Background
Since 2014 Cowshed has been delivering campaigns that make a big impact on society. We work across all sectors and all populations, developing behaviour change campaigns that represent society and encourage people to do things differently. Our campaigns have purpose and we work with clients we love and for causes we believe in.
We do this day in day out, but we do this as a team of women with very similar backgrounds. We recently took on a male designer – a lone man amongst 14 women! In our four and a half years we have missed out on diversity of thinking, skills and experience and this needs to change. How can we expect to speak to the people of Wales if we, ourselves, don’t represent the diverse spectrum of life that is modern day Wales?
The PR and Creative industries in Wales are dominated by white females. We want to challenge this, delivering communications campaigns that truly reflect the society in which we live.
There are other schemes in London and Scotland. There is a large scheme run by the Government and a couple of organisations including Creative Access who exist to support people into these industries.
We are partnering with Race Council Cymru, a like-minded organisation, to forge the way in PR and Marketing in Wales. We want to deliver campaigns that better represent the whole of Wales through building a strong, diverse workforce ourselves.
Programme overview
The Cowshed BAME Internship is a diversity initiative targeted at students of African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or Chinese origin (or a combination of the above) who are studying or have recently graduated. These groups are under-represented regionally, and nationally, in PR and marketing. Cowshed will take on two interns each year.
It follows the same parameters as the UK Government’s Internship programme which has successfully delivered a more inclusive and representative government communication team.
What will you be doing in this role?
Based in one of Wales’ growing creative agencies, you’ll get a sense of what working in a high-pressured, media environment is like and the essential skills you need to start your career in PR, Advertising and Marketing.
You’ll learn all the skills you need to work in public relations, from writing press releases, gathering insight, dealing with journalists and managing media interviews to generating ideas for high profile campaigns and organising media events.
Cowshed delivers behaviour change campaigns that impact people right across the UK for a number of high profile organisations including Comic Relief, Social Care Wales, Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and National Trust. You’ll be immersed in campaign planning and be able to gain the skills you need to get to the next level in your career.
What do we look for?
We’re looking for motivated individuals with a positive outlook who are able to demonstrate an interest in media and public relations and are committed to developing a career in the industry. You’ll have excellent communication skills, work well in a team and be able to manage your own time. You’ll be confident and prepared to speak up and challenge the status quo.
Where can this career take you?
Our current internship programme has been highly successful. Two previous interns have gone on to gain a permanent role at Cowshed. Others have gone on to gain placements across the industry in Wales and beyond.
What training and support will you get?
Training is important, so we will encourage you to attend a range of internal and external training courses to support your development, including social media, crisis communications and campaign planning. We’re a small agency so you’ll also gain training and support internally from our directors and managing director.
Once you’ve finished your internship, ongoing employment with us would be based on the success of your application through our usual competitive recruitment processes.
Eligibility
To apply, candidates must meet the nationality requirement and the right to work in the UK requirement. In addition, you must have the right to work in the United Kingdom, and you must satisfy the diversity requirement. You must be in your final two years at university, a recent graduate or have completed a degree equivalent qualification in a communications related subject (NVQ level 6).
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 we encourage people from all protected characteristics to apply for this position.
Duration: Three months
Location: Wales
Salary: Living wage
Recruitment process
To apply for one of the internships please email vicki@wearecowshed.co.uk telling us a little bit about you and why we should choose you. You can write the submission (max 500 words) or email a video clip of you telling us in person! Submissions will be shortlisted and shortlisted candidates invited to the office for an interview.
Applications will close on the 12th July. We really look forward to hearing from you.
