My placement journey at the University of Salford’s Marketing Department as an International Marketing Assistant has been nothing short of a dynamic and rewarding experience. Since September 2023, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the University’s global marketing objectives, leaving my mark on various key initiatives. 

Read on to find out exactly what I got up to during my placement. 

Social media mastery

One of my primary responsibilities has been helping to plan and manage the University of Salford’s international social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. Along with two of my coursemates, I have helped to plan content which I know international students will want to see and engage with. By leveraging both platforms strategically, we’ve not only expanded our reach but also fostered meaningful connections with our international audience. 

Compelling content creation

Content is the cornerstone of effective communication, and as part of my role, I’ve dedicated efforts to creating compelling social media content that resonates with our target audience. Whether it’s crafting engaging blog posts or developing visually appealing and informative short videos/reels, the goal was always to communicate the University’s brand messages effectively to our international audience. I have also consulted insights from survey results to understand international students’ motivations for studying at Salford and have tried to use these to create content which will resonate with future international students. Overall, I have helped to create content to tell future international students about what it is like to study at Salford and how they can settle into studying here.

Campaigns that captivate

I’ve been actively involved in developing and creating a new campaign for the School of Arts Media and Creative Technology to promote our creative courses and showcase the exciting careers that our graduates go on to have. It is a multi-channel campaign being used across a number of different platforms including the Study International Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, web and email. The campaign so far was very well received, and it is helping to boost the University’s brand across our key target markets. As the campaign continues, I am hopeful that this will result in more students enrolled in the University’s creative courses next year. 

Seamless event marketing

Event marketing is vital to showcase the University’s unique selling points, and I’ve played a key role in ensuring the seamless execution a takeover of one of international students’ key influencers, Study UK. Before the event, I was tasked with researching other universities takeovers to understand what works well in order to implement this into our takeover. During the takeover, I was tasked with showing off our campus through creating engaging content for Study UK’s Instagram stories. Throughout the day I also monitored engagement and answered questions left for us. 

In wrapping up my time as an International Marketing Assistant at the University of Salford, I reflect on a journey filled with diverse experiences, strategic contributions, and the satisfaction of seeing our initiatives come to life. Having completed my placement with the team, I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities to enhance the University’s global presence and contribute to its mission. As I move forward, I carry with me the valuable lessons learned and the pride of being part of a team that continually strives for excellence in international marketing.