Summer Placement

After going through the rigours of the interview process for the summer placement with Ogilivy, I was met with great news that I had secured a place on the 10 week scheme. It was a bit of a shock really. Knowing that over 100 people had applied for a scheme that only takes 7 people, I was astounded!

It is now the day before I embark on a new journey and the nerves are showing. Questions / voices spinning around in my head, but all I know is that it will be an invaluable experience that I will never forget.

Packing seems to be more of a problem though. Trying to sort out what I will need for the next few months is a daunting process. However, making a list will hopefully sort out my lack of organisation at the moment.

From big city Bristol to London, it's a change you can't really compare with any other. Gone is the relative peace and quiet, and welcome the total utter mayhem of living and commuting in the capital. But at what cost? Having such a dire financial position, I am not only hoping this opportunity will help ease my financial worries, but it will provide a learning curve for my next few years at University. Furthermore, with working for such a well renowned company, I am optimistic that it will put me in a good position for my year in industry in year 3.

I will update my journey on a regular basis to show my progression as a pr practitioner, but also as a human being!

Fox hunting - Should it be banned?

Fox hunting is a widely talked about issue prompting both positive (tradition) and negative (animal cruelty) viewpoints. The ethics have been in question for many years until the activity was banned in February 2005. I will use this space to demonstrate my attitudes and beliefs of whether this ban was the correct action.

Fox hunting has been a dominant part of society for hundreds of years. Usually participated by the wealthier citizens of society, it was seen as a release from work whilst also being an active form of employment. Many people disagree whether the sport is 'humane' or 'cruel'.

• Hounds predominantly catch the weaker foxes, leaving the stronger wants to breed and face the winter. Many people believe that if the foxes aren't strong enough to get away, then they are not fit enough to survive.
• Hunters and supporters of fox hunting believe that the deaths of foxes are quick and see it as humane as opposed to protestors who see it as being cruel.
• It is a form of tradition and plays a vital role in rural areas as well as in society as a whole
• More recently, it has given opportunities to people from different backgrounds and social status.
• Creates job opportunities and assists in preserving wildlife.
• "Foxes and vermin and their numbers need to be controlled". - BBC
• The 'hunt' is performed under strict rules which must be conformed to, minimising damage to the environment.

However, on the opposing side, fox hunting has been seen as irresponsible, cruel and ethically wrong.

• "Fox hunters chase foxes for pleasure and not because they want to help farmers. Foxes could be controlled by shooting instead". - CBBC
• It may be considered as a way of life, but people make money robbing people in the street? Does this make it right?
• Approximately 20,000 foxes and 10,000 dogs are killed taking part in fox hunting every year.
• Animal rights activists believe it is immoral to chase and kill animals for the sake of sport - BBC
• Deaths are considered much longer for the foxes - anything between a matter of seconds and a couple of hours.
• 82% claimed that the hunt's main role was as 'a recreational and social force embodying a traditional rural pastime' - This poses the question of why they have to kill? - Enviroweb

There are many arguments for and against the sport as you can see. On the plus side it acts as a social event and a form of pest control. However, the drawbacks include the undoubtedly cruel way of killing and the vast number of casualties (both foxes and dogs) as a result.

I don't believe in either banning it or ignoring the fact it promotes violence. However, I believe there are solutions.

• Government should offer hunters an opportunity to hunt on an irregular basis by organising an event.


• Strict perameters should be put in place - fenced off area to minimise damage.


• Hunters' should conform to government guidelines of what they can and can't do. Failure to do so resulting in severe penalties.

I don't believe a complete ban is neccessary. If we were to ban all cruel / violent sports think what would be left?

• Boxing - promotes violence.


• Rugby - aspects of violence - stamping, gouging, punching.


• Martial arts - self explanatory


• Extreme fighting - "............"


• Wrestling - "............"

The list goes on..... And what would the reaction be? Complete uproar!

I feel if the government could negotiate and offer some sort of alternative, it would benefit both parties. The likelihood of this happening is severly unlikely

Gazza

To see such a quick demise, it saddens me. From the sensational goal against Scotland in Euro 96 to being sectioned under the mental health act it's been some journey.

Controversy has surrounded Paul Gascoigne throughout his career, whether it was through late night antics, suspected wife beating and alcoholism, but no-one could doubt his ability as a professional footballer.

His demise has coincided with his retirement from playing. What was his livelihood, his enjoyment has caused his plight from superstar status.

He has received tremendous support from fellow ex professionals and Frank Bruno, and lets hope it gets him back on track, “I feel very, very sorry for Paul. He’ll be very frightened. It’s a horrible place to be. “I just hope and pray that he manages to pull through and gets better very soon.” - Frank Bruno.

I sincerely hope that he finds a route back into football to rescue him from the slide. I'm praying he doesn't head down the George Best route. Lets hope he has the strength and determination to see him through this battle.

Group Work

This has been a major talking point throughout this year. Despite gaining good results, group work infuriates me. The fact that one person does the majority of the work and gets the same grade as a person who does relatively nothing is a little bewildering. The marking scheme needs to be addressed and adjusted to achieve equality!

However, ironically the process has worked the other way. After calling several meetings with a group, certain individuals take it on themselves to do work without discussing the elements with the group. Everyone needs their portfolio filling, but do you really need to resort to selfish means to do this? It's a group effort. As the saying goes, "There is no I in team." And before you clever ones say, but there's a ME that's rubbish!

On the plus side, group interaction has helped develop relationships within the group and improve the way I look at things. With so many angles to take on a number of issues, it is important to take on the views of fellow group members. This aspect of discussion has improved my critical thinking significantly.

"Glory built on selfish principles, is shame and guilt."

Placements

Since Christmas I have been frantically trying to find placements. I have found many companies slightly disrespectful in terms of contact. Despite numerous emails and phone calls, I was met with no response or "I'll take your number and get back to you tommorow". But as you may have worked out, this doesn't happen. Has common courteousy flown out of the window? Or are first year students just too much of a burden to respond? The question I ask myself is, "Did they just fall on success, or did they require nuturing and guidance?"

It's like a driving test. You can't pass without an instructor, so they were guided through the correct processes in order to pass. How do people like myself develop skills and knowledge without the opportunity to illustrate your enthusiasm or motivation to learn?

Luckily I had a fortunate break, and secured a 4-day placement with global firm Ogilvy. Working for such a renowned company, will hopefully give me an insight into the way professionals work, hopefully picking up new skills along the way. Not only do I hope it will benefit my portfolio work, but also act as a learning curve.

"Good manners cost nothing."

The lead up to Christmas

Since September, I have been working tirelessly to learn new skills and put them into practise, whether in exams or placement opportunities.

Writing for PR

I particularly enjoyed this module as I have previously found writing as a weakness. It has taught me a number of key things.

• To be more consise.
• Avoid jargon and big 'fancy' words (it's not big and it's not clever!)
• Helped me with grammatical errors e.g. knowing when government should be in capital letters, and when it should be used in lower case.
• Gain a better structure to my work, cutting out any unneccessary waffle!

PR Theory

This has been by far the most challenging module so far. Despite its variety and interesting nature, I have found it particularly difficult to implement theories into my work. Furthermore, being such a big module, I found it difficult to balance this module with the modules working alongside. Thankfully I had a saving grace when it came to exam time. A combination of group and individual revision enabled me to soar through the exam.

"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail."