Paid Work Experience Placement

Paid Work Experience Placement

Media & Publishing Sector

The PPA Paid Work Experience Programme connects individuals looking to start a career in the media and publishing sector with paid, short-term placements across a wide range of media businesses.

Placements are typically around four weeks in length and provide hands-on experience, meaningful project work, and exposure to professional working environments across areas including editorial, marketing, events, commercial, audience development, social media, design, data, and operations.

All placements offered through the scheme are paid, with participating employers paying at least National Living Wage, or London Living Wage where relevant.

Participants will:

• Support live business projects and day-to-day team activity
• Gain practical experience within a professional media environment
• Build workplace confidence, communication, and collaboration skills
• Develop an understanding of how modern media businesses operate
• Receive guidance and support from experienced industry professionals
• Leave with valuable experience to support future job applications and interviews

The scheme is designed to make the media and publishing sector more accessible, helping individuals from a broad range of backgrounds take their first steps into the industry.

Employers involved range from major international publishers to specialist and independent media brands.

Successful candidates will be curious, proactive, eager to learn, and enthusiastic about media, publishing, storytelling, audiences, or creative industries. Previous industry experience is not required.

Qualifications:

• No formal qualifications required
• A-levels, college, university, apprenticeship, or equivalent study welcomed
• An interest in media, publishing, journalism, marketing, communications, events, design, digital content, or commercial business functions
• Evidence of extracurricular projects, volunteering, content creation, social media activity, student media, blogging, podcasts, or creative work is advantageous
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Basic digital literacy, including familiarity with Microsoft Office / Google Workspace

Interests and attributes:

• Interest in media, storytelling, publishing, culture, current affairs, or digital platforms
• Curious, proactive, and eager to learn
• Strong attention to detail
• Comfortable working collaboratively with others
• Positive attitude and willingness to contribute
• Open to trying new tasks and gaining experience across different areas
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Enthusiastic about developing a career within the media and publishing sector
• Interest in audiences, brands, social media, content, events, or creative industries more broadly

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those who may not previously have considered a career in the media and publishing sector.