Hi my name’s Laura Harrod and I’m one of the downhamweb volunteers, it’s nice to meet you! Being a recent graduate from Anglia Ruskin University studying Business Management, I wanted to do something useful but fun with my summer before starting a potential career, a worrying thought! The job search has begun and finding a job you have interest in and have past experience has become a challenge. Luckily I already work as an assistant company secretary for my family at the local coach hire company: Harrod’s Coaches. I deal with marketing and recently have been promoting the new addition to our fleet “Dolly”; an exciting experience itself, planning and creating ideas for our newly restored vintage coach has been a pleasure; and is how I know the lovely downhamweb site owner Liz! I’ve known Liz for quite some time now, downhamweb s Liz s other company Lingo Design and D & H Harrods Coaches working closely together; Lingo Design provide the development and design for our website as well as other advertising activities. After a number of meetings, cups of tea (and of course biscuits) Liz mentioned about needing some volunteers for downhamweb. I thought “Brilliant!” I’ve actually found some useful yet relevant work experience; I really wanted to get some “outside” work experience, especially in marketing and PR, as promoting the vintage vehicle was a taster of what type of career path I wanted to venture down. Being a volunteer is really important to me, students graduating from University are now finding it hard to find jobs and careers even though they have a degree!! The majority of employers are not only asking for specific qualifications, but experience too. So I said “yes count me in!!” So, now at downhamweb every Monday, this week’s project are downhamweb’s website preparations for Her Majesty The Queen Diamond Jubilee and an excuse to celebrate being BRITISH!! Next week starts with Downham Market festival, a fun filled day packed with floats, summer games, food, celebrations and hopefully sunshine. I’m so excited; mainly because Harrods Coaches have entered Dolly for the town parade and, I’ll be on the coach myself and I’m even dressing for the occasion in my old prom dress ready to show what the vintage vehicle can offer! So, I’m starting off this week with my story, keep an eye out for more articles, pictures from the parade (particularly Dolly and me!) ending up on here, as well as news from Harrods Coaches and other activities as my volunteer role expands. This is just the beginning of what seems like an exciting start to my work experience, I’m looking forward to chatting to you more! Roll on the summer, hot weather and the celebration of the diamond jubilee!!
