This summer has been full of travels and making the most incredible memories, but it has also consisted of hard work. This internship brought me to a whole new world, literally and metaphorically. I had no idea what exactly I would be doing, where I would be or who I would be working with. I ended up learning about a completely new field, experiencing a foreign environment and making some really great friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life. I wanted to see more of the business side of how things work, while also being able to explore politics, and a completely different kind of politics for that matter.
I came away with a vast knowledge of how the UK government works as well as how lobbying is done there and how it fits in with business goals, which is exactly what I wanted. However, I also learned so much more. I learned how other parts of the company work such as semiotics and financial PR, and I learned about a new culture. Sometimes the differences between how we work in America did make it difficult for me in London. The language, something you wouldn’t expect, did actually differ and it did create obstacles. Their mannerisms were different in certain areas, but I just had to adjust and get used to it. That was all part of the learning experience. In the end, I vastly underestimated what this summer would provide for me, which I find extremely surprising.
The team I worked with worked just as a team should – together. Even the most senior employees heard everyone’s thoughts and views and took them all into account. No voice went unheard. Even though I was an intern, it hardly ever felt like it. They asked for my opinions in meetings, on work and research that I had conducted, and simple PR/branding techniques for the company. I am truly grateful to have worked with such a fantastic group of people, each one of them bringing something unique, but critical to the job.
This internship has put a new perspective on my career path. I do still want to attend law school, but there are so many things that I can do with that law degree and I plan to explore all my options. It has truly been a learning experience in every sense of the term, and I saw exactly how the classes I had taken at Georgia State and also my experiences from previous internships were an advantage for me in London. I am truly honored to have been able to work with such a great team in a competitive, fun, and enthusiastic company in the most incredible environment, and while it saddens me to leave, I know this experience can only open more doors for me in the future.
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