My Work Experience at BCIMO – By Jessica Evans, Year 12 Student

Hello, I’m Jess, a Year 12 student at Q3 Academy in Tipton, where I am studying History, Law, and Criminology. As part of our personal development, we are required to complete a week of work experience in a field that aligns with our future career ambitions. When I found out that BCIMO was offering marketing work experience, I was eager to get involved and gain practical insight into the industry.

Each day at BCIMO was a dynamic and enriching experience, working closely with Olivia Brown, the Operations and Marketing Manager, to contribute to various tasks.

I was able to attend a weekly team meeting at BCIMO, and although I didn’t actively contribute during the discussion, I found the experience to be highly beneficial. By simply listening, I gained valuable insights into the team’s dynamics, project progress, and how key decisions are made. This observation allowed me to better understand the workflow and the challenges the team faces, which in turn enhanced my understanding of the industry and workplace culture.

I assisted Hollie Chidley, BCIMO’s CRM and Email Marketing Executive, in updating the Salesforce CRM system, ensuring the accurate entry of new leads and opportunities, which helped streamline communication and business development efforts. By supporting in this process, I contributed to the tracking of potential clients and business opportunities, enabling more efficient follow-up and engagement.

During my work experience, I was tasked with designing graphics for the upcoming Family Day event. This project allowed me to enhance my design skills while learning how to create visuals that effectively conveyed the event’s theme and message. It was important for me to learn how to design these graphics as it provided valuable hands-on experience in using design tools and understanding the role of visual communication in event promotion.

Additionally, I supported the execution of a facility tour for Year 10 engineering students from Beacon Hill Academy, ensuring the event ran smoothly and provided valuable insights into BCIMO’s operations to the students. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with the community and further understand the impact of BCIMO’s work.

I also had the opportunity to attend a strategic meeting with the Birmingham and Cradley Heath model railway clubs to assess their needs for the upcoming Family Day event, which allowed me to contribute to event planning. I actively participated by taking detailed notes and assisting in identifying the key resources and logistics needed to ensure their smooth involvement.

Towards the end of my week at BCIMO, I gained practical experience in using Mailchimp to update and distribute newsletters. I learned how to create engaging content, ensure it was up-to-date, and format it in a way that was visually appealing and aligned with BCIMO’s brand. I also became familiar with key Mailchimp features, such as audience segmentation and scheduling, which helped ensure that the newsletters reached the right people at the right time.

My work experience has been incredibly valuable and enriching. I have gained hands-on experience in various aspects of communication, event coordination, and digital marketing, which has greatly contributed to my professional development. The opportunity to work alongside knowledgeable professionals and take on meaningful tasks has not only enhanced my skills but also deepened my understanding of the industry. I truly enjoyed the collaborative environment and the variety of tasks I had the chance to contribute to. Overall, my experience at BCIMO has been both enjoyable and educational, and it has been instrumental in shaping my professional growth moving forward.

Reflecting on Jessica’s work experience week, BCIMO’s Operations and Marketing Manager, Olivia Brown, said:

“It was a pleasure to host Jessica for her work experience at BCIMO. She was punctual, polite, and happy to get stuck in to whatever task she was given. She supported me on a wide range of marketing activities to give her a taste of the diverse skills required in the field. Jessica quickly adapted to new tasks, showing initiative and a keen interest in learning. She demonstrated excellent communication skills and was always eager to contribute ideas, while also being attentive to feedback. Her positive attitude and strong work ethic made her a pleasure to work with. I have no doubt that Jessica will continue to thrive and develop her skills in marketing, and I highly recommend her for any future opportunities.”

For more information on BCIMO or the VLRNIC, please visit the BCIMO website or click Contact Us to make an enquiry / sign up to our mailing list.