POV: You just started the TFD grad scheme
TFD’s graduate programme is now in its third consecutive year. To give applicants an insight into what it’s like on the scheme and working at TFD, we chatted with Santhana and Ellie, our two most recent graduates, about their journeys through the programme and beyond.
Both Ellie and Santhana joined us in June 2024. Ellie started at TFD following her Modern Languages degree at the University of Warwick, where she studied Spanish, Italian, and Mandarin, while Santhana studied English and Classics at the University of Nottingham. Ellie works on all our quantum clients and is an integral part of TFD’s marketing team, and Santhana works across cybersecurity, enterprise solutions, and digital reality clients. In the time since they joined they have both progressed to Account Executives, and have established themselves as key members of the TFD team!
What motivated you to join TFD’s graduate scheme?
Ellie: After graduating from university, I began searching for graduate roles while honing my skills in tech, AI, and coding. I was really drawn to the technology field, its expansiveness, and its constant new developments. So when I discovered TFD’s grad scheme, a PR role focusing on deep tech, I was instantly drawn to it!
Santhana: I was looking for a graduate scheme that promised hands-on experience from day one. TFD stood out for its perfect balance of training and independent work, allowing me to engage with exciting projects and cool clients. It checked all the boxes I was looking for!
How have you progressed since completing the graduate scheme, and how did it prepare you for your current role?
Ellie: When I joined the scheme, I was completely new to PR, so I’m amazed at how far I’ve come. From day one, we received practical training in crafting pitches and press releases, skills I’ve frequently applied while launching successful PR campaigns for our clients.
Right from the start, the meaningful responsibilities I had boosted my confidence and sharpened my abilities. Working directly with clients and witnessing the impact of our efforts has been a real highlight.
Santhana: Started from the bottom, now we’re here!
I joined with hardly any knowledge of PR ins and outs and what goes into a research project or PR campaign. The hands-on nature of the grad scheme helped me grasp the basics quickly. Now, I can just crack on with any task thrown my way. It’s a rigorous six-month programme, but the opportunity to get involved with diverse clients on a huge range of tasks quickly taught me the essentials for media relations, pitch writing, and client engagement.
What has been your favourite project to work on?
Ellie: I’m passionate about celebrating women’s achievements, so it was fulfilling to help the brilliant female engineers at Aquark Technologies showcase their work and inspire other women to pursue careers in tech. Also, big shoutout to our team’s recent work on Aquark’s Boaty McBoatface. ;) We had all the boat puns!
Santhana: I loved working on our recent Save the Knowledge Worker campaign for Kolekti. This involved roundtables and a PR mailer. I was responsible for sourcing and ordering products for the mailer and researching influencers and media contacts who would be ideal people to receive our ‘Kolekti care package.’ This was a hands-on project that built my confidence in media relations, and it even led to my first in-person media meet with Ollie Pickup, which was cool.
What is your favourite part about working at TFD?
Ellie: The people in the team are the best part (the views from the building’s rooftop bar are a close second). TFD’s culture and workplace environment are so welcoming! From the first day, everyone was so lovely and wanted to support us in any way they could to enhance our experience; there are no silly questions at TFD. We were paired up with a buddy from the previous grad cohort, which is a lovely way to ask questions, discuss how you’re feeling and get an idea of how things work in an informal way.
Santhana: Without a doubt, the people are a highlight. At the start of your career, it’s so important to feel supported and know you can ask questions; not only are they knowledgeable and willing to support more junior team members, but they’re just a great group. We all get on well, which makes coming into the office lots of fun.
The playlist (learning and loving message in a bottle)
I’ll second Ellie’s point, shouting out the rooftop, especially now that the weather is warming up.
And finally, if you could give one piece of advice to someone starting the graduate scheme, what would it be?
Ellie: Make sure you fully immerse yourself in the experience and learn as much as possible from the team! Everyone is talented at what they do and is always willing to share their knowledge with junior team members, so don’t hesitate to learn from your colleagues.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and soak up knowledge at every opportunity.
Looking back at my last year at TFD, I have learnt so much and feel lucky to work with such a fun and talented team. I cannot recommend the scheme enough to aspiring marketing and PR graduates!
Santhana: Come with an open mind. Embrace how much you’ll learn from people constantly. You have the opportunity to work with some of the best PR whizzes in the field - make the most of it and just enjoy yourself!