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They will attend a class during the eight weeks of the Summer in London program and they will work every day as interns at area media organizations. They will have some free time to explore Great Britain on their own and will travel as a group for a bit of sight-seeing and to media outlets for tours and workshops.
Here, students will report on their work experiences.
More:
- Read about their cultural experiences.
- Read reports of their visits to media organizations.
- Read about the 2010 trip.
On-the-job
Loving the working life
By Thomas Miller
I was at a wedding the other day and one of the guests told me I should take a break. I told him I never take a break. Some people came to London to see tourist attractions or enjoy the culture. I came to London to work.
In the past eight weeks, I have been a freelance machine. I’ve shot for a nonprofit, a Web magazine, a book launch, the Investec Epsom Derby, corporate events and even a wedding. I’ve woken up at 6 a.m. more times this summer than I ever did during the school year. I wake up hurting from all the walking and tube riding, but when I finally get home I sleep like a baby.
During the normal workday, I write copy for a British publishing company that makes magazines aimed at international students. I’ve written numerous articles; the other intern and I have written at least a full magazine worth of content. It’s been a great experience, but it was the balance between my regular job and my freelance work that really got me prepared for the amount of work I’ll have to do when I graduate.
I’ve been in the U.K. for about two months and from those two months, 90 percent of my memories will about things that happened to me when I was on the job. Making Pakistani friends at a Muslim wedding, seeing the Queen of England at the Epsom Derby, running around London late at night looking for a club hosting a party sponsored by Don’t Panic, a Web magazine. I’ve built a network here in the U.K. and more important, that network is made up of friends I’ve made through freelancing. Some people can’t wait to get off work, but me, I can’t ever stop.
I’ve been in the U.K. for about two months and from those two months, 90 percent of my memories will about things that happened to me when I was on the job. Making Pakistani friends at a Muslim wedding, seeing the Queen of England at the Epsom Derby, running around London late at night looking for a club hosting a party sponsored by Don’t Panic, a Web magazine. I’ve built a network here in the U.K. and more important, that network is made up of friends I’ve made through freelancing. Some people can’t wait to get off work, but me, I can’t ever stop.
A worthy cause
By Sean Moore
I’ve taken much humorous heat for the title of my blog: “ballsforafrica.wordpress.com.” (That’s right, some of my peers are immature.)
All joking aside, blogging is only one of my activities for Alive & Kicking. A&K is an African soccer (or football, for the rest of the world) charity. It operates two facilities, one in Zambia and one in Kenya, where local over 150 workers hand stitch soccer balls that are then adorned with messages related to HIV/AIDS and malaria and donated to African youths. When I fully realized the charity’s mission, I eagerly got to work.
Besides daily blogs, I have done much research into different companies who might be willing to donate, and I’ve done much in the way of A&K’s social media. In fact, besides helping broaden its Facebook following and making a page for it, I also have had my first exposure to Twitter thanks to A&K, and this shall be a valuable skill moving forward.
Another key function with which I’ve assisted A&K is constructing databases of people who might be willing to participate in events such as their charity runs. I also worked an event during the England-Algeria soccer game, where A&K rented out a sports bar/facility, hosting a minor tournament, then showed the game on a large TV. I played the role of doorman, collected money and names, and distributed raffle tickets.
Overall, I’ve loved my experience here, and I feel it’s given me valuable insight into how an organization such as this works and allowed me the chance to hone some useful skills.
Another key function with which I’ve assisted A&K is constructing databases of people who might be willing to participate in events such as their charity runs. I also worked an event during the England-Algeria soccer game, where A&K rented out a sports bar/facility, hosting a minor tournament, then showed the game on a large TV. I played the role of doorman, collected money and names, and distributed raffle tickets.
Overall, I’ve loved my experience here, and I feel it’s given me valuable insight into how an organization such as this works and allowed me the chance to hone some useful skills.
Finding the right tone
By Patrick Rollings
I work in the general office in the press team for a charity that has branches in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. I am involved in a national event that involves many of the branches in Great Britain. The event involves volunteers at each branch driving a Smart Car to each of the participating branches in a two-week period.
One thing I learned at my internship that I did not even consider a life skill was the ability to draft an intra-company e-mail. Because the people in my branch are all paid workers and the people I am e-mailing are volunteers, messages from the general office are usually met with incredulity and sometimes hostility. When drafting the e-mails, I have to balance sternness with openness to feedback. Due to the lack of face-to-face contact with the majority of people I e-mail, I must avoid being casual in case the receiver mistakes the loose tone for a lack of seriousness.
Learning by adventure
By Danielle Rindler
An adventure.
I think that’s the best way to describe the 24 hours a week that I spend in the office. My office space is occupied by two different small companies owned by two people who, tired of the mainstream madness, decided to start their own businesses. One is a PR firm, the other is a video production company. Both operate on a lot of freelance work and a lot of part time employees. Thus, there is always a steady stream of new people to meet and new faces to memorize. Or, sometimes there’s no one else here at all.
I’ve designed media packs into the wee hours of the morning; learned the perfect tea to milk ratio; written press releases that have been sent to Vogue, Asian royalty and Italian fashionistas; attended boutique open houses; and helped pick out evening gowns.
Coming into this job, I was told that it was humanitarian and international events PR and, while the majority of our clients fit broadly into this frame, very little of what I do involves promoting or campaigning for worthwhile causes. Instead, it’s mostly focused on high profile people (most from South Asia) who we want to promote and campaign for the causes. This has taught me the power of relationships and how easy it is to get what you need if you know the right people.
Although it’s been fun to learn about the South Asian entertainment industry and I always get excited when I realize the notoriety of the person on the other end of my e-mail chain, I’ve come to realize how much I miss being in a newsroom and how a lot of PR jobs aren’t something I would ever want as a career. And, really, that’s just as important as everything else I’ve learned.
Although it’s been fun to learn about the South Asian entertainment industry and I always get excited when I realize the notoriety of the person on the other end of my e-mail chain, I’ve come to realize how much I miss being in a newsroom and how a lot of PR jobs aren’t something I would ever want as a career. And, really, that’s just as important as everything else I’ve learned.
Learning by experience
By Amanda Day
On the first day of my internship, I got lost. Luckily, I left with plenty of time. I strolled around the streets of London wondering if I looked lost and out of place to everyone I passed. “That girl must not belong here,” I imagined them saying to themselves. I asked a woman on the street and she kindly pointed me in the right direction.
After a little more wandering, I eventually had to pull out my mobile. I dialed the office of Chase PR, a friendly voice answered and pointed me in the right direction.
This was not the first time I felt lost during my internship at Chase. I am constantly experiencing new things, getting lost in the process, but somehow always finding my way. Chase is a fashion public relations agency that works with many clients across the U.K. From big name companies to smaller up and coming designers, Chase represents a wide variety of clients.
Having never worked in fashion PR before, this was a new and unique experience for me. I have been writing press releases, booking clothes in and out for photo shoots, and organizing – a lot. Think of your closet at home, then multiply that by 10 or 20. Chase’s showroom is just like a huge closet, and we all know closets can get messy. With a constant flow of clothes in and out, one of my main jobs has been keeping track of the clothes and organizing the showroom.
Working at Chase so far has been a great experience. I am learning things about fashion, public relations, London and life in general. Coming in to this internship not really having fashion public relations experience has really helped me realize that no matter how little you know about a subject starting out, there is always room to expand your knowledge if you’re willing.
Having never worked in fashion PR before, this was a new and unique experience for me. I have been writing press releases, booking clothes in and out for photo shoots, and organizing – a lot. Think of your closet at home, then multiply that by 10 or 20. Chase’s showroom is just like a huge closet, and we all know closets can get messy. With a constant flow of clothes in and out, one of my main jobs has been keeping track of the clothes and organizing the showroom.
Working at Chase so far has been a great experience. I am learning things about fashion, public relations, London and life in general. Coming in to this internship not really having fashion public relations experience has really helped me realize that no matter how little you know about a subject starting out, there is always room to expand your knowledge if you’re willing.
Hush-hush PR job
By Christine Ashack
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| Courtesy photo |
| From left, Maggie Dunphy, Chrissy Ashack and Melissa Orizondo take in the sights. |
I have enjoyed my work so far. We are really working on building up the name of the company and get more publicity. It’s interesting to work at a place that is just starting out. It really shows how much time and effort goes into everything. Even e-mails take a lot of time to write.
I have been writing a lot of articles for the website about less well-known sports. My boss and I went down to the east coast and land-yachted. And yes, it is as interesting as it sounds. My boss and I have interviewed the top expert on parkour, a roller skier and Nordic walkers. We actually did participate in roller skiing, definitely a hard sport in which my butt and arms were sore for days. Signs of a good day at work.
My boss has been impressed with my work, a good sign and that always makes me feel better.
I don’t really know what else I can write without giving away any secrets. I’m too into this mystery thing to give anything else away. I guess everyone will just have to read about this experience in my memoirs.
P.S. I get to go to Wimbledon, which will make my life complete.
My boss has been impressed with my work, a good sign and that always makes me feel better.
I don’t really know what else I can write without giving away any secrets. I’m too into this mystery thing to give anything else away. I guess everyone will just have to read about this experience in my memoirs.
P.S. I get to go to Wimbledon, which will make my life complete.
Playing the game: Advertising, news copy
By Kyle Dugger
What an intriguing dissection of a media outlet’s politics.
That would be my impression of working at Student Recruitment Media, after almost four weeks of providing research and editorial copy for the outlet. Based in London, SR Media is responsible for nine different publications, as well as several e-magazines and social networking sites, targeted at international students and graduate students interested in studying abroad.
As an intern, it’s my job to pitch and provide stories for these publications, as well as improve and moderate the company’s social media presence. I enjoy the work, as the research is geared towards things I might not otherwise have learned, “What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS and Pearson test of academic English?” However, the most interesting portion of my work stems from an analysis of the power balance in the office dynamic.
Like most magazines (excluding The Economist), SR Media’s revenue stream and the lifeblood of its magazines is advertising dollars (or pounds). To that end, there is a persistent exchange between the two realms of the publication, between the copy dedicated to relevant information and the copy set aside to appease a patron company.
Despite doing some work for the Indiana Daily Student, this has been my first experience with integrating news and adverts into a functional machine. It’s been an interesting experience and seems like precarious territory for any journalist entering an informational or recreational writing position.
The new business model for selling the news treads on such a narrow line.
Like most magazines (excluding The Economist), SR Media’s revenue stream and the lifeblood of its magazines is advertising dollars (or pounds). To that end, there is a persistent exchange between the two realms of the publication, between the copy dedicated to relevant information and the copy set aside to appease a patron company.
Despite doing some work for the Indiana Daily Student, this has been my first experience with integrating news and adverts into a functional machine. It’s been an interesting experience and seems like precarious territory for any journalist entering an informational or recreational writing position.
The new business model for selling the news treads on such a narrow line.
Learning the language (financial and British)
By Stephanie Doctrow
In the last three weeks, I have learned more about finance than I ever thought I’d need to know. I am interning at Money Marketing, a weekly news magazine for financial advisers in the U.K. Our magazine’s target audience is industry professionals, so the articles use company names and industry terms. Before I could write, I had to learn about the different types of popular funds and the current issues going on in the industry.
This is the perfect time to work for a finance magazine, because the new coalition government is passing economic reforms that will affect the industry. I have really enjoyed covering shareholder meetings and round table events, and making calls to IFAs around the U.K. to get their opinions on financial issues.
Working for a British publication has also been an education in itself. Beats are called “patches” here, audio recorders are called “dictatophones” and briefs are called “nibs.” Some words are spelled differently in British English, so I still have to be conscientious as I write. But overall, I love working for a magazine in such an exciting atmosphere.
Best Job EVER
By Amy Bishop
I couldn’t be more blessed to be working where I am. Harvey Nichols is a nationwide luxury department store in the U.K. I am contributing to its public relations and marketing for the food and wine shops and restaurants.
After our first two days in London packed with tours, orientations, plays and dinners, I was relieved to fall into a weekly work routine. I am convinced that I am employed by the best store ever! Not only do I get to write Web copy and press releases for fabulous events and food and wine products, but also I can sample products and attend some of the best events in London!
Tuesday evening, I worked my first press event at Harvey Nichols for the launch of our new Tanqueray No. Ten Martini Terrace. It was a wonderful event where I gained some great experience working with media in a party atmosphere. I look forward to the exciting things this internship will bring me in the next six weeks.
B is for Blagging
By Biz Carson
No, that is not a typo. Blagging is my new favorite British word.
Blagging: v/t. To receive free entry or products into events in exchange for press coverage.
It sounds shady by American ethics, but it is the journalism and PR machine of the British media.
I work at a weekly newspaper in the East End of London. At the newspaper, we publish three different papers each week that cover different areas from Greenwich to Hackney to Shoreditch. I get to shadow the paper’s reporters on their assignments or go out on my own to cover the news in East London.
And because of it, I have blagged my way through London.
Tuesday began with a private media tour of the Museum of London’s new gallery. Wednesday featured a tour of the Olympic grounds. Thursday was the press lunch for the launch of the 10th Annual Brick Lane Curry Festival. Friday is a cabaret show in Greenwich Village. Next Thursday is a concert.
Being a journalist gives you special access to many things. You hear people’s life stories. You see the behind-the-scenes of everything. You write about society’s worst as you sit through police briefings. You interview society’s best when you write about charity work. You wine and dine with celebrities, then cover the grime of crime.
In London, it is the same. In a city this big, it is hard to be an expert on every museum or every site of historic importance, or to cover every theatre show or new art gallery. To make it easier for reporters, PR agencies create these events to educate the reporters and to get their client’s message across — a mutually beneficial relationship.
But in London, people aren’t afraid to call it what it is: blagging.
And because of it, I have blagged my way through London.
Tuesday began with a private media tour of the Museum of London’s new gallery. Wednesday featured a tour of the Olympic grounds. Thursday was the press lunch for the launch of the 10th Annual Brick Lane Curry Festival. Friday is a cabaret show in Greenwich Village. Next Thursday is a concert.
Being a journalist gives you special access to many things. You hear people’s life stories. You see the behind-the-scenes of everything. You write about society’s worst as you sit through police briefings. You interview society’s best when you write about charity work. You wine and dine with celebrities, then cover the grime of crime.
In London, it is the same. In a city this big, it is hard to be an expert on every museum or every site of historic importance, or to cover every theatre show or new art gallery. To make it easier for reporters, PR agencies create these events to educate the reporters and to get their client’s message across — a mutually beneficial relationship.
But in London, people aren’t afraid to call it what it is: blagging.
At Simon & Schuster
Kamilla Benko
May 14
Today, I addressed an envelope to the Duchess York and inserted a note in it that reads, “Best Wishes – Kamilla.”
For the past two days, I have been sorting press clippings about Simon & Schuster books, copying them and mailing them off to the authors. It is the typical intern work, but surprisingly enough, it’s not mind numbing.
All the press clippings create a kind of S&S textbook. I know who is shortlisted for the Grampian Children’s Book Award (Sophie McKenzie), trending topics in teen fiction angels and vampires, and why Justin Somper decided to start writing.
And there are some definite highlights. Unlike all the U.S. newspaper outlets I have visited, S&S has excellent sales and is not prophesying doom and gloom. Philippa Gregory, author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The White Queen, visited today. And the absolute best part: “You’re welcome to any of the books. Here try this one, take that one and you must read this one…”
My flat’s bookshelf is now full and my list of books-to-read has increased tenfold.
Life is good.
(Follow Benko’s work at her blog.)
My flat’s bookshelf is now full and my list of books-to-read has increased tenfold.
Life is good.
(Follow Benko’s work at her blog.)