Digital Art student, Michael Brown, is settling into life as a Graphic Design Assistant after joining Esh Construction to complete an industry placement as part of his qualification.
Working within Esh’s Corporate Affairs Team 16 hours per week, the 18-year-old from Washington, is currently studying a BTEC Level 3 course at Sunderland College alongside his work placement.
Industry placements provide meaningful, real-life experience for students within the workplace, helping them become more prepared for the world of work when they complete their qualification.
To help showcase alternative career routes within the construction industry which differ from the perceived hands-on, site-based job roles, Michael speaks about his day-to-day role at Esh and how this placement will help him with his future career.
1 – What is your background before you secured the placement?
Before I started working with Esh, I was dipping my toes into the graphic design field in college, and through helping my dad with some of his design work.
I was made aware of the work placement opportunity by my Digital Art teacher, who told me I was very suitable for the placement and opted me in for an interview.
2 – What is a typical day at work like for you?
My average day at work includes, printing off pieces of workplace apparatus, such as business cards, informational posters, and ID badges for use by employees.
On the graphic design side, I often utilise Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to create designs for a multitude of things, including company event invites, newswire thumbnails, floorplans of the office blocks, and posters promoting hygiene and cleanliness in the workplace.
3 – What made you want to work in graphic design?
I have been studying a Photography and Graphic Design joint course for the past two years, but my dad inspired me to take steps into the graphic design industry when he started up a standalone business of his own during the pandemic. Seeing my dad create designs from nothing and his pride in the portfolio he created really made me want to venture into the same industry.
4 – Had you previously considered that you could be a graphic designer within the construction sector?
I wasn’t aware that the construction industry had a dedicated graphic design side to it, my placement has shown me that there is so much more to the industry than building and construction sites.
5 – How has your placement helped you with your studies and vice versa?
I think my skills as a graphic designer are improving, and I 100% percent know much more about graphic design now than before I started my placement with Esh.
I have been provided with a MacBook Pro and have access to the entire Adobe Suite, which I am forever grateful for. This allows me to work on outstanding work at home when I am not at college. My studies are also constantly teaching me new things about Illustrator and other Adobe Suite programmes which I can then utilise within my work placement to improve the quality of my work.
6 – What would you say to another young person who was considering a work placement?
If you’re on the ropes, give it a shot, I was very unsure about taking this placement as well, and very much considered waiting until college finished before getting a full-time job. I am so glad that I gave this work placement my time, because not only does a work placement ease you into the workplace environment with part-time hours, it also gives you all the training you need to be able to venture further into the industry in the future.
7 – What are your future career goals?
To stay within the graphic design field, constantly improving my skills, exceeding expectations. I want to become great within this field, and if I stick to what I’m doing now, I more than believe I can do it.
I am so glad that I gave this work placement my time, because not only does a work placement ease you into the workplace environment with part-time hours, it also gives you all the training you need to be able to venture further into the industry in the future.”
