Marketing Advisers (MA) for Schools is proud to partner with The Open University (OU), offering four interns the chance to develop their marketing skills and gain invaluable on-the job experience over the past three years. The project-based internships have centred around our Digital Empowerment Solution (DES) platform, which has not only enriched the interns’ learning but also delivered significant results for our school clients.
Back in early 2022, Hazel joined the MA team, setting the stage for Helen’s arrival in 2023, followed by Antonina and Emma, who began their internships in late 2024 and continued into 2025. For a period of around four months, Helen, Emma, and Antonina overlapped, forming a focused sub-team supporting a range of DES-related activities.
Supporting The Open University internship program aligns with our purpose to provide meaningful opportunities while strengthening the work we do to support schools. As an organisation dedicated to empowering marketing and communication professionals with digital marketing solutions, we aim to facilitate real-world learning experiences that can benefit both the interns and the wider school sector.
Our first intern, Hazel, joined us in 2022, marking the beginning of this initiative. The internship played a supporting role in shaping the early development of the DES (Digital Empowerment Solution) platform, while also providing Hazel with hands-on experience across marketing and client interactions.
After Hazel completed her internship, she progressed into a duty manager role at the Wildlife Trust before making the exciting decision in 2024 to pursue a one-year MSc in Sustainability and Management at the University of Bath.
Reflecting on her time at Marketing Advisers for Schools, Hazel shared:
‘Interning with Marketing Advisers for Schools was a privilege and the perfect way to cap off my years of study with the Open University. Nick and the team were welcoming and flexible, and I was challenged to try my hand at a variety of skills, including blog-writing, software management and client interactions.
‘I gained valuable technical and professional skills, equipping me to enter the workplace with a breadth of knowledge, while being supported by the team. I would recommend this internship to anyone interested in learning more about marketing and the education sector. I am very grateful to Nick and the team for the opportunities I received.’
Helen, Antonina, and Emma have also shared their experiences, reflecting on their time as interns and providing valuable advice for those considering a similar path. Their insights highlight the significant value of our link up with The Open University. Additionally, Nick, the MA for Schools Director, shares his thoughts on the impact of the internship program and the benefits it offers to both the interns and the organisation.
Helen – Business Process & Support
How long have you been an intern and what has your role involved?
I began my internship with Marketing Advisers for Schools in August 2023 and finished my internship in December 2023. I then continued to work for MA for Schools as a part-time employee after my internship finished and I still work here now. I think I have been here now for 1 year and a half in total.
What are you studying with the Open University / how long into your degree
are you?
I graduated in October 2023 with my BA (Honours) Business Management (Marketing) Degree.
What are the benefits of being an intern ‘on the job’ for your course?
The benefits of being an intern ‘on the job’ for my course was that I was able to put into practice some of the concepts we learned, however, I only had about 2 months left of my course when I started my internship.
What top three things have you learned from being part of the Marketing Advisers team?
1. I have learned about DES, how it came about, and what it does, and how we’re helping schools with their digital media activity. I have also seen the product/service grow from strength to strength since I began and ended my internship.
2. I have learned project management skills since being part of the Marketing Advisers team.
3. I have had the opportunity to learn how to onboard customers to the DES
service and I have had the opportunity to learn how to train and onboard new team members since being part of the Marketing Advisers team.
Why would you recommend internships/Marketing Advisers to others?
I recommend internships because they provide you with necessary practical experience that many employers are looking for.
I would recommend Marketing Advisers for Schools to others because they are a very supportive employer and undertaking the Marketing Advisers for School’s OU internship provides an opportunity for you to work with a developing company where you are able to work on multiple aspects of a project at once. This experience allows you to gain many skills that are highly transferable.
Antonina – Development & Support
How long have you been an intern and what has your role involved?
I started the internship with Marketing Advisers (MA) in November 2024. As a Marketing and Development Executive with MA for Schools, I leverage my interpersonal and communication skills to assist Marketing Advisers with CRM (Customer Relationship Management), maintaining existing relationships, and cultivating new connections with clients through daily use of HubSpot and LinkedIn.
The role requires developing a deep understanding of the DES (Digital Empowerment Solution) Platform, an integration developed by Marketing Advisers for Schools to provide school marketers with one online service to oversee the management of all digital media activity – from website user data, social media, online adverts – together with AI, school guidance and news feeds.
What are you studying with the Open University / how long into your degree are you?
I am studying Business and Management (Marketing route) and aiming to get a BA (Honours) Degree in Autumn 2025 with The Open University.
What are the benefits of being an intern ‘on the job’ for your course?
It allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge in practice and opened the door to a career in marketing.
What top three things have you learned from being part of the Marketing Advisers team?
Nick is a fantastic director who is fully committed to both the company and his team. I have learned a great deal from him.
Firstly, he has helped me strengthen my collaboration skills by guiding me through daily tasks and encouraging close teamwork with colleagues. Secondly, Nick excels at personalising his communication with schools – a skill that comes with practice and experience. He guided me to communicate in a professional and personal manner. Nick also encouraged me to enhance my practical skills in using HubSpot and LinkedIn.
Why would you recommend internships/Marketing Advisers to others?
Internship opportunities with MA offer students the perfect opportunity to blend academic learning with hands-on experience. These internships allow students to enhance their theoretical knowledge while gaining practical skills tailored to the specific role.
Emma – Digital & Social Media
How long have you been an intern and what has your role involved?
I started my internship with MA working on DES in November and my role has been Digital and social media which has involved content creation, social media planning and forecasting, newsletter and blog support.
What are you studying with the Open University / how long into your degree are you?
My graduation was in March 2024 and I applied for the internship as I needed/wanted industry experience. I completed a Business Management (Marketing) degree and found myself with a wealth of new knowledge, but no specific experience. Changing my career path slightly later posed opportunities, but was also quite daunting since my CV didn’t reflect anything to do with marketing.
What are the benefits of being an intern ‘on the job’ for your course?
I now have hands-on industry experience, which was the main appeal. I was concerned and had a (wrong) misconception of what an internship was. I thought they were aimed at ‘fresh out of Uni’ people (which I was) for those in their early 20s – I thought I was going backwards oppose to forwards. Of course, I was wrong. The benefits have included working within a team, getting support and guidance from an industry expert (Nick) and learning each day. I now have tangible examples of experience, which will support me in my career and also shape which route I might want to go down.
What top three things have you learned from being part of the Marketing Advisers team?
Communication is paramount. Ask questions even if you think you might be annoying. Working remotely has many benefits but one downfall is communication. It can be difficult to confirm a task if you’re unable to meet on a call or get a quick response, then you try to be proactive but end up having total miscommunication and the task needs to be redone. Team work really does make the dream work!
Working in a team helps to bounce ideas off of each other, which creates something even better than you first thought. The power of working in a team is so crucial. We might think we know what we want/don’t want, but, after a few inputs from colleagues, ideas will elevate and either confirm what you really don’t want (which is good) or it can spark more creativity and lead you down another path. Lastly, just have fun. It can be tricky navigating remote working and meeting deadlines and having a few knocks along the way but having a laugh about it or cracking a few jokes throughout the day definitely helps to release those endorphins we all need!
Why would you recommend internships/Marketing Advisers to others?
I would recommend Marketing Advisers for Schools to other students who may be contemplating an internship during their studies or afterwards to gain experience because the team are fab to work with, the array of knowledge covered will be more than you can learn at Uni, and you get to experience real life scenarios and hands-on learning/communication with clients who aren’t case studies!
Learning about DES, which is the core product by MA, has been insightful as I didn’t know products like that existed and also how effective using AI can be (in the right way) to streamline, save time, and enhance ideas. It can be overwhelming leaving Uni as you go from working, studying, living, and everything in between to then being left thinking ‘what am I supposed to do now’!? I need to find a job, but I have no idea which part of my degree I am good at or I enjoy the most. If you have the opportunity to complete an internship during or after your studies, I would really recommend doing so. I now have a relationship with the team and hopefully our paths will cross again on projects so we can collaborate on future launches/projects. Thank you!
Nick – Director
Marketing Advisers for Schools & the DES Platform is the brainchild of Nick Richardson, and he’s led the interns through these valuable steps in their career path.
Nick says:
‘Our journey with The Open University and their intern support programme started in 2022, and now in 2025, we are pleased to be on our third cycle. I see the link-up as a tremendous opportunity for both the interns and our business. Everyone learns and benefits from one another, and like all relationships and achievements, the effort you put in directly influences the outcome.
I’m passionate about giving back to those just starting out or considering a change in direction, and the fresh ideas and perspectives that interns bring are part of the reward for the employer.
‘In our 2024/25 internship program, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming three dedicated individuals to work collaboratively on our DES (Digital Empowerment Solution) for Schools.
‘With clearly defined roles, they’ve worked as part of the support team – joining live client calls, gradually taking on more responsibility, and consistently elevating our service. Partnering with The Open University has provided a unique link for our education-focused mission, helping schools and educational organisations be the best they can be with their digital marketing.
‘Whether this experience leads to an ongoing role or enriches their career journey, the benefits are clear to see for everyone involved.’
For further details on how Marketing Advisers (MA) for Schools & the DES digital marketing Platform supports the Interns through the Open University, to help give marketing & communication experience within the Education/school sector, please contact us.
Should you wish details about the Open University (OU) Internship programme, please contact the Internships team, quoting this MA-DES team story on:
internships@open.ac.uk