Blogs

21/01/23

Travelling as an intern

” a company that sees your potential”

In December 2022, I got to travel abroad for the first time – and I got to do it in a role and a company that I really love.

With 48 hours’ notice, I went to France with my Marketing Manager to see an international event that is part of Global Streets called Light Games – an incredible event that we might be bringing to Gloucester in 2023.

As a recent Marketing graduate, to even be able to say I am happily completing a Marketing internship within the arts industry sounds unbelievable to me.

I have always wanted to work in the creative industry but it had always been a daunting thought for me. Growing up in a low-income single household, I was always pushed to take the ‘safe’ jobs for financial stability and security, but those options often meant letting my passion to be creative go. Working for a company that sees your potential can really show you that you shouldn’t need to make your goals more ‘realistic.’

Traveling abroad to France as a representative for Strike A Light was such a unique opportunity to really become immersed in the works of the arts industry. In the short time of working in the industry, I can say I have definitely grown more than I could have imagined personally and professionally – and I’m only halfway through my internship.

This was a fantastic experience of extending my learning of the industry beyond the lens of just marketing and frankly what I believed my capabilities lay in. During my trip to Lens in France, I got to understand other key roles and tasks needed to produce a successful event, as well as being part of the process of constructing, refining, and implementing an event. Being given the opportunity to be a representative and having my ideas heard and acknowledged as an intern has made me become more confident in my abilities in the professional world as well as personal.

More importantly, during the trip, I got to come out of my comfort zone and got to speak and interact with amazing and friendly people in a foreign language at Light Games. Looking around and watching everyone have an amazing time was an eye-opener on the importance of art in everyday life no matter the background or circumstances; no matter who you are or where you have come from.

Having this opportunity has given me a bigger appreciation for the arts and motivation to keep striving to become someone who can make big things happen in an industry that I never imagined I could work in.

It has also heightened the idea that I can really achieve more in life than I thought. Before working here, I didn’t try to dream more than beyond my means or what hasn’t already been achieved by someone in my close circle. To be able work in a place that sees your potential and allows you to grow really changes that and makes a difference.

I hope more companies hire people for their potential as they don’t know how much that might impact that individual’s life.

thanks

Massive thanks to Festival.org and Go & See for the funding that made this trip possible!