My Public Relations Internship with FINN Partners in London

During my time at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism, I’ve explored the expansive world of strategic communication and how it’s a career field that's perfect for me. From interesting coursework to several internships, I felt prepared to step into the next journey of my professional career. In addition to my schoolwork and internships in the U.S., an aspiration I had since I could remember came true when I got the chance to experience a 12-week study abroad program and internship abroad program in the dynamic city of London, England.

There are so many buildings in central London that simply take your breath away.

My Internship Placement Process at FINN Partners

After applying to the summer internship abroad program, I connected with CEA CAPA and began the process of finding the best-suited internship for me. The lovely coaches I worked with made sure that they knew exactly what I was looking for to ensure we found the internship abroad that was right for me. Questions like the size of the company I wanted to intern with and what style of leader I am were addressed as they matched me with the perfect internship placement. This part of my experience was especially stress-free which is something that enticed me. It sometimes can feel like as a young professional, there's an endless sea of job listings and internship opportunities, but it can also seem grueling in retrospect. CEA CAPA helps to eliminate this stressor and makes your experience pleasant from day one. This only excited me more as I scheduled my interview with FINN Partners Global Travel, the internship site I matched with, and realized they were exactly what I looked for in my internship experience abroad.

This is what you see when you enter the FINN Partners office. It feels super official and surreal!

First Day Feels

You may wonder how I felt walking in on my first day at this amazing public relations agency that has received dozens of awards and is located in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world. A few words I use to describe this feeling include excited, clueless, and above all else, scared. But in this new city, country, and work environment, this feeling is normal to feel. I recommend that this should not hold you back when deciding where to complete an internship abroad. A global experience in any career field is a beneficial asset to have when emerging into the workforce.

The first day of my internship at FINN Partners Global Travel.

Lessons Learned Through Interning Abroad

When I walked into my internship, I met my extremely kind and talented supervisor, Ashleigh. CEA CAPA ensures that during your time interning abroad, you have a professional watching over you, like a mentor and a boss combined. My experience with Ashleigh was nothing but amazing, and I already anticipate not only missing her ambitious energy but every other colleague at my office.

Throwing yourself into a new experience that may make you feel a bit unknown and uneasy can be beneficial in finding your true potential, especially in your professional career. During my time at my internship, I learned how to create eye-catching content calendars, reach out to media contacts, produce engaging content, and bring press coverage into the digital realm on our client’s social media channels. Real-world experience teaches you so much in terms of what you like and don’t like in your career; it’s truly beneficial all around.

This park called Finsbury Circus by my office was my sanctuary when I needed to touch grass.

This internship abroad gave me a front-row seat into the exciting and timely world of PR, and also let me dive headfirst into experiencing life abroad in London, England. As these 12 weeks come to an end, I can only explain this experience as a rollercoaster of learning, growth, and exciting experiences. London, with its vibrant energy, served as the perfect backdrop for this lifechanging adventure. I'll treasure the lessons learned, the connections made, and the memories created during my time at FINN Partners Global Travel.

Veronica Gawin is an official blogger for Summer ‘23, sharing her story in frequent posts on our blog. A Strategic Communication major at University of Missouri-Columbia, she's studying and interning abroad in London this semester. All views expressed are her own and may or may not reflect the experiences of other students.