My responsibilities at Seen in the City consisted of pitching articles, writing press releases, listicles, and writing product reviews from items I tested. I attended restaurant reviews a few times a week and many times was able to interview chefs and get a behind the scenes look at the London restaurant industry. I also produced copywriting for various companies. Managing relationships and maintaining clear communication was crucial in my job as well. I spent a lot of time on my email, contacting various PR agencies and creating strong relationships with them. Additionally, I was managing the social media for Seen in the City. I posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram regularly to promote new articles and maintain reader engagement.
One of my favorite projects was working with artist Sophie Tea. Sophie has over 206k followers on Instagram and a global following, so it was a really exciting opportunity. The task began by communicating with Sophie’s PR and writing a press release for an upcoming art show in London. When I attended the event I was able to interview Sophie Tea and speak about her entrance into the art world. We also spoke about her new collection, “Hearts”. At the event I spent time with Sophie’s PR team and was able to keep them as a contact for future endeavors.
Initially, I had difficulty learning to navigate a full-time job. This internship was my first experience working five days a week. Unlike in school, journalism careers require consistent planning, calendar management and daily deadlines. Fortunately, my editor was very involved and made sure that I stayed on track with articles and events.
The most rewarding aspect of my international internship was creating international connections. There is a certain kind of confidence I gained after my internship knowing that I have a network of professionals in London, who I can reach out to should I ever need industry information. I was thrilled to get the chance to work as a journalist and gain first-hand experience on what it’s like to be involved in the publication industry of a large city like London.
London was more than I could have imagined. Spending the summer (2021) in the city greatly affected my career goals. I fell in love with the city and I plan on returning when I graduate. My internship gave me the confidence that I can work in a big city and find fulfilling work. Also, because I have gained so much industry experience I feel much more prepared to pursue jobs I really want. The interview process feels much less daunting because I have clarity on what kind of work and skills I truly exceed at.
Siena Dorman
GlobalWorks Internship in London, UK, Summer 2021