Thomas Campbell

“I undertook my Communication internship at Neighbourly, a Kiwi owned and operated online community platform, with a key focus on creating connections and reinvigorating pride in New Zealand’s neighbourhoods.

“I came into the role thinking that the executive team would give me ‘typical’ intern jobs. But it was the complete opposite – I was thrown straight in the deep end and it couldn’t have been better. I was able to fully immerse myself in the company, work culture and company imperatives.

“My main responsibility was looking after Neighbourly’s social media channels. Dealing with public relations on a Stuff owned asset was such a valuable experience, considering the changing nature of the digital communications industry.

“I was also involved in crisis management around Covid-19. While many businesses saw a drop in demand, we saw a record 500 sign ups per day for the month of April.

“We wanted Neighbourly to be a place to go when face to face connections were no longer possible. It was incredibly rewarding and humbling seeing users get involved with our nationwide campaigns that aimed to encourage interactions between neighbours in their virtual communities.

“I also supported the Content Manager with numerous content campaigns including a popular nationwide photography call to action which saw our users get out and about, showing off what their regions have to offer to New Zealanders.

“The skills I gained doing a BA helped me maximise the quality of my work at Neighbourly. Understanding the principles of journalism was vital when I needed to analyse and draw conclusions from various pieces of data and other information. 

“The internship was such a privilege. I was right in the thick of projects that I felt were really valuable for my career development and for the CV.

"An internship at any company looks great on your CV and will have a massive impact on your candidacy for entry-level jobs.”