Partner Article

Being a Student at Benchmark

When I applied for the student placement at Benchmark, my CV stated that I was hardworking, had excellent time management and that I thrive under pressure. Well, since getting the job as Project Coordinator they have certainly been putting my CV to the test!

In the last year, I have worked on over 20 events, have travelled to each end of the country and have attended conferences in a handful of industries. Unlike the student vocabulary I had become so used to, procrastination is not a word to be used in events management.

Many companies now advertise their student placements with the line ‘you won’t be making the tea’. Well, at Benchmark Communications that’s not entirely true..

If I’ve learnt anything during my time here is that they all like a good brew! If like me you can’t make it to 11am without one, you’ll be spending a whole lot of time stood by the kettle trying to memorise how each of your colleagues likes their cuppa. We have a Sales Manager whose tea needs to be strong enough to knock out a rugby team and a Finance Manager who always has to be awkward and be the only one to ask for a coffee. And I have never been so nervous than to make a cup of tea than for one of the Directors. Water in first, then the tea bag, if you can’t see the bottom start again! But for every cup of tea I’ve made, I’ve had many more made for me (even ONCE by the Finance Manager!).

The point I’m trying to make is that everyone at Benchmark works together, whether it’s helping out on a last minute tasks the night before an event or just getting the cups of tea, every person pulls their weight and that’s what I have spent the last year trying to do.

I have learnt that events management is not always glamorous, it is certainly not easy and whatever claims you made on your CV will definitely be put to the test. But it is an experience I wouldn’t give up for the world and the end of my one-year placement has come around far too quickly.

Abbie Turner

Project Coordinator

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jennifer Westmoreland .