October 7, 2024, by bbztlg

Cold Calls, Hot Topics: My Summer of Social Change

Ruehie Jaiya Karri’s experience of a Nottingham University Business School Placement at People of the Streets, facilitated by the Researcher Academy

I am writing this fresh off an incredible journey with People of the Streets (POTS) through the Postgraduate Placements Programme. Buckle up, because I’m about to take you on a whirlwind tour of my experience tackling homelessness from behind a computer screen (mostly).

When I first landed this gig, I thought, “Cool, I’ll be doing some research and maybe making a few phone calls.” Little did I know I’d be diving headfirst into the world of B2B sales, stakeholder schmoozing, and unravelling the complex web of UK social services. Talk about a crash course in adulting!

My mission was to map out potential partners and funders for POTS’s ground-breaking work and apply my skills in marketing to build brand awareness around POTS. Picture me as a social impact detective, armed with nothing but a laptop and an endless supply of coffee. My days were filled with:

• Creating a database of local authorities and funders on Airtable

• Playing matchmaker between local authorities and POTS’s innovative programs

• Crafting pitch emails and writing grants

• Sitting in on meetings and furiously scribbling notes like my life depended on it

• Launching a newsletter and preparing a bank of social media content

Now, I won’t lie – there were moments when I felt like I was drowning in a sea of spreadsheets and bureaucratic jargon. But you know what? Those moments were worth it. Why? Because I got to see first-hand how a small organisation like POTS can make a massive impact on people’s lives.

The best thing about the placement?

Getting to interact and work with two incredibly talented mentors, Alexander Greenhalgh, CEO and Oliver Bream McIntosh, Programme Manager. I cherish the long meetings and brainstorming sessions that were filled with eons of learning for me. The amount of autonomy and creative freedom they gave me helped validate and build confidence in myself. When I reached out to Ollie who I was reporting to, for feedback on my work, he said:

“We’ve been delighted to host Ruehie through the Postgraduate Placements Programme, she has become a highly effective member of our team and her project has really brought value to our organisation, helping us prepare for a major rebrand as well as bringing new ideas and energy to our internal operations.”
Oliver Bream McIntosh, Programme Manager

 

Here are some nuggets of wisdom I picked up along the way:

1. Persistence pays off: Sometimes, it takes 10 emails and 5 calls to get a response. Don’t give up!

2. Flexibility is key: Be ready to pivot your approach faster than a cat chasing a laser pointer.

3. Network, network, network: Every connection can lead to new opportunities.

4. Never underestimate the power of a well-crafted email subject line.

The biggest eye-opener? Realising that social change doesn’t just happen on the streets – it starts with conversations, negotiations, and yes, even spreadsheets. Who knew Excel could be a tool for fighting homelessness?

As I wrap up this placement, I’m walking away with way more than just a line on my CV. I’ve got a newfound appreciation for the complexities of social policy, a Rolodex full of contacts (do people still use those?), and the satisfaction of knowing I played a small part in making a big difference.

To anyone considering a placement with POTS or any other social impact organisation, I say: DO IT. You’ll stretch your skills, expand your mind, and maybe even change a few lives along the way. Just be prepared for the occasional existential crisis when you realise how much there is to learn about the world of social services.

I am truly grateful to the University of Nottingham Business School and the Researcher Academy’s Postgraduate Placements team for this opportunity. This is your sign to register on the portal and dive headfirst into the experience of a lifetime!

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