Hannah Cocker - Marketing and Communications Intern

I’ve always wanted a career in marketing and communications, but when I graduated university with a degree in English, I found it difficult to find a job that wasn’t asking for years of experience. Most opportunities didn’t excite me either. The endless scrolling on LinkedIn and my mom’s constant emails with links to Indeed posts left me feeling a bit cynical. 

I knew I wanted to work somewhere creative, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like. I played piano, loved literature and enjoyed writing, yet the only career advice I seemed to get was: ‘why don’t you go into teaching?’ 

When I saw the internship at Severn Arts, it felt like the perfect entry-level role. I remember the morning before my graduation, laptop on my lap in my dress, typing away at my application. For the first time, I’d found a job I was genuinely excited about. 

The transition from English to marketing wasn’t always easy. My default was academic, flowery writing, and it took a few drafts before I mastered writing concise, engaging social media captions. There was also so much to learn. Marketing touches every aspect of the charity, so understanding all the amazing projects Severn Arts runs took time. 

Graphic design was completely new to me. I’d created basic Instagram posts as publicity officer for a university society, but working with brand guidelines, responding to feedback from multiple stakeholders and ensuring every post had a purpose was a whole new ball game! I even took a graphic design course to improve my skills and was proud to see the difference in my work.  

I’ve also been lucky to explore other areas of Severn Arts. After learning more about fundraising and bid writing, I was able to attend a bid writing workshop! This is an area I’d never even known about before I applied to Severn Arts. 

I’m incredibly thankful to the team at Severn Arts for giving me the chance to start my career in marketing and communications!

At Severn Arts, we're passionate about helping young people kickstart their career. We have lots of opportunities to get involved with us, so click the link below to explore! 

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