Chukwuemeka Martin Agunwa studied the MA Public Relations and Strategic Communications course at Leeds Business School. Here, Martin shares his reasons for choosing the course, key highlights and how applying his learning to develop his personal brand helped secure an internship and position in a PR agency.

Course: MA Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Tell us a bit about yourself and why you chose to study your course?

I am from Nigeria and studied Mass Communication with a major in Print Journalism for my undergraduate degree. Prior to this master’s programme, I had a brief internship with a newspaper outlet and moved on to work for seven years in NGOs where I was involved in civil society, road safety and healthcare advocacy. This experience exposed me further to the power communication wields in shaping society and human behaviour. I eventually got to a point in my career where I felt the need to consolidate my social advocacy experience with sound practical academic experience, hence my application and enrolment in the Public Relations and Strategic Communications master’s programme here at Leeds Beckett University. I felt that this would also enable me to pivot slightly into the mainstream Public Relations industry, which has also been of interest to me from my time studying Mass Communication.

The choice of Leeds Beckett University for this course was quite an easy one for me to be honest. Coincidentally, the stories of former students I read on the course website solidified my decision. I was particularly enthralled by the experiences of students who participated in live client projects and how one student ended up getting a job with the company upon completion. I immediately said to myself that I would love to partake in such projects someday. Since joining this course, it has indeed delivered.

What have been the highlights of your course experience?

The various modules I undertook during this course provided quite profound highlights in my professional, social and personal life. One of the major highlights for me was meeting and interviewing Stephen Waddington, a former President of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), following an assignment to produce a podcast in the Communications Skills module. Let’s call this moment my claim to fame. We have gone on to forge a mutual relationship from that interaction. In fact, he invited me to speak at WADDSCON (monthly conference for PR/Comms practitioners), which helped deepen my network in the PR industry and he has been offering me professional mentorship. I have also been able to set up a portfolio website for myself, following assignments in the digital communication module.

One of the most interesting experiences for me was partaking in live client projects in both the Communication Consultancy and Strategic Communication Planning modules. These projects gave me opportunities to apply my classroom learnings to real world client situations. Importantly, working with a team of classmates from very diverse backgrounds was in itself a useful learning experience and helped me form good friendships with some of my classmates.

Can you tell us about your experience of any practical opportunities on the course to apply your learning?

This course provided me with the unique opportunity to be interested in and develop my personal brand. I was able to apply my learning towards building effective personal profiles, particularly on LinkedIn and Instagram. This eventually led to me securing a summer internship with a PR agency just after my first semester, which has now become a permanent role. 

I have also been able to start and maintain a podcast channel where I discuss Public Relations and interview PR practitioners and other professionals.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about studying the course?

Anyone wanting to study the Masters in Public Relations and Strategic Communications course here at Leeds Beckett is sure to benefit from the hands-on practical experience on offer. You will be learning from a school with a rich blend of professional and academic experience, who are eager to support you. It would also be helpful to start thinking of and building your personal brand early in the course. You should also not hesitate to contribute to class discussion and tap into the rich experiences of diverse students in your class. Also, do not forget to take advantage of the course’s affiliation with the PRCA, which will afford you a free student membership.

There is training, workshops, conferences and social events that you will be able to benefit from. In all of these, also take the time to enjoy the city of Leeds. Trust me, there is a lot to enjoy and experience here and it comes alive in ways you never imagined. Take my word for it.