Waterstone’s is one of the leading booksellers on the High Street and online.
Since 2013, Waterstones have provided 24 work experience placements to students engaging with the EP Scheme. Students have been given the chance to experience retail management, assist with planning and delivering events, learn about publishing and merchandising in addition to the chance to attend meetings with publishing firms.
The EP team caught-up with Alessandra Le Voci (School of Arts) who informed us that she had gained ‘an unique insight into the book selling industry’, having attended a meeting with a renowned publisher, assisted with a book launch event and given the chance to create promotional displays.
Reflecting on her two-week placement, Alessandra said:
“This EP reward has meant that my dream was growing closer as I now know what to do when it comes to running a bookstore.”
Another student who undertook this reward was Sophie Banham (School of English), who was involved with dressing the display window, merchandising the academic section, designing an events leaflet and planning a series of events, including a Harry Potter Quiz, Lecturers Event and the Tiger who Came to Tea event.
Dani Burford-Day, who is now a part of the EP team, undertook this placement in 2017 and commented:
“I was keen to work at Waterstones as I was very interested in the publishing industry and wanted to learn more about the selling trends of commercial fiction. This really came in handy during later placements with publishing companies! My time at the shop was amazing, I acted as events assistant and helped organise a Q&A with wildlife expert Sir Lister Kaye, and incredible ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ author, Cressida Cowell. The team are so lovely and make you feel right at home. Manager, Martin Latham, is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I was very grateful to be offered a temp role following my placement!”