Assistant, Press and PR Review

The Press and PR Assistant bridges between the Press Office and the Press Operations branches of the team. Press Office responsibilities include: maintaining the Toyota and Lexus media sites – by ensuring press releases, imagery assets, and vehicle pages are up to date – and monitoring Toyota and Lexus coverage in the media (through weekly and monthly reports). Press Operations responsibilities include: supporting in organising media events and vehicle press loans. Other responsibilities include: keeping other departments informed of press office activity and resulting coverage.

Plenty! It was a nice balance between having sufficient responsibility, and having the support there in case it all goes wrong, so the responsibility isn't solely on your shoulders while you're learning. That said, the PR team rely on their student as an equal member of the team and there is definitely enough workload to go round!

Yes, I learnt the importance of clear and concise copywriting when communicating essential information. This role also challenged my time management skills, when working with volatile media lists on tight deadlines for events. I also learn the importance of being personable, confident enough to approach and talk to journalists when they attend media events.

Lots! I had weekly one-to-ones with my manager and could schedule extra time if/whenever I needed. Everyone in my team was always on hand to answer questions and happy to jump on a teams call (if working from home) and talk through things. There were training opportunities probably once every three or four months, too, which meant I met other people from round the business and learnt more general business skills, rather than just PR specific ones.

Very supportive and chilled culture -- not unprofessional chilled, but treated with kindness chilled. Toyota has a policy of asking questions, and you're not taking your role seriously enough if you aren't asking at least one stupid question a week (not that any question can be stupid, more that all questions are encouraged and you aren't expected to figure things out on your own).

I definitely enjoyed my placement, but it helped me to realise that the automotive sector probably isn't for me... nothing against it, I'm just not that interested in cars (though have become more since I started!). You don't at all need to be a petrol-head to work here, and indeed most aren't, but being less passionate about the sector affected how much satisfaction I got from my job.

Yes