Here in London I am taking 3 classes and participating in the 20 hr a week internship, so it truly feels like I am a working London local. My internship this semester is with a public relations fashion company called Platform Creative. Platform is a creative agency specializing in public relations, brand management, and design. They provide a bespoke service to fit a customer’s brand and budget. At Platform we use editorial, shoots, celebrity endorsement, and intelligent social media to boost the profiles of clients. My responsibilities at my internship are pitching emerging and luxury designers and designs to the fashion and lifestyle press to get them featured in print and digital media. I also work on creative copy and assist with shoot/styling call-ins by collating sample requests, completing the necessary admin, booking and receiving couriers, etc. I am so thankful to have been paired with such a wonderful company that aligns well with how I see my future. I have a huge passion for fashion and promoting brands, so it is truly a perfect fit.

There are many key skills and strengths that I need to be successful in the PR/fashion industry of my internship. For example, in the PR field it is important that you are creative and willing to think outside of the box to come up with unique and compelling ways to tell a brand’s story. Another skill I feel is important always, but especially in this context of being abroad is adaptation. Working in a completely different country with completely different ways of working requires me to be able to adapt to the new ways and learn how important the similarities and differences are. This also allows me to take the new ways of working I experience and bring them back to the way things are in the States.

I plan to leverage my Clifton Strength of communication here not just in my work with clients, but also with co-workers. People in England I have noticed are not necessarily super straightforward, so it’s important to communicate when you are confused on what they mean by something and if they have any ideas on how they want it done. I can also use this Clifton Strength in my work with clients by being able to share compelling narratives and building strong relationships in order to give trust.

I have found that London is a slower but more efficient work environment and that detail in their work is important. In the field of my internship I have noticed how important the concept of trends are, especially in the fashion industry. I also enjoy how all of this heightens how diversity minded and populated the city of London is. The city is a global hub for creativity, so expect a diverse, international work environment.