Meet Rebecca
Placement Student
My name is Rebecca Hanna, I’m studying a BSc in Communication Management and Public Relations and I’ve worked as a Communications Assistant during my placement year with NIE Networks.
I was really keen to build my knowledge and get a taste for the world of communications during my placement but I also wanted to improve my skills and increase my own confidence. NIE Networks is such a big company in Northern Ireland so I was intrigued to see what it was like working behind the scenes – and they also have fantastic staff benefits!
Coming into my first day I was made to feel welcome by all the staff, everyone was so friendly and chatty which did help me ease into my first week. The communications team couldn’t have been more welcoming and they make coming to work very enjoyable.
I was surprised at how flexible the company is, I always thought placement would be 5 days in the office 9-5, but with where I live and other commitments, flexible working and working from home was a huge bonus for me. Every 3-4 months we have a student placement catch up which was a pleasant surprise as well as it’s great to hear from all the other students and see what kind of work they are doing.
Tuesdays are my favourite day of the week as it’s our team day so seeing everyone in the office is great and we always have good craic. I work on internal communications so I would write up articles and upload them onto our internal website and I look after the communications for our Charity of the Year, B positive, which has been eye opening and great that I’ve had my own project for the year.
Since I was a teenager doing GCSE’s I’ve known this was the industry I wanted to work in and working with NIE Networks this year has brought to life my vision and confirmed to me that I want a career in this profession.
I don’t think I could have asked for a better experience, from working and directing videos for B Positive, to helping set up and take the lead on internal and external events, it has hugely benefited me work wise. I feel much more confident going into final year, I’ve learnt so much from my amazing team and I never imagined some of the things I would be doing.
I will definitely miss working for NIE Networks and would really encourage anyone considering a placement at NIE Networks to go for it! Working here has exceeded my expectations, I couldn’t have asked for a better 10 months and the opportunities that they provide you with are great.
If I could I would do it all over again!