Jane Wilson – CIPR CEO:
The CIPR is committed to providing practical assistance and guidance to members at every stage of their journey, but the first steps are probably the most important on the path to a successful career in PR.
Higher fees, more competition for every university place and every graduate job, fierce competition for internships – the CIPR understands these are just a few of the challenges that face aspiring Public Relations professionals in their study or as graduates in the early stages of their career.
The Chartered Institute aims to boost the prospects of PR professionals in the early stages of their career with a yearlong initiative highlighting practical support and a range of opportunities for graduates and students, whether they are studying for a CIPR qualification directly or on a higher or further education PR course anywhere in the UK.
The CIPR values its young communicators and their commitment to education and this year is embarking on "Year of the Student and Teacher" to run from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012.
'The CIPR Year of the Student and Teacher' will include:
For students and lecturers
- through the CIPR Research and Development Unit (RDU), access to overviews of the latest industry and academic research
- access to academic journals
- providing clear and concise guidance for applicants on the questions to ask and what to look out for when applying for internships and work placements
- CV clinics and job interview technique training and support
- special events for undergraduate, postgraduates and MBA students in conjunction with the CIPR Regional and Sectoral Groups, with seminars hosted across the UK
- a year of Student competitions open to undergraduates and CIPR Certificate and Diploma students.
Laura Crimmons, PR student, Leeds Metropolitan University:
I fully support the CIPR's year of the student and teacher. The CIPR already offers fantastic support to its student members and this initiative can only help to improve that. As a PR student I look to the CIPR for advice and guidance for my future career in PR. Experience is everything in this industry so the help that they will now offer in terms of work placements is crucial. I think that it's important for the CIPR to engage with its student and graduate members on a local level and this is what the initiative is aiming to do. With rising fees, it is more important than ever that students have the support of a professional body.
For graduates
- re-launching the CIPR Graduate Opportunity service and broadening the scope of the scheme to ensure graduates have access to industry wide opportunities to find jobs, internships and work placements
- providing employers with a toolkit reflecting the CIPR's Work Placement Charter and wider industry thinking, clearly setting out the most appropriate and ethical way to offer and administer internships
- offering Graduates reduced rate access to all training courses and materials for the first three years of their PR career
- graduate competitions including the chance to win a free place on the CIPR's own post graduate Diploma (subject to meeting all other eligibility criteria) and One to One PR master classes from local senior practitioners
- access to specifically targeted programmes such as internships to address diversity issues in the profession.
Anne Gregory - former President of the CIPR and Director, Centre for Public Relations Studies at Leeds Metropolitan University:
These young professionals make a significant contribution through their work placements and internships and they are grateful to employers for providing these opportunities, indeed many interns do such a good job that they return as full time employees once their course is completed.
During the next two weeks CIPR Group Chairs and CIPR University Course Leaders will come together at the CIPR and discuss how the Chartered Institute can further support and encourage students and those who are teaching them, offering a host of new initiatives while maintaining and revitalising its traditional services for students.
The CIPR will also foster networking for CIPR University students and CIPR's own qualifications students, both at home and abroad.
More information will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
Jane Wilson – CIPR CEO:
The CIPR is committed to providing meaningful support to students from all backgrounds as they study PR and to Graduates as they seek to gain access to the profession. We appreciate that course leaders need support, that students want to make contacts through the industry to broaden their career horizons and that on leaving University; they are often burdened with debt. We intend to help by making our services available, accessible and affordable as well as relevant to these groups.
