“It always seems impossible until it’s done” – Nelson Mandela

As thousands of students found out their A-Level results this week, I can’t help but reminisce over my results day. It seems like only yesterday that floods of tears were streaming down my face as I read my results, which meant my mother thought that I had failed. How wrong she was!

Compared to 2012, the number of students scoring an A or A* has fallen by 0.3% but there was a rise in the number of students taking what are considered to be more academic subjects. This doesn't surprise me as much as the news that the number of people going to University is rising, despite the £9,000 tuition fees.

Its five years since my results day and I’d like to think I have a better understanding of my career path, than I did back then. During my school years, I hadn't the faintest idea what I wanted to do but fortunately through work experience and University I have come to discover my strengths. If I could give advice to 18 year old me, I would probably say:

‘Don’t worry about not knowing what you want to be in the future. You are most definitely not alone. Take everything in your stride, enjoy yourself, join University societies and with time, you’ll discover a bubbly, creative, confident side of you that you never knew about.’

If these past five years have taught me anything, it’s that life isn’t black and white. Yes, thousands of students go to University but there are other options too. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to learn on-the-job. In Germany, students who don’t plan on going to University are offered a two to three year work placement – something similar to what is slowly being introduced in the UK.

This week I’ve been very fortunate to have been working at Target PR, helping me gain an insight to the world of PR. From day one I knew this was a sector I’d enjoy. From drafting press releases to editing a newsletter for the UK’s most trusted opticians, this work experience has certainly broadened my understanding of PR. I am extremely grateful to the team for welcoming me in and showing me the ropes.

To all those A-Level students worried about what awaits them, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of networking and researching. Talk to people, look on the web or visit your local Jobcentre and slowly but surely you’ll come to know what you want to do after studying.

A huge thank you to the Target PR team for this fantastic opportunity!

Lourizza Ball

Intern

Leader of the pack

This week I’ve been thinking about what really makes a good leader in today’s dizzying speed of digital.
And that’s when it hit me – BAM!

Our client BAM is the UK’s leading student media sales agency and has been connecting brands with the student market for more than 15 years, with founder Tim Bodenham at the helm.

So what makes them so good? Well, the proof is in the pizza...

BAM carried out some research last year for its first BAM Freshers Report. Surveying more than 1,000 students at a selection of 20 university freshers’ fairs, the report gave voice to the students in attendance, while providing brands with a realistic indication of activities that this young audience welcomes. Now that’s what I call going the extra mile.

Survey said

Students rated dough doting Domino’s as the top commercial stall with the best freebies – a factor not to be underestimated, as an overwhelming 60% of students admitted it was the lure of freebies that attracted them to the fair and they hope to see a rise in attendance from food outlets at future fairs.

Through carrying out surveys to spill the student beans on what works, and continuously meeting with media suppliers to build new and existing business relationships, BAM always strives to ensure it remains ahead of the competition.

What’s more, despite the prevalence of social networking, BAM truly believes in the power of face-to-face marketing at university events because unlike other traditional marketing methods, it becomes part of the student experience, instead of interrupting it.

At Target, we work with BAM to communicate the company’s big and bold achievements, allowing brands to understand how to reap the rewards from a market that has an estimated spending power of more than £15.5 billion.

It’s certainly an exciting time for us to be working with a company that connects brands such as KitKat, Kelloggs and Cath Kidston with the student market. We’re sure most 18-24 year olds in higher education are also pretty pleased!

Zainab Rahman
Account Executive