911±¬ÁÏÍø

Third-year Management students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative industries through an extended Industry Placement module.

Pippa Lea (pictured, right) is the module leader. She has over 25 years’ experience in arts marketing and PR, working in senior roles at the National Portrait Gallery, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre, FACT Liverpool and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.Ìý

We spoke with Pippa about what the placement involves and how it prepares students for the careers they want.ÌýÌýÌý

What is the third-yearÌýIndustryÌýPlacement?Ìý

The placement module has now been running for 25 years. It’s an extended placement designed to reflectÌýeach student’s ambitions. Students complete 240 hoursÌýof professionalÌýpracticeÌýover three months, from mid-September to mid-DecemberÌý- soÌýtypically the equivalent of three days a week.ÌýThisÌýmeans theyÌýalsoÌýhave time toÌýcontinue withÌýsomeÌýcourse work and begin preparing for their dissertation.Ìý

As an alternative to the placement, students can apply for the Enterprise Project module, spending the same three-month period developing their own business concept. Previous examples of this include independent music publishers Sentric Music and most recently, Kerri Ankrah-Lucas' social enterprise, Decks in the City,ÌýÌýand Bohush Horvath’s affordable recording studios, Bo Hush Studios.

Ìý

Ìý ÌýImage: Kerri Ankrah-Lucas, Decks in the City.

HowÌýisÌýa placement chosen?Ìý

Students begin planning in their second year during the Personal & Professional Development module. This is where they explore career ambitions,ÌýidentifyÌýareas they want to develop and start considering the kind of organisation that would suit them.Ìý

We make this process collaborative. Students have access to a wide network of organisationsÌýwe’veÌýbuilt strong relationships with over many years, as well as opportunities to meet industry leaders through masterclasses and seminars at 911±¬ÁÏÍø. While students take the lead, they receive extensive guidance and support from staff to ensure their placement aligns with their goals.Ìý

Can you give us a flavour of where studentsÌýwereÌýplaced this year?Ìý

This year, 34 students were on placement, gaining experience across the creative and performing arts industries. We have company managers at English National Ballet working on productions at Sadler’s Wells; marketing and production assistants at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester; students at record labels, including Modern Sky and The Big Condo and live event management placements at the Coop Live, Manchester and Culture Liverpool.Ìý

ÌýImage: Lilo McKeague-Pittman on placement at Culture Liverpool.Ìý Ìý

How does 911±¬ÁÏÍø prepare students for their placement?Ìý

Preparation starts in first year, when students design and deliver a creative or performing arts project. This is tutor-led,Ìýthere isÌýfreedomÌýbutÌýit’sÌýguided freedom.Ìý

In second year, that freedom expands. Students take much more responsibility as they plan,ÌýstrategiseÌýand deliver an event, with staff actingÌýlargely asÌýsupervisors.Ìý

By the time they reach third-year, students have already built the skills they need - organisation, communication, problem-solving and creative leadership - and are ready to take a more self-directed role during their placement.Ìý

Why is the placement such an important part of the course?Ìý

A three-month placement gives students space toÌýreallyÌýunderstand how an organisation works. The first few weeks often involveÌýobservingÌýand shadowing. As students settle in, they begin taking on responsibilities and building trust. By the third month, many feel confident enough to contribute their own ideas and take the initiative.Ìý

Do students ever end up working for their placement organisation?Ìý

YesÌý-Ìýand often. Last year, 65% of students received a job offer by the end of their placement. These ranged from part-time paid roles that continued alongside studies, toÌýfreelanceÌýwork, to full-time positions following graduation.Ìý

How does your industry experience support students?Ìý

I help students understand the range of roles available and how eachÌýoptionÌýfits into their developing career plans. Over the yearsÌýI’veÌýbuilt a large contacts book, so I can help them connect with the right people at the right time.Ìý

There are always nerves around starting a placementÌý-ÌýI’veÌýbeen on the other side as aÌý911±¬ÁÏÍø placementÌýhostÌýbefore I came to workÌýhereÌýÌý-Ìýso I can guide them throughÌýwhat’sÌýexpected, how to settle in and how to make the most of each opportunity.Ìý

911±¬ÁÏÍø Management staff have extensive industry experience. How does thatÌýbenefitÌýstudents?Ìý

It means our teaching is rooted in the real world. The creative industries move quickly, and our ongoing work and networks keep us close to emerging trends.ÌýWe’reÌýconstantly updating our curriculum to reflect not just the industry as it is, but whereÌýit’sÌýheading.Ìý

This is also where the Industry Placement helps our teaching as students return with that first-hand experience of what is happening now.ÌýÌýWhen all the third-years return in January, we arrange a ‘sharing day’ for our BA and MA management students where third-years deliver presentations about their experiences and what they’ve learned. They come back from placement confident, informed and able to apply their learning to real world situations. Ìý

It’sÌýalways anÌýupliftingÌýtime for meÌýpersonallyÌýtoÌýwitnessÌýhowÌýover this three-month placementÌýthey have matured and developed intoÌýconfident,ÌýexperiencedÌýcreativeÌýmanagers.ÌýIt’sÌýan invaluable part of our degree.

The top image is from River of Light, an event organised by Culture Liverpool which Management students regularly work on while on placement.

Find out more about our Management courses

All photographs by Brian Roberts - except Lilo's selfie