Penguin Random House General Portfolio Sessions mentee explains scheme as she gets job with PRH

A graduate who was accepted onto the Penguin Random House (PRH) work experience programme and the General Portfolio Sessions scheme has explained how they have helped boost her career—and that she is now employed by PRH.

Carol Lewis, from Wicklow in Ireland, graduated with an honours degree in Graphic Design from NCAD in 2022, and was struggling to find a job in her industry. During 2023, she was working at an Irish jewellery shop based in Wicklow as a stock inventory manager and doing small design gigs on the side, trying to decide which industry she wanted to work in, when she landed on books.

She told The Bookseller: "I was aiming for a job where I could combine design with another passion of mine—with publishing, there’s always new books to keep things exciting and keep me learning every day.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​"

After researching the industry, she came across the two PRH schemes and applied for them both.

She explained: "I wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong, when I was applying for all these jobs and getting rejected from them all. I was lucky enough to get accepted onto two weeks work experience, and I ended that week on a high, and then the following week I was given the portfolio review."

For the portfolio review, Lewis had to submit five pieces of existing design work and PRH explained selections are made based on "creative potential in one of four areas: conceptual thinking, typography, illustrative flair, composition". She then had a call with those in her industry working at PRH to review her work and give her advice to help her develop.

The sessions offer creatives helpful advice from feedback on a portfolio, learning about the creative roles within publishing or finding out how to get commissioned as an illustrator. According to PRH, the sessions aim to provide a great opportunity to "get some insight into publishing and advice on next career steps".

She said: "There are very set processes within publishing for applying for jobs, and it is really hard to figure out why you didn’t get a job, so it was a good way to work on my portfolio and it has helped me figure out what hiring managers are looking for."

She completed the schemes in September 2023, and then in February this year, Penguin got in touch with her about a new logo design project, and asked her to join the team. Since then, Lewis has also been asked to work on a second project, allowing her to leave her other full time job and work as a full-time designer.

She said: "I’ve been freelance on this project, but it’s been great to have the full-time position, and working for somewhere so iconic like Penguin, on a logo project, has been great.

"I’ve loved working on the redesign project and will maybe eventually work on covers, but it’s such a competitive industry. I am so glad I’ve had this experience with Penguin and hope it’ll help me in the future."

The Penguin General Portfolio Sessions scheme 2024 scheme opened on 28th August. 

Those wishing to apply must be aged 18+, based in the UK or Ireland and from a background under-represented in publishing. Penguin has said no formal education or experience in the industry is necessary, but they will be looking out for candidates who show potential in conceptual thinking, typography, illustrative flair and/or composition.