Salford University MA student lands part time role at Manchester Agency following Orchard’s ‘Get a Job’ seminar and winning an associated competition design brief.

Each year Orchard’s MD Mike Carter heads off to a number of colleges and universities around the North West to run our ‘Get a Job’ seminar. The content highlights the harsh realities of competing for industry vacancies after graduation and gives advice focused on CV and portfolio creation, building networks online and offline, how to actively hunt for work, and how to perform well at interview. Mike said, “We have been running the ‘Get a Job’ seminar programme now for over 8 years. Its been really rewarding and every year we get feedback from candidates saying how it helped them to get started. As an agency we don’t get asked for many recent graduates so it was an important opportunity to help this group to navigate their way into their first position.”

We decided this year to boost the value of the seminar by teaming up with a local creative agency, running a competition to win a work placement with them. Creative Concern , a highly respected multi-disciplinary creative agency working within the Social and Environmental sectors, kindly agreed to get on board. In no time at all Chris Dessent (MD) had devised a challenging and open ended brief which was duly presented to the Salford University Design students during the seminar.

It seemed like just the opportunity I needed to help find my feet in the industry

Of the entries received Sam Dahl’s stood out as being particularly impressive in terms of overall idea, use of varied media, and skills used to create the visuals. Winning the competition landed Sam an initial 2 week placement which he completed in August and with him doing so well, they offered him a part time job which will run for the next six months giving Sam invaluable agency experience.

Chris said," Sam’s been learning the ropes in a busy creative environment, taking part in brainstorming sessions, responding to client briefs, taking part in client meetings and helping deliver creative design work for clients including Cumbria Woodlands and the Irish Sea Marine Conservation Zone. Sam’s got stuck in, navigated his way through our production processes and has contributed some great ideas. We’re delighted to be taking Sam on as a trainee designer, one day a week for a six month period. Sam’s keen to learn and find out more about design and our client base, he has a particular interest in the social and environmental aspects of our work."

Having landed the extended role we checked in with Sam who said, "This being my first placement at a real design agency it was an eye opening experience, giving me a real insight into the industry I was preparing myself for… “When they offered me a six month paid part time internship after the two weeks placement was over I was thrilled. It seemed like just the opportunity I needed to help find my feet in the industry…I am extremely glad I attended the seminar and took time out to enter the competition, as it has started a chain of events which has left me in a great position to be in whilst finishing my MA.”

We wish Sam the very best of luck in his career and would like to thank Chris and the team at Creative Concern for giving their time and commitment so generously.

If you are an educational establishment and would like information on the ‘Get a Job’ seminar please contact Mike Carter (MD) on 0161 455 0055

[PHOTO: Sam Dahl, Salford University student working in Creative Concern’s Studio]

Andy Chesters
Recruitment Manager / Orchard Manchester