Becky - Promoting Heroism
Becky Read
PR and Communications Executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
BA (Hons) English and Media
When deciding what to study at university, Becky knew that she loved both English and Media and found a degree at BCU that offered both. Now, she’s a PR and Communications Executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
“I always knew I wanted to study at university, but it wasn't until I was 14 and picking my GCSE options at school that I realised what field of study interested me the most. I had always enjoyed Literacy and English in my younger years and have always had a passion for reading. When picking my options, I chose the subject of Media Studies, which I really enjoyed.
As I was taking my A-Level exams, and throughout the summer between College and University, my dad became severely unwell, which did affect my grades a little and I was concerned I wouldn't get the required UCAS points to get into BCU. Fortunately, I managed to pull it off though, and BCU really was the perfect choice being so close to home given my dad's ill health.
My course gave me a grounding in different types of media and how audiences interact with them. It also gave me an insight into the fundamentals of promotional culture and helped me decide on what I wanted to do after my studies.
During my course, I also undertook some work experience with a local agency in Digbeth, Birmingham's creative quarter, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I started at BCU thinking that I wanted to teach afterwards, but in actual fact, PR was a better fit for me.
Since graduating from BCU, my experience has varied across different sectors and industries. I started my first role at a small marketing agency the day after my graduation ceremony. I struggled initially to settle into a new routine; going from a full-time student with a part-time retail job to being in full-time work was a shock to the system. The agency's clients were mostly from engineering and manufacturing backgrounds, which aren't really fields that I had ever been interested in and I realised within ten months that this wasn't the role for me.
Then, I was fortunate enough to be offered a role that was much closer to home, based back in Birmingham with NHS England. After 16 months, I decided I wanted to continue working in health communications but that I could take on more responsibility.
This is when I stumbled upon my current role with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity as a PR and Communications Executive for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Most days, I will check what missions the crews have been out on, to see if any could produce media enquiries and check our daily press coverage. I'll then schedule posts on social media and draft press releases to promote the fundraising we do and inform the public of all the campaigns we are working on. I also brief our design agency on any artwork requirements for event signage and promotional material.
In this job, I have the amazing opportunity to work with our crew at our airbases when we have high-profile media enquiries from the likes of BBC Midlands Today, or when we are filming a patient case study video.
I've played a part in some of our biggest fundraising events including a bike ride out and festival with 3,500 motorcyclists taking part, and our recognition awards and charity ball, both of which I will invite celebrity VIPs and charity ambassadors too.
Whilst I still sometimes feel like an imposter and that perhaps I'm just lucky with some of my ideas, I have to tell myself that I studied hard and got involved in lots of extracurricular activities during my time at BCU which has equipped me with the skills to do my job.
My proudest achievement since graduating has to be securing my role at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, every day I have to pinch myself that I get to do what I love for such an amazing lifesaving cause. I'm also surrounded by an amazing work family which provides a really inspiring, engaging and fun atmosphere to work and grow in.
My time at BCU really helped me grow in confidence and also accept who I am. Since graduating, I have built on this growth and continued to push myself professionally and personally. I'm now confident in my abilities and also in myself that I am enough as a person, and that I am capable of achieving my dreams.”
