PR ‘President’ gives back to students on his old course

Former LJMU Student Union President turned PR guru, Paul Abernethy is giving something back to his old university.

The political lobbyist, who headed JMSU in 2011, is a senior manager at Bond, a policy and public affairs group which works with parliamentarians and ministers in support of ending global poverty, inequality, and climate change.

Paul, a Scouser, is teaming up with Liverpool Business School to offer undergraduates in public affairs unique opportunities and support from a network of expert mentors in the industry. The project is aimed at giving students from a working class background advice and guidance to excel in the charity sector.

Paul said: "Since graduating, I have been very fortunate to be at the forefront of policy making in and around Whitehall regarding the ending of global poverty and wanted to introduce the sector to students or graduates interested in this type of career.

 “My old PR course taught me the fundamental building blocks for the career I’ve had and I wanted others on it to realise that there is a route for them out there that lets them do some good in the world. It’s been great for me and could be equally so for many others.”

To kick the partnership off, Paul invited lecturers Keith Thompson and Mike Swain to find suitable students on his old degree – the BA in Business and Public Relations at LJMU. The final-year students were about to graduate but super keen to get involved and took up an invitation to visit Bond, Save the Children and CAFOD on a special visit to London and Whitehall to mark the new partnership, which they are calling Project Stepping Stone.

Each now has a mentor from right across the NGO international development sector, with support for several months as they seek to forge their careers.

The mentoring project will be rolled out online and in person over the next year for next year’s final year students on the PR degree.

Graduate Dylan Birch said: "Project Stepping Stone has proved some of the most informative and motivational times of my university life. The insights gained from industry professionals on lobbying and advocacy in the charity sector have really broadened my understanding and highlighted how my skillset can be transferred to a wide range of opportunities.

“I am thankful to Paul and also my lecturers for selecting me. Liverpool John Moores University was the first academic institution which accepted me fully as an Autistic man and this inclusive environment has empowered me to pursue my ambitions confidently.

Lecturer, Keith Thompson said: "It was literally a no brainer. When Paul came to us with the idea of sharing his experience, it was a case of finding the funding and I am grateful to our Associate Dean, Dr Track Dinning for helping fund the project.”

The project will extend to other students, budgets permitting, with students receiving the benefit of a one to one mentoring programme.

Any students or graduates wishing to be considered for the next programme should contact Keith Thompson at k.thompson1@ljmu.ac.uk

IMAGE: Pictured above with Paul Abernethy from Bond (second left) and one of the project's mentors, Senior Public Affairs Adviser Penny Hanton of Save the Children (3rd left), are: Business and Public Relations graduates from Liverpool John Moores University, Dylan Birch, Ellie Jones, Jordan McGrath, Sophia Strutt and Megan Burke with lecturer Keith Thompson.