11 March 2021
Events Management students at Fife College have been working on local arts projects in the region to help them gain vital work experience.
Organised through Fife’s largest cultural organisation, OnFife, the students have been carrying out work on theatre, film and library projects to help promote their upcoming activities.
The tasks are part of the Shine On programme of online events launched by OnFife last year, and forms part of Fife College's wider programme of work with local organisations to help students gain work experience.
Despite the restrictions caused by the pandemic, the partnership between OnFife and the College has meant that students haven’t missed out on getting first-hand knowledge of what it is like to work in the events management industry.
Examples of their work include working with the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline to promote the return of film screenings, and a project with local libraries to engage with teenagers.
Fiona McLeod, a lecturer in Events Management at Fife College said:
“We’re determined to ensure that our students don’t miss out as a result of the pandemic, and these partnerships are giving them vital work experience.
“We really appreciate the opportunities OnFife have helped us secure for those studying Events Management with us.
“All of the knowledge they’re gaining from working with these arts groups will help them in their careers, while also helping promote some great local events.”
Student Mirryn Rattray, from Cowdenbeath, is creating a marketing plan to promote the relaunch of cinema screenings at Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall, aimed at 16 to 24 year olds. Mirryn said:
“It’s allowing me to work within an events team and giving me amazing and relevant experience, which will be a welcome addition to my CV.”
Classmate Kayla Robinson, from Dunfermline, is helping staff promote OnFife’s Spring Festival, which will feature six online events that showcase some of Fife’s best creative talent. Kayla said:
“It’s been fantastic to apply my course work in a real-life setting.
“I’m gaining an in-depth understanding of the sector and getting an insight into potential career paths.”
Fellow student Will Little, also from Dunfermline, is working with staff who are involved in a project that seeks to increase Fife Libraries’ engagement with teenagers. Will said:
“The OnFife team has been very accommodating – it’s such a fun environment. It’s been great to learn what’s going on in the events industry just now.”
OnFife’s Partnerships & Creative Development Manager Dan Brown says the students’ curiosity and enthusiasm has been hugely beneficial when planning activities. Dan said:
"Collaborating with the students has been a pleasure.
“It’s a real two-way process and we are learning as much from the students as they are from working with us."
Photograph: Carnegie Hall, Dunfermline, where OnFife will be relaunching its community cinema screenings with marketing input from one of the students.
