Job overview

The Stuart Ross BAME Press Office Internship is a diversity initiative targeted at students of African, Afro-Caribbean, Asian or Chinese origin (or a combination of the above) who are studying or have recently graduated. These groups are under-represented regionally, and nationally, in PR which is why we created this scheme in 2006. In 2016, the internship was renamed the Stuart Ross BAME Internship after TfL's former director of news Stuart Ross, who passed away in January 2016 after a battle with cancer. Stuart was a passionate supporter of the scheme from its inception and a key part of its success to date.

What will I be doing?

Based in one of the UK's busiest press offices, you'll get a sense of what working in a high-pressured PR environment is like and the essential skills you need to start your career in PR. From the beginning of your internship, you'll be involved in handling the big stories of the day affecting London’s transport and delivering dedicated stories and campaigns.  You’ll learn all the skills you need to work in public relations, from writing press releases, dealing with journalists and managing media interviews to generating ideas for high profile campaigns and organising media events.  These could include campaigns like the ‘Please offer me a seat’ badge, art on the underground and London Poppy day.

What do we look for?

We’re looking for people who are:

• Motivated to learn and gain experience during the internship
• Passionate about a career in Public Relations
• Thrive in a team

As a member of the team, we’ll give you responsibility and the opportunity to add value from day one.  If you are excited by inspiring and influencing the future of London and are up for a challenge and thrive under pressure, then this is the career path for you.

Where can this career take me?

Past interns have done the internship as a year in industry while at university, or once they have graduated. In both cases, this programme has been highly successful and our interns have gone on to work in public relations and communications roles in TfL as well as the Metropolitan Police, Marks & Spencer, NHS, local government and the Arts Council.

What development and support will you get?

Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements.  We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities and structured networking opportunities with scheme alumni. You will receive one-to-one support throughout the programme from your scheme sponsor and your Line Manager. You’ll also be connected to a ‘buddy’ who will be an alumnus from the scheme.

Entry requirements
You must be an undergraduate or recent graduate of BAME (as defined above) origin on track to receive, or have already achieved, a 2:2 in any degree, or, have no more than one year’s experience in media, PR or other related fields.

Duration

11 months

Location

London

Bursary

A bursary to cover London living expenses