Students Get Enterprising Theatre View of 'Brand You'

Birmingham Metropolitan College Enterprise Academy students were treated to a curtain raising glimpse of the business structure behind Birmingham Hippodrome, the UK’s most visited theatre, whilst at the same time getting an insight into how they can create a personal brand to impress future employers.

BMet Enterprise Academy students studying a range of business and finance courses at Matthew Boulton Campus in Birmingham city centre were given an overview of the history and organisational structure of the theatre, followed by a presentation designed to help students think of themselves as a ‘business’ with their own mini organisational structure, to improve their chances of getting a job.

Caroline Davis, Strategic Projects Manager at Birmingham Hippodrome, said:  “As Birmingham’s most enduring theatre, being 115 years old, and recently voted The Times 100 best organisations to work for 2014 (not for profit), Birmingham Hippodrome hosts a variety of world class theatre including ballet, opera, musicals, dance and drama plus large-scale outdoor events. As a Charitable Trust, which also runs a whole host of Creative Learning  programmes, our business structure is fundamental to our ongoing success. I think it was really interesting for the students to see how the organisation is structured and what kind of job opportunities make up that structure.”

Helga Henry, Director of Creative Shift, part of Birmingham Hippodrome, said:  “We work with businesses and employers to help them focus on their brand, their vision and their image, and how they can improve their business relationships by thinking creatively about what they offer and how they communicate with key contacts.  My aim was to get students thinking about themselves as a brand, how they might stand out from the crowd, what makes them different and how they can make a positive impression.  In short, what makes them an ‘opportunity’ for an employer when they’re looking to fill job vacancies or a university when competing to study there.”

During the course of their studies, BMet Enterprise Academy students benefit from a range of guru lectures and workshops.  They are given the chance to visit businesses and attend networking events as well as being offered internships, work placements and work experience opportunities with partner organisations to improve their professional and personal development.

Suzie Branch, Executive Director of the BMet Enterprise Academy, said: “Interaction with businesses and employers is vital for students when preparing them for the world of work which is why guru lectures are so useful.  It’s our aim through the Enterprise Academy to top up academic skills with focus on employability to ensure that our students are ready for work and know how to sell themselves to future employers.”

Phillip Cornish, Business & Finance student, said: “I didn’t expect the business structure of the theatre to be involved so that was really interesting – I expected it to be mostly hospitality and catering.  I also think that by looking at ‘Brand You’, I’m going to revisit my CV and personal statements and try to make sure I get more work experience and voluntary work to show future employers what I’m capable of doing for them.”