A paid internship for black and minority ethnic graduates, run by Northern Lights PR is helping regional business partners, including Hallmark and Northern Rail, to reach potential new customers from diverse communities. 

The Harrogate consultancy is working in partnership with Bradford University School of Management, industry experts and businesses to give BAME graduates hands on experience of working in corporate communications and public relations – a sector where these communities have historically been underrepresented.  

Jamie Burles, Commercial Director, Northern Rail said: “We are delighted to be involved with the Northern Lights’ internship and working with their interns on our Northern Ambassadors project. Their insight and ideas are valuable to ensure its success.   

“We have worked closely with graduates on a number of projects in our business and remain committed to providing opportunities for them to apply their learning in a real work environment.”

During a packed three weeks, five interns attended a range of master classes led by industry experts covering media relations, press photography, social media in business and blogging. 

Guest speakers included Saeeda Ahmed from social enterprise Trescom who led a Jobskills workshop, Karyn Fleeting from Tinderbox who ran a session on social media and Charlotte Renwick  from Bradford University who spoke to the group about working as part of an in house PR team.

The five were also tasked by marketing and communications professionals to come up with creative ideas to encourage more use of the railways and a new range of greetings cards celebrating special occasions for different cultures.

Commenting on the internship experience, Gabriel St Aimee said: “The public require companies to communicate effectively with them and I hadn’t realised what a skill that is. 

“Meeting so many people, from all walks of life and professional backgrounds, willing to share their expertise, has really opened my eyes to the possibilities for my own future.” 

The five interns are, Gabriel St Aimee, Nafisa Shafiq, Shaeeb Tanwir, Liane Clarke and Mohammed Waheed.  With degrees in a variety of subjects, including History and IT the extra skills and business experience offered by the internship has increased their career options. 

Northern Lights plans to offer a similar internship for BME graduates in 2011