Rachel Lewers, Napier University Intern Project

Overview of my course/internship:

Hello, I’m Rachel Lewers, a third-year student studying Web Development at Napier University. As part of my course, I had the opportunity to take on a Professional Internship. This was an exciting chance for me to gain industry experience, and I was particularly drawn to Fast Forward’s AD for resource development within their organisation. With a background in Early Education and a daughter in the same age group as their target audience, I felt a strong personal investment in an organisation that tackles important issues and has a positive impact on young people and their peers. To secure the internship, I had to submit a Cover Letter and CV to the Placements Coordinator at Napier, who acted as a recruiter and either made recommendations based on our application or forwarded them to our preferred organisation. After a meeting with the team at Fast Forward I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with them developing resources.

What did I do?

During the internship, my primary focus was on creating resources related to vaping, as it’s a relatively new topic with limited research and available materials. I decided to develop two videos and two summative posters. This required extensive research into vaping and its known facts from reputable sources, although it was challenging due to the scarcity of research and conflicting information available. The planning phase involved carefully considering the design, particularly highlighting how vaping companies target younger audiences through the combination of young people’s ideas about why they vape and marketing techniques. It was crucial to strike a balance that effectively conveyed the impact of marketing while ensuring the content did not come across as promotional. The design phase incorporated market research on vaping companies’ marketing strategies and aimed to maintain consistency with Fast Forward’s brand identity, using appropriate digital assets, graphics, colours, and typography. To develop the resources, I utilised various software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva to create and edit the videos, undergoing multiple rounds of revisions to ensure clear messaging without compromising the main points.

Why did I do it?

My motivation for taking on this project was to contribute to an area where resources were lacking but essential. I wanted to ensure that young people have access to all the necessary information to make informed choices regarding vaping.

What did I get out of it?

This internship provided me with the opportunity to continue contributing to Fast Forward’s by also being involved with their peer inspirational projects called OWN-ITs. It allowed me to be a part of something I am deeply passionate about, including peer education and facilitating open discussions about risk-taking behaviours. Additionally, I had the privilege of working with a supportive and understanding team, which further enriched my experience.