Corinne Card, co-founder and director at Full Story Media

Career Lab UK Summer Internships are an exclusive opportunity to undertake a six-or eight-week paid internship with a UK employer during the summer vacation. In 2023, there are over 150 internship vacancies exclusive to second or penultimate year students at Sussex.

We connected with Corinne Card, co-founder and director at Full Story Media, about her experiences as an internship host for the first time last year. 

Tell us about you and your organisation

I am Corinne, co-founder and director at Full Story Media. We are a Brighton-based media consultancy which helps gain press and publicity for mission-led entrepreneurs who are trying to change the world for the better.

We regularly get top-tier national coverage for our clients in places like BBC World, The Times and the Guardian, as well as helping our clients gain coveted awards such as the Queen's Award for Enterprise and help get their foot in the door to speak at world-renowned events such as TED.

What type of employment do you offer to students and/or recent graduates?

Last summer we opened our doors for the first time and took on an intern from the University of Sussex. It has gone so well that we would definitely consider doing the same again in the future.  

What do you look for in a successful candidate?

We are looking for people who are self-starters and already entranced and enmeshed in the world of media. We know that some Sussex students have used their time to gain practical experience, for example, getting their own stories published in the press, making films to a high standard or carrying out photography at the highest standard. 

We're looking for people who can prove their enthusiasm and commitment through the work they've carried out independently so we know they will hit the ground running.

What makes a good application?

We value examples of previous work over anything else. If we can see what you've done, it helps us imagine what you could do for our clients.  

What experiences have you had with hosting students as interns?

When we hired in the Summer we didn't quite know what to expect but we did know our intern, Adele, had achieved some very impressive results getting stories published in national publications including the i newspaper. We hoped Adele would be able to achieve similar things on behalf of our clients. 

During the internship, Adele secured coverage for one of our clients in The Times as well as numerous other publications. She was constantly bursting with ideas and brought a fresh perspective which was incredibly valuable. We were astounded by her work ethic and we seemed to blend well as a team. 

By the end of Adele's internship, our business was performing better than ever and I think that was connected with her performance as an intern. It really did have that much impact. By the end it was a no-brainer that we would want to keep her on beyond the internship stage and, as a result, she is now a valued member of the team.

Why do you think students should take part in an internship?

It could be a shortcut into an industry which excites you. 

What would you say to students who are unsure about applying or taking part?

If you have a passion for the industry and you want to get going, it's definitely worth a go.

How will the programme help students to develop the skills you would look for in someone you would hire for your company?

You soak up so much from being in the live environment of a real life workplace. Plus, a good provider will offer training as part of the internship - it's win-win because both sides benefit from a well trained intern.  

If students are interested in finding out more about your organisation or your sector, where should they look?  

Email me with examples of relevant work such as published articles, video or photography, marketing campaigns you've run or anything else you think could be relevant to our business: corinne@fullstorymedia.co.uk

You can also search for Full Story Media vacancies on CareerHub.

Interested?

Career Lab UK Summer Internships are open to all second and penultimate year students. Applications open in March 2023 and deadlines vary up until 16 June 2023. Early applications are advised, as vacancies may close at short notice.

The programme is part of Career Lab, a series of opportunities designed to develop students' skills, experiences and confidence, to help boost career prospects. Places are prioritised for students from underrepresented backgrounds, and we particularly welcome your application.

Further information: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/careers/career-lab/uk-summer-internship