Expanded Proposal

Full Name: Keely Sheridan

Student Number: 10012989

I intend to carry out my work experience within a company called Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine In Cheltenham. I will be working alongside the company's Editorial Designer, Steve Rayner, who is my Work Placement Mentor and contact personnel.

I have selected this organisation through a process of careful selection. As a student with commitments to university, a focus point for me was not only making the right choice in placement (that would give me considerable experience in the working world, while also preparing me for a job in design) but also the distance. I was looking for the ideal placement, but within a reachable distance. I began by sending a series of emails out to all of the magazine and design agencies I could find within a sensible distance from my place of  study. Most of the companies I found were situated in the city I live in, or in Birmingham - a neighbouring city. I was prepared to travel to either, when among the emails I received a response from Debbie Graham at Worcestershire Life Magazine, who let me know they were actually based in Norfolk, then directed me to Steve Rayner at their "sister company" Discover Britain and Wild Travel Magazine in Cheltenham, only a short train journey and walk away from where I currently live. This opened the door for a potential work experience placement. 

Once I had been directed to Mr. Rayner, I got on to emailing him immediately and enquiring about the possibility of work experience with him. This turned out successfully, and he was enthused about helping me out with my work experience, and gave me all of the necessary details about starting.

Once I'd organised my work experience with Steve Rayner, I set up with him the date of which I'd start my work experience (Thursday 14th February) and my working hours (10am-5pm). We discussed my current skills with design software (such as InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop and QuarkXpress) and how I would make my way into work once a week. 

Once the work details were arranged, I gave consideration into what expertise and transferable skills I would bring to a workplace. For example, I have 3 years of solid experience with design software and work that I've created myself using these programmes, and I also work to my utmost to be a polite and approachable colleague with a balance between hard work ethic and a friendly demeanour.

Although I have not been given a specific list of requirements, I have received a general job specification. This is as follows:

"As far as your query as to what sort of tasks you will be undertaking is concerned, I think we will take each day as it comes - if that's OK. Initially I will explain all about the duties expected of me in my role and I will tell you a bit about my background. For the first couple of days we will get you involved with picture research as this takes up quite a lot of my time and is a more skilled task than you might imagine. At some stage I will set you design tasks to be carried out in QuarkXpress or Indesign - are you familiar with these programs? these initially will be in a dummy environment but at some stage I would hope that we would be able to work on 'live' jobs. I will be careful not to put too much pressure on you so don't worry about this.

As I said though let's wait and see how things progress during your time with us and as we discover what type of work you are keen to get involved with. I am more than confident you will gain plenty from the experience which hopefully will be useful when it comes to making decisions about your career in general."

I look forward to starting work alongside Mr. Steve Rayner on Thursday 14th February at Discover Britain (and more specifically) Wild Travel Magazine, and will relish the opportunity to gain further experience with a professional Editorial Designer in the magazine design field.