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Entrepreneurial students making their mark in the business world

22 November 2017

 

A pair of young entrepreneurs who returned to education to change career path are making their mark in the business world.

BA (Hons) Marketing students Steven Askham and Luke Evans at Teesside Marketing Clinic
BA (Hons) Marketing students Steven Askham and Luke Evans at Teesside Marketing Clinic

Steven Askham and Luke Evans, who set up their own company EDAW Marketing last year while completing their Teesside University degree, are already gaining experience working with real-life clients.

The final year BA (Hons) Marketing students have been working with businesses through Teesside Marketing Clinic, based in the University’s Business School.

The Marketing Clinic has a dual purpose in helping marketing students gain practical experience in dealing with real clients, while also offering a free service to local businesses which are seeking help with marketing consultancy, strategic planning, branding, social media and public relations.

'It is great to be able to put the theoretical learning from our degree straight into practice through our business,' said Steven, 28, from Redcar.

He added: 'As mature students we want to ensure we will stand out from the crowd and help to increase our employability once we graduate.'

Steven and Luke, who are due to graduate next summer, are currently working as marketing consultants with global chemical company INVISTA, near Redcar.

Although having taken diverse career paths so far, both have experience in online branding and social media. Steven worked in the legal profession for over a decade and has transformed his cake-making hobby into lucrative side-line That Cake, while Luke was previously a musician in the band Young Rebel Set, which was label-mates with Oasis and toured internationally.

'Working with clients such as INVISTA and other external organisations has been a fantastic opportunity for us. It has really helped to complement our degree studies, while gaining practical experience and providing a taste of what businesses want,' said Luke, 27, from Stockton.

We can draw from and apply what we are learning to ensure we are aware of the latest trends and ways of working

Steven Askham, BA (Hons) Marketing

'We can help businesses with everything from branding to public relations, marketing and communications and social media. We can also bring a fresh approach as we can draw from and apply what we are learning to ensure we are aware of the latest trends and ways of working,' said Steven.

Lesley Mulcahy, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations and Media Communications in the University’s Business School, said: 'The marketing clinic gives students an opportunity to put theory into practise by working with live clients.'

Suzanne Withrington, Principal Lecturer (Enterprise & Business Engagement), in the University’s Business School, added: 'The ethos of the clinic is to provide opportunity for businesses to access the knowledge, experience and passion of our talented students, while also providing opportunity for our students to embrace their learning and deliver real solutions to businesses across all sectors. It also provides Teesside University with an opportunity to expand relationships regionally and internationally.'

Businesses seeking to work with marketing students through the University’s Marketing Clinic can contact 01642 738100 or email info@tu-marketing.co.uk.

More information on EDAW Marketing


 
 
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