects and also interaction through presentations to supporters. My team were also very supportive whenever I had trouble with a Macmillan enquiry and always gave advice for me to build on.

My Manager was very helpful. Having Bi-weekly meetings about my progression and successes really helped with what i can do better for the next week. She also gave me advice on how to improve communication with particular supporters, which boosted my confidence and encouraging me to represent Macmillan elsewhere. My manager was very kind, friendly and supportive and i was always able to talk about anything to her.

During the beginning of my placement year, I was very busy with getting to know the charity and its services, therefore my first month was very much full of inductions and Macmillan knowledge. I was then undergoing alot of research and so I had many days (1-2 days a week) of working form home in order to reserach potential supporters and get there support for Macmillan. However as the year went past, I noticed that i was very much out and about at Macmillan events and gaining support, which i really enjoyed. During the past 2 months, I havent worked from home much, which can be very difficult. I very much enjoyed going to evening Macmillan events which raised at leaset £200,000 each. These events included the Enchanted Ball and the Parliament Lords vs Common Tug of War.

As the year went on, I felt that I was responsible for alot of the supporters in the area I was covering. For example, i took the lead on communicating with Abellio (The bus company) and had the chance to deliver a speech/cheque presentation as well as encouraging them to carry on supporting Macmillan. Furthermore, I felt very responsible last weekend, as I managed 4 volunteers at the Macmillan BollyGood event, an event where a team of bollywood dancers have raised money to support Macmillan whilst putting on a bollywood dance for the public. This event proved that I was responsible and able to manage volunteers and also speak to a group of 50 about Macmillan as well as organise Macmillan representation for the day. I felt that my leadership and organisational skills were boosted from this day and I really enjoyed helping at such an amazing event. Furthermore, I was also in charge of the London Social media pages; posting and interacting with the public on a daily basis. As two placements students, we were successful in boosting followers on all social media platforms.

This past year, I have attained as well as enhanced a number of transferable skills which will significantly benefit my future career plus my final year at University.I am glad I had the opportunity to enhance my communication and presentation skills when delivering many different presentations, The skills gained from such diverse presentations are valuable for future public speaking. Furthermore, I feel that this part of my placement has impacted on my personal development as it has changed my self esteem since my first presentation as I have taken on other public appearances such as cheque presentations and campaigns. Also, when writing a blog monthly, my written English was helpful when illustrating my experience at Macmillan which will be valuable when continuing with writing next year. I defineteley recommend a placement at Macmillan to any student as it is a very different environment from the office and you are able to gain so much experience and skills.

As mentioned the funsraising team wasn't always situated in the office as were mostly mobile workers. However on the days i did work in the offcie, i felt very relaxed and was able to complete all my work planned for the day. The office is very friendly and always has a certain 'Macmillan buzz' to it. Everybody at Macmillan is very friendly and very welcoming to placement students and interns, giving us support and advice.

The placement was very organised as my first day was tied in with the regional fundraising induction and therefore we were able to gain knowledge with other new members of Macmillan. Also, I was given much support and advice on how to interact and speak to supproters in from Macmillan, which was very useful for the rest of the year. Furthermore, during my last week I have been creating handover documents for the new placement students who are starting in September. This information is very useful as they are then able to build on from the work I have left.

I was able to attend speaker training courses and media days. These were very useful for my year as it involved public speaking and presentation delivering, which enabled me to become more confident. Also the media days were handy as managing the social media accounts included boosting followers and interaction with the public. Gaining tips from days like these was very insightful and helpful.

In the small Regional fundraiisng team there aren't many opportunities for employment until one opens up, however if this was the case I would be happy to apply for the role as it is for such ana amzing cause. And you really feel rewarded when the results of your work are shown. There are always loads of internships goingon throughout the year.

Working alongside another placement student made it much more fun as we were able to do so many things together at work and outside. At Macmillan, although working in different areas of London, we undertook the same research projects with Universities and other groups and we able to advise and share our work. We regularly went out to explore London after work hours and also spent most of our lunches in Nandos together!

As i lived at home there wasnt much difference to me. However, working in Central London is very expensive. However, Macmillan provide expenses and lunch paid which is very helpful when working in central London. I still think that living and working in London is such an amazing experience as you are able to explore the city and see sights you have never seen, even if you have lived here for 21 years! When socialising outside of work times it became very hard which is why I took up a weekend job during my year at Macmillan. My placement at Macmillan was unpaid so I am very pleased that I worked 6 days a week for a couple of months during the year without becoming unmotivated. I was very lucky that my manager was flexible and helped me handle both my jobs when necessary.

Central london is such an amazing nightlife. Although expensive for student and unpaid volutary worker, there is so much to do in the City of London! Especially as the Macmillan office is by the Embankment and steps close to the Millennium Eye. During the end of the week, the evening life was always buzzing with pubs and garden food markets full of city workers. This year really mademe love London even more.

Macmillan always had pilates and language speaking classes available to join, however I was very much on a busy schedule with working on the weekends too so didn't have the chance to join up. But I would advise it to anyone looking for activities to do whilst on palcement. I also spent alot of my time in the gym, training for my Macmillan Fathers Day 10k Run, which i successfully finished in 1hour and 19 minutes. This run was one of my objectives and really kept me motivated to stay fit even after the run.