Supporting the next generation of event professionals matters to us.  From sponsoring the Events Management prize at Robert Gordon University to welcoming placement students into our team, we want to give people starting out a real taste of the industry: the planning, the teamwork and the moments that make it worthwhile.

Earlier this year, RGU Events Management student Ellen spent three months with our events team. Here’s her take on life behind the scenes at Mearns & Gill.

"Choosing to study Events Management at Robert Gordon University has always included the need for a practical, experiential element to my degree. Therefore, I thought the opportunity of carrying out a three-month Events placement at Mearns & Gill would be a great experience. The desire for me to conduct my placement at Mearns & Gill while studying Events Management was so that I could truly understand the realities of working within the events sector and being able to challenge myself in the workplace.

Throughout the three-month placement, I was given many opportunities to become involved in a diverse range of activities and tasks that were related to event planning and execution. One of the most positive aspects of my placement was the range of different tasks that I undertook daily, which allowed me to continually develop new skills within my role. Furthermore, I was given responsibility and had the opportunity to support Mearns & Gill with several events and projects, giving me an insight into the amount of work carried out behind the scenes prior to an event taking place.

Speaking to the staff across the company and learning about the role each plays within the business was one of the most beneficial aspects of my placement. I found it interesting to understand how each person participates daily, how the various departments interrelate with one another, and what each person enjoys most about their position at Mearns & Gill. Being able to participate in these discussions has given a far more complete picture of the organisation, while also highlighting the significance that collaboration and communication have on successfully completing work for clients and in delivering successful events.

One of the biggest things I will take away from these three months is building my confidence. I was nervous to come into a professional workplace when I started this placement, but with the support of the team, I became more confident and independent. Being able to use what I’ve learned at university in a real-life setting has deepened my interest in pursuing a career in this industry.

Reflecting on the past three months, I have got so much out of my placement at Mearns & Gill. I have been given lots of experience from within the industry and opened my eyes to new opportunities. This has been such a rewarding experience as part of my university journey, and I will definitely take the knowledge and skills I have gained with me into the future."

Ellen Smith, third-year Events Management student at RGU