The Internship so far

Seven weeks into the internship and I have finally built up the nerves to get started on my very first blog! The fact that it is going up on the internet is a tad daunting, but just taking that first step is the hardest, right? So here it goes, how my experience with the internship ha gone so far inventively titled: The Internship so far.

I have moved from Sunderland to Brighton to take part in this internship and have experience mild culture shock along the way! For one, everything is so much cleaner: the buildings, the pavements and even the seagulls. Saying that, the seagulls are a lot more brazen around here; seeing them stealing sandwiches from innocents hands is a regular occurrence. 

Also, everything is so much more expensive - alcohol especially - after moving from a city where places can be £5 entry with 50p drinks all night, it is mildly depressing. On top of this, I didn't realise how hard I was to understand. I mean, I know I have a Northern accent but I am either mistaken for being Scottish or looked at blankly (with the occasional nod thrown in).

Aside from these mild irritants, moving to Brighton has been an exciting experience for me and most importantly it has allowed me to be a part of this internship! Packing your bags and moving across the country on your own is an intimidating prospect for any one, but so far, for me, it has paid off and I hope it continues to. I have picked up vital skills to carry into my  future career (hopefully) in the events industry. Of course I have learnt the pretty mundane stuff like office and phone skill but, I have also attained many more exciting skills from being on site at events. The setting up of the events and watching things come together is the reason I was drawn towards the events industry after all.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to help with the set up of a beautiful Art Deco themed wedding with huge Oscar Trophy and Marilyn Monroe props. It was fun being in the room and watching it being transformed from a simple hotel conference room into something fit for a wedding party.

To sum up in three points the Internship so far has been:
1) Completely different to what I have done before. I have had work experience in the North but nothing that has taught me so much in so little time. 
2) A new experience: as has already been pointed out I am living somewhere different after all!
3) A lot of fun!

So, that was my first blog; a load of babbling that makes little to no sense. However it is done, giving you a little taste of what I have been doing and hopefully it is the first of many to follow.

The Classic Countryside Wedding Theme

These days more and more couples are trying to make their wedding that little bit different. Some choose to have theirs in the winter months, and have the white wedding look. Others will try and keep to the good weather and have a summer wedding at the seaside, an autumn wedding in a woodland surrounding and some even go abroad to get their perfect setting.

I am going to look into the English countryside themed wedding. Ideally held in the summer, this wedding theme is not only aesthetically pleasing, but can also be cost beneficial. Really all you need is a barn/ marquee and a field!

I have been to a wedding based in the country side and have also seen many blogs where couples have chosen a barn style venue for their reception. The one that I attended was in the countryside, but close to a cottage, therefore problems such as the need for portaloo’s were not an issue, luckily! Still this would not be hard to do. This particular couple hired a large white marquee in the owner’s large garden, where the guests had their sit down dinner, which was next to the farmyard and field.

Due to the setting the couple made the most of the countryside view and their photographer took their photos out in the field and on the farm to create this countryside feel to the wedding. They choose yellow and greys for their colours for the wedding that went really well with the countryside look. Any pastel colours would look lovely in a summer wedding, and flowers including Stocks, Daisies, Lavender, Gerberas and Gypsophila’s can match the theme perfectly.

With this theme essentially, you’re bringing the outside, inside! Why not use square hale bails as seating, or even tables?

Another wedding I have seen was a buffet and the quests had wooden slats as plates to put their food on, which was really effective.

A further classic countryside cliché for the bride is of course- wearing a pair of wellies underneath your dress!

Most marquees keep in a lot of the heat too, so there’s no worry for your guests getting too cold. Additionally I have seen a wedding use the vintage style sweets to match with the summertime theme, which can also be really effective, and goes with the English feel.

The choice of music can also be a country folk band to keep with the theme both aesthetically and musically. Another good idea of bringing the outdoors, in, can be to have a wood theme amongst the table decorations, such as the use of wooden table centres, carved with the table names on each. This pine colour keeps with the outdoor feel, and adding plants or flowers compliment this really well.

Using vintage tea sets can also go well with this idea, and go along nicely with it being an English themed wedding; this too goes with the use of bunting – very vintage English.

So I think this is a really lovely idea for a wedding theme if you want a summer wedding that isn't your classic large hall venue with garden outside. And you can get really inventive with what you can add to bring the outdoors, inside!

Joanna May

Top Tips for Overcoming the Fear of Interviews...

Since the beginning of my search for an internship I have been through it all: typing endless cover letters, the long travel to interviews, the extreme nerves, the disappointment of not getting jobs and the feeling that I was never going to get a job. Not to mention how out of pocket I was from travelling many miles to interviews for jobs I just wasn't getting!

During the early stages of my search I believe I wasn't getting any jobs due to my presence at interviews. I was extremely nervous and I was failing to big myself up enough to make potential employers choose me over other candidates. 

Towards the end of my search I understood where I was going wrong and I was a different person! I was calm relaxed and I knew the answers to questions I thought they would ask. This attitude was reflected in my interviews and allowed me to get closer and closer to getting an internship. Interviewers could clearly see I was relaxed and very passionate about the job I was going for. 

Top tips for interviews

Tip 1 – Be Prepared!

Make sure you know your stuff about the company and make sure you have prepared answers to difficult questions that the interviewer may ask you. Doing this a few days before will allow you to have time to prepare but will also allow it to be fresh in your mind. It is also important that you plan questions to ask your interviewer. Not only does it clear up any concerns or queries you may have, it makes you look keen and shows the interviewer you are actually interested in the company and role to are applying to.

Tip 2 – Practice

Practicing on your own will allow you to read out your answer and plan which answer sounds the best. But as well as this ask someone to practice with you. They can give you feedback on ways to improve.

Tip 3 – Don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Although you may really want the job, it’s not the only job in the world, so remember this before and during the interview and it will make you feel more relaxed.

Tip 4 – Learning experience

Look at each interview as a learning experience. After each interview think what you could have done better. Maybe it was the way you were sitting, the way you projected your voice or your answer to a really difficult question. Try and improve these issues in your next interview.
Remember: always ask for feedback from each interview as this information will really help you to continue improving!

Tip 5 – Don’t be too disheartened

This is the hard one! It is difficult not to be disheartened when you are not chosen for a job but I have learnt that it is important not to take it personally and to continue your search with the same enthusiasm. Towards the end of my search I was becoming more and more stressed and upset that I wasn’t getting jobs I really wanted. However now I look back and I am glad I didn’t get them as I am in a much better position. So don’t worry, keep searching and stay positive! 

Final Tip – Be tactical…
If like me, you are applying to many placements in one go, apply to the ones you are least keen on first. These are the interviews that you will not be as good at so use them as opportunities to practice your interview techniques to help you land the job you really want!

By learning these tips, through applying for 37 placements and 13 interviews, I finally landed an amazing internship at Office Christmas! During my internship we have carried out interview training which has made me realise interviews are continuing learning experiences and the more you practice the better and better you will become!

Good Luck!!

Ella Hagon-Williams 

My First Event

Hello and welcome to a brand new blog!

You find this particular blogger in a good mood today which probably has something to do with the fact I have a long weekend awaiting me and the sun is shining down on the streets of Brighton. I’m hoping the weather stays as it is for the next few days so I can make the most of my days off.

Anyway, onto my blog. I recently wrote a blog on weddings and I would say there was at least an hour of staring at my blank computer screen before I came up with an idea of what to write about specifically. I like to think that in a world where everyone seems to be blogging, I’m not the only person that has had this problem before.

This one however, is a lot easier to write. As I have been on an event since my last blog I think it only makes sense to share to the blogging world the details of how this day went.

The event in which I am talking about was a wedding at a Georgian manor house called Little Hermitage in Higham, near Kent. If you have never heard of Higham, then you are not the only one. Apparently the makers of my sat nav had never heard of the place either. Once I was 5 miles from my destination, my sat nav went into melt down and had no idea where it was. What made it even more frustrating was the voice that was directing me was not your standard sat nav lady, but it was the rapper Snoop Dogg. The celebrity voices are quite funny to begin with but once it has sent you down a dead end and told you 3 times to ‘take a left cuz’ into a bush, it begins to lose its novelty. After shouting at Snoop his best suggestion was ‘why don’t you put some of that snoop on your stereo?’ but I don’t think the calming influence of Snoop Dogg’s music would have helped me at this point. Hard to believe I know.

After asking a nice receptionist from a local hotel, I managed to navigate my way to the venue and got on with finishing the final details before the guests arrive. My colleagues had already set up the day before so we were on hand to add the last couple of details and to make sure everything ran smoothly. And I’m glad to say everything did.

The bride and her family came from Baltimore in the States and were a very musical family, which showed throughout the day. We had arranged a saxophone player to play as the bride walked down the aisle and a professional singer to entertain the guests after the ceremony. The singer was a young guy called Lascel Wood and any X factor fans reading this may recognize the name. Lascel was on the programme a few years ago and he has recently landed a lead role in the Thriller live tour.  Having live music was great and went down really well so if anyone is in the middle of planning a wedding I would definitely suggest looking into hiring a singer or a band. We also found out that Lascel Wood wasn't the only professional singer at the wedding as the bride and her sisters joined in for a song and everyone was blown away. They were a family of gospel singers and have worked in the West End for a number of years. One sister in particular had one of the best voices I have ever heard live. She was unbelievable.

The party then moved inside the Venetian themed room, and the guests finished their day off with a meal and the nights entertainment. We had organised a caricature which everyone enjoyed and added something a bit different to the event. There were also casino tables and of course it wouldn't have been a wedding without a disco and some awful dancing. Being sober and watching drunk people dance made me really worry about what I must look like on my drunken nights in Brighton.

I think the casino tables were a great idea and again would be something to think about if you’re planning a wedding. Obviously after a few drinks most people will find themselves on the dance floor but it’s not for everyone and providing alternative entertainment was great for the guests who weren't quite ready to embarrass themselves. The night then finished with an impressive firework display before a limo turned up to take the guests away.

All in all the day was a great success and the bride and groom looked like they really enjoyed themselves. They were a really lovely couple so I’m glad for them. From my point of view, it was nice to be eased in gently to the world of events on a generally stress free day. I’m sure there will be events which don’t go quite as well as this one did so it will be helpful to have an example of how a successful event should be organised

.

How I Got Into Events

My story on how I got into events was not a fairy tale; I know many people say “it was my dream from a young age” or “I eat, sleep and breathe events” blah blah blah. Mine was something I just walked into after University as if I was going into a theatre to watch a play. I loved and enjoyed designing the scenery for performances and my favourite styles are German expressionist and turning olden plays into a contemporary take. I also love watching plays such as Grease which is my favourite. I actually watched it at the theatre as a present to myself (and no I am not a loner) but will leave that for another blog post.

I was fortunate as I studied a degree in Theatre,  Performance and Event design at Birmingham City University. Although I did not major in events, I have been a waitress for more than five years with confidence and developed skills on silver service, table decor, dealing with people and providing excellent guest service at weddings, parties etc.

During my second year at University I was waitressing for a Christmas party in Birmingham at the Clarendon suite where I saw beautiful, eye-catching props and design setting of a Las Vegas theme. I liked the way everything was set up which got me thinking: instead of designing for performance I could design, set up the space and create an event. Although theatre is my first love, it is a difficult industry to get into, which got me thinking working within a company that creates a form of art would be a great first step.

I finally got the courage and approached the designer/ event manager and asked about the company she works for, her job and if they took on board interns. She was extremely nice and helpful giving me all the relevant information. After my course I still applied for theatre and event jobs but the only one that I got a response from was the event company that the designer/ event manager worked for “Office Christmas” which is where I am working today. I am glad and happy I got this wonderful opportunity and I know that I definitely made the right decision.

I know what you are thinking, I am settling for Events as I could not get into theatre I say no as I enjoy designing and creating themes which I can also convey in events.

I know for sure now that I want to be an event designer and manager for different parties and this internship is helping me progress and develop my skills that I would need when I get into a paying job.  I also believe I have an advantage as I am African and have lived in England all my life so I have great understanding of both cultures. This will benefit me when planning events for different cultures in the future. 

Bascilia Greene-Manja

Working Events. It is not all fun.

The typical reaction when I tell people I am an Events Intern is “wow that must be fun!” However, the reality is that it involves long hours and hard work to make an event a success. There is a huge amount of planning involved (it is not just luck that it all falls into place) It takes the management of teams, organisation and the willingness to get involved in any task, no many how strange it may sometimes be!

In the office, we are responsible for organising venues, acts, and being the point of contact for clients to deal with their enquiries and exceed their expectations. However, on-site our responsibilities can include anything from setting up, working on side stalls and making sure things run smoothly. Ultimately, making sure we maintain the wonderful example set by the Fire and Ice staff and provide everything that has been promised.

When skills relevant for these tasks are not utilised, things start to go wrong. For example, management is vital in these situations as we must meet tight time schedules and meet expectations. To prevent any issues occurring we have a dedicated team of site managers who deal with any queries and allow us to deliver successful events.  

After only two months of working in events, many of us interns are still learning about the most productive ways to plan, set up and run events. Being thrown into the deep end can make events stressful, however it is the quickest way to learn about an industry that is very hands on.

Attending events is the most rewarding part of our internship as after all the hard work it is wonderful to see things come together. The great feedback and the end result is what makes all the effort worthwhile. The transformation of the venue from a boring empty space into a themed event can be amazing. As well as this, it is nice to see the clients face as they walk through the door to see this whole new world inside.

Working these events often involves long hours, late evenings and weekends with a variety of clients. Take my last event for example, that included small children throwing darts. Young children lack the perception of danger and accuracy in their throwing and a few near misses later, it has certainly become something to be aware of! However, the customer is always correct, even if they are five years old with sharp flying objects in their hands! No matter how concerned you may be, a smile has to be pinned on (almost quite literally)

However, with the fantastic team at Office Christmas, all this hard work is worth it. They’re always laughing and joking. They’ve been a lot of fun and I am going to miss working with such a fantastic team!

Gemma Cockshott 

Becoming the blogger.

Ideas for a witty and insightful blog...

     - A day in the life of...an intern.

     - One step down the career ladder – two steps up. The oldest interns story.

     - Budget planning...intern style!

Now as excited and thankful I am for the opportunity that my new internship provides me, I am sure you will agree that none of the above titles sound like anything close to a ‘thrilling read’.

My conclusion therefore is this:

BLOGGING IS HARD!

I don’t want you to misunderstand me. I enjoy a well written and articulate blog as much as the next person. A friend of mine recently wrote about the perils of riding the London underground at peak times and I admit I found it entertaining...honestly.

My struggle is not with the blog but with becoming the blogger; the transition from the reading to the writing. Now the temptation is to simply write very minimal text and fill the body of the blog with wonderful and captivating images to distract the reader from the poorly written and slightly drab content.

NO...fight this temptation!

Again; don’t get me wrong images are not the enemy! I like to think of them like the packet of chocolate hobnobs (the king of all biscuits in my humble opinion) in the break room. One or even two of these with your afternoon cuppa are fine but after that point you must step away and cut yourself off so not to overindulge.

Then there’s the pressure. I am almost positive that most if not all of my fellow interns feel this, the pressure to make your blog interesting or amusing or just that it does not make the reader wish they were getting their ear drum damaged by the most awkward customer in the world instead of reading this.

I unfortunately have not yet discovered a remedy for this and simply hope that it will subside in time. If I do devise some blogging anxiety coping mechanism then I will share it with you all; fear not!

Other than ‘the pressure’ I have aforementioned I also find it extremely arduous to make detailed observations and convey them to the blogging world. How to make the mundane exciting...what is the secret?!

Is there some secret blogging for dummies guide that can help me in my quest? If there is I have not yet purchased a copy. I even feel I should apologise to my reader if I have not provided an informative glimpse into my first forays into the world of blogging. No I’m holding my ground and staying strong. I do not apologise and I even think that actually writing a blog has been some what of a cathartic experience...again – honestly!

However, if you do wish me to say sorry all I ask is that you take a few more minutes and keep ‘reading’...

        Thanks everyone!