Work Experience
12/14/2007 - By Charlotte Willis
I spent a week of work experience at the Umberella Publishing and Busy Bee Magazine, during my time here I have learnt about the professions of publishing and Graphic Design.
Having woken up early to travel by bus on the first morning of my work experience, I was approaching the office of Umberella Publishing and Busy Bee magazine with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Alas all in vain was my apprehension, I was instantly at ease the office not large yet not small was friendly, open and had an amazing atmosphere of both work and relaxation. It would seem however that my excitement was not unfounded as there were many opportunities for me to encounter over my week’s worth of work experience.
As a year eleven student I had a limited knowledge of the workings of a business, the publishing industry and graphic design. Now, although still a student, I feel that I have had a valuable insight into the professions. The first day was spent going over health and safety in the workplace, a tour of the building, filling out application forms and then much to my surprise (Admittedly I was expecting a large amount of filing and photocopying to be my main purpose that week) I was given the important task of creating my own feature within the magazine. Excellent, I was set to be journalist on my first day!
Wishing for me to sit in the seat of a graphic designer for the day, Theresa gave me free reign to design my page containing my now finished Prom article. Wow. I created my own logo using illustrator, designed the layout of my page and finally imported my feature. It was amazing to see my work laid out before me as if in a magazine, it was even more satisfying when the proof was laid on my desk and I saw it for the first time in all its glory!
I was also invited into the world of advertising. All publications need advertisers and so attracting new ones is pivotal to the running of a successful magazine. So I was asked to compile and address advertising packs and locate possible advertisers and ensure that they received the information that they would need to make an informed decision about whether or not to advertise within the magazine. I was shown how the layout, use of colour and images within an advert could attract customers but equally if these things were not perfect how they could be of no benefit at all!
I thought I was fairly computer literate but there was still a lot to learn! I was introduced to no fewer than three new programs and trained in all of them! My computer skills have improved no end and it was fun to explore new packages. I look forward to applying my new found skills in other projects!
Whilst on work experience I met some amazing people, learnt many things about the world of work and had a thoroughly enjoyable time! It has confirmed to me that Publishing and design are both interesting and diverse professions and could be a potential career path for me in the future! I would like to say thank you to all at the Busy Bee magazine for a fantastic week of work experience!
