Name: Tariq Perkins
Age: 22
Organisation & Description:
Fidelity International provides investment management services including mutual funds, pension management, and fund platforms to private and institutional investors.
Date you started the PR Apprenticeship:12/11/2020
What were you doing before your apprenticeship?
Before I started my apprenticeship, I was working nightshifts at Sainsbury’s for about 18 months, as a means to stay busy while I was figuring out what my next steps were going to be.
What attracted you to the PR Apprenticeship?
I felt I had the transferable skills required to apply for the opportunity and I was interested in the prospect of challenging myself on this apprenticeship and leaving my comfort zone to work in a corporate environment. I also felt that some of the life experiences that I had gained gave me the confidence to pursue the PR Apprenticeship.
What was the highlight of your PR Apprenticeship?
The highlight of the PR apprenticeship for me was all the different opportunities that have come about over the duration of my apprenticeship. I am very fortunate to have met some great people along the way and I have been lucky enough to share my own personal story with many students who may have needed someone’s guidance.
What do you feel your apprenticeship helped you achieve?
My apprenticeship has helped me to become more confident in both my professional and personal life and I have been able to see progress with certain tasks and challenges that I would’ve shied away from previously. Furthermore, my apprenticeship has helped me to develop employable skills and knowledge that I wouldn’t have picked up if I hadn’t chosen this apprenticeship. Through this opportunity, I have made some great connections that will serve beyond the workplace, and I have developed a great level of resilience and maturity.
What was the biggest challenge that you overcame?
The biggest challenge I had to overcome during my apprenticeship, was maintaining my level of focus and making sure I was consistent with the quality of work that I was producing. It can be hard to maintain those high standards on all fronts consistently for 18 months. Luckily for me, I had a great support system that allowed me to stay positive and remain consistent.
Top 3 skills a PR Apprentice needs:
· Creativity
· Attention to detail
· Strong Interpersonal skills
I love PR because… it challenges you to come up with new ideas and campaigns that influence the targeted audience. PR provides the chance to tap into your creative side and you’re often afforded a level of freedom that you don’t get in other industries.
What are your next steps?
Currently, I am not 100% sure what my next steps will be, but I am open to exploring all the many different opportunities and avenues that present themselves.
CAMPAIGN SPOTLIGHT
Describe a campaign you were involved in and the activities you performed to bring it about…
One campaign that I was involved in and really enjoyed was supporting our Early Careers Team with the launch of our ‘Future Forward Scholarship Programme.’ Our Future Forward Scholarship provides funding for living and academic expenses for students whose circumstances make it more challenging for them to attend university. I, along with our external communications team worked together to create a press release to highlight our commitment to Social Mobility. I enjoyed the external aspect of this campaign and came away learning a lot from the experience.