We recently started a new partnership with Ulster University that will see Clearbox welcome a new placement student for some work experience with us once a quarter.
Our first placement student, Matthew, has arrived. As is customary with us, we've asked him to introduce himself. Over to you, Matthew!
Hey everyone! I'm Matthew, and I am super excited to be with Clearbox during this week-long internship in the world of Comms and PR! Clearbox has been on my radar for a while now, standing out for all the right reasons. But before I dive into that, let me give you a glimpse into my world.
I'm currently a second-year student at Ulster University, Belfast, studying Communication Management and Public Relations (CMPR). It took me a bit longer to figure out my career path, starting university at “mature” age of 22 – like everything in life, I arrived slightly later than most. It wasn't until the chaos of a global pandemic and one too many gap years that I finally found my way into a course I didn't even know existed.
A little backstory: I've always been drawn to the arts, whether it's in front of the camera, behind it, or just the everyday life . After wrapping up my A-Levels, I thought chasing my dream career would be a piece of cake – turns out, reality hit me like a ton of bricks. Lockdown in 2020 forced me to hit pause and really reflect on where I saw myself in the next five years. It was a humbling moment when I decided that sometimes our dreams are better off as passions rather than career paths. That's when a friend suggested CMPR, and it's been a perfect fit ever since. A few years later I have now realised you can have multiple dreams, and my current dream is to conquer the world of comms marketing and PR. More achievable no?
Outside of university and jobs, you can find me indulging my passion for Formula 1, over-priced coffee, or belting out Grammy-worthy shower performances – no joke, I put on a show! A lot of my downtime is spent chilling with my friends or watching films with them that aren’t intentionally funny but are; trust me, you haven't lived until you've watched The Twilight Saga as a comedy, top tier.
My journey with Clearbox started with a scroll through their LinkedIn page, where their fun and irreverent vibe immediately caught my eye. Then a few months back John was part of a panel of PR pros at Ulster University, where his distain for Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours album and Clearbox's motto, 'Don't be a D**k', sealed the deal for me. After that panel, I dove headfirst into Clearbox's work, convinced this was the kind of company I wanted to be a part of. The team here has been nothing short of amazing, welcoming me with open arms and matching my love for the most stupid debates – today's topic: hottest celebrities. Beyond the craic, it's evident everyone here is incredibly hardworking and passionate about what they do. I'm beyond excited to soak up all the knowledge I can during my time here, paving the way for my future in the PR industry.
Now, onto some super important questions.
Imagine your dream Glastonbury lineup – who would make the cut?
As for me, well, let's just say my taste in music is... eclectic, to say the least. Picture this: The Glee Cast opening (don’t @ me), followed by the smooth vibes of Bruno Mars, and closing with country legend (and Nicole Kidman's better half), Keith Urban. Sounds like paradise, right? Right??
What is your fantasy dinner menu? Three courses, from different restaurants, any in the world.
Starter - A singular McDonald’s cheeseburger - I stand by this.
Main - Seafood Linguine from some random restaurant in Crete - I may have been drunk but I vividly remember it being delicious.
Dessert - A sticky toffee pudding, GOAT of desserts - I will die on this hill.
I’m really looking forward to the rest of my week at Clearbox and can’t wait to get stuck in!
