Cloud-based Building Management Solution provider, Pulse Systems, have expanded their team, offering a fixed term contract to a former intern.
Following a successful 3-month funded placement period, Social Media Strategy Intern, Cleo Cosens, will continue working for the SME on a part time basis, while finishing her degree.
The 2nd year Business student at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) completed her 20-day internship in April but has since been offered an extended contract at Pulse Systems to provide additional marketing support for the innovative business.
This recruitment drive shows a resilience and confidence by Pulse Systems to maintain their growth plans during a changing business landscape and demonstrates the value that student talent can bring to the workforce.
Based within Sensor City for her initial internship, we caught up with Cleo while she is currently working remotely, to get her take on how her internship at Pulse Systems provided her with experience in a working environment and how she will be contributing to the business’ operations going forwards.
1) What are you studying at University?
I am nearing the end of my 2nd year at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), studying ‘Business with International Business’, and am due to graduate in 2021.
2) What made you apply for an Internship at Pulse Systems?
I saw through Sensor City that the LJMU Careers Department were running a paid internship programme with local businesses and thought that it would be a good opportunity to enhance my CV, alongside my studies.
What enticed me to the Pulse Systems internship placement specifically, was the role as a ‘Social Media Strategy Intern’, as I had not explored this aspect of business yet.
During my interview, Kevin Davies (Managing Director at Pulse Systems), was transparent and informative about the business and explained what they expected from me as an intern. I was impressed by what the company was about and was looking forward to being part of the movement creating smarter cities and cleaner air.
3) What activities did your Internship involve?
I undertook a range of jobs including planning, analysis and delivery of content across Pulse Systems’ social media channels. One of the main things I did was creating a social media plan for the short, medium and long term and developing a social media manual which is tailored to Pulse Systems’ culture, ensuring that everyone within the company understands our ‘marketing message’.
I was also involved in some client meetings with Kevin, who encouraged me to participate and expand my network. Attending Sensor City’s networking events also enabled me to make new contacts with some of the other companies based in the innovation hub, opening my eyes to the diversity of technology solutions within our region.
4) What did you learn during your Internship?
My time working at Pulse Systems enabled me to gain a number of new skills and a better understanding of technology applications. This included:
- Social media analytics for Twitter and LinkedIn
- Content creation and video content research
- Understanding building management systems and the development of smart cities from a tech perspective
- The importance of air quality and how technology can be used to essentially help ‘clean the air’ through monitoring and reacting to data
- How smart sensor devices allow Pulse Systems’ customers to make critical business decisions based upon real-time data, resulting in energy savings due to the control they now have in understanding their building environment.
5) What do you enjoy most about working for Pulse Systems?
I enjoy the working environment Pulse Systems has created and the people are definitely what makes the company. Everyone here shares similar beliefs and aims for longevity and prosperity for the company.
What also made the internship enjoyable was the fact that the Directors use a laissez-faire management style approach, which meant I was accountable for my internship, so whatever I put into the internship would equate to how much I got out of it. I prefer this management style as it allows me to ‘think outside the box’ and work outside of my comfort zone.
6) How do you feel having been offered continued employment by Pulse Systems?
The overall internship experience was fun and enlightening and so I am very excited and thankful to have the opportunity to continue working with everyone.
This extended employment is an opportunity for me to learn new skills and develop existing ones in a real workplace environment, with a mentor to help me understand some of the managerial aspects of business.
As a company, everyone at Pulse Systems understands the long term goals of the business (e.g. growth, profitability, strong market position etc.) and I look forward to working on my own projects that will fit in with the businesses’ overarching aims and objectives.
7) What jobs and responsibilities will you undertake as part of your new role?
I will continue assisting Pulse Systems with their social media platforms and build on the work I have done to date. Within my new role, I will be getting more involved within the business, outside of social media activities, assisting Kevin with bid proposals and sales support.
This is not the first time that Pulse Systems have hosted interns and subsequently recruited from the local student talent pool.
In August 2019, Pulse Systems offered a full-time position to Oliver Newman, an engineering student who originally undertook a summer internship with the company.
Kevin Davies, Managing Director of Pulse Systems Ltd explained: “Sensor City helped us recruit three students through the University of Liverpool’s internship scheme last year, along with Cleo this year through LJMU’s internship programme.
“We have been really impressed by the calibre of the students involved and are delighted that Sensor City’s assistance with these internships has led to such a beneficial arrangement for both Pulse Systems and our student intake.
“We are keen to continue hosting student placements as our business grows – helping to create new jobs in electronic design engineering, software development and digital marketing within Liverpool City Region.”
————————————————————————————————————–