Honors Students Gain Global Perspective, Career Insight Through London Internships

ATLANTA—The London Experience allows Georgia State Honors College students from all majors to intern in London and other parts of the United Kingdom. The program’s global approach helps interns acquire an international perspective and gain valuable career insight. Available internships span a wide range of industries, including public policy, fashion, the arts, media, sciences and more. During summer 2018, nine honors students traveled to London to intern with major companies, firms, and think tanks in the city.

Here are some of their experiences:

Ben worked as a research intern at Scott Prenn, a consultancy firm that assists nonprofits and charities with their fundraising campaigns. Ben worked on each step of the process—even co-planning a high-profile reception with distinguished guests.

“I built important professional relationships with my coworkers and my boss while learning from them, and I now have them as part of my professional network,” he said. “I also built many important personal relationships, both with locals in London… and with my fellow Georgia State London Experience friends.”

While he added international work experience to his resume, Ben acknowledged the personal growth that comes with navigating life abroad. “The mere act of moving to a foreign country—if even just for the summer—and working there forces you to step out of your comfort zone and assume greater responsibility,” he said.

Claudia worked as an audit technician at the accounting firm BDO. Her daily responsibilities included a review of the firm’s accounts, checking for the correct recording of finances for different clients throughout the UK.

Her work with clients took Claudia outside of London. On a company trip to Manchester, she joined the rest of BDO UK for a weekend soccer tournament. She hadn’t played soccer in years, but the experience reflects a program that encourages students to expand their boundaries.

“This program not only gives you incredible work experience in a global hub, it also takes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to develop as an individual,” Claudia said.

After one rewarding summer with the London Experience, Dalton joined PwC a second time, working with partner Melanie Butler in the accounting firm’s Forensic Services group. No two days were the same. Dalton aided in developing business opportunities, analyzing project budgets, risk and quality compliance, and project delivery.

Through PwC, he was able to attend lunch at the House of Lords on behalf of the Libyan British Business Council and network with prominent officials in London. Dalton also helped with a client’s response to a U.S. DOJ subpoena, working with a quick-response, on-the-ground team to gather and preserve evidence.

“The opportunity to stretch yourself professionally, do important work, and network with senior professionals is unparalleled,” he said. “This experience has helped me distinguish myself in the job market and has made a significant, lasting impact on my career.”

Trey split his summer between London courtrooms and Epiq’s offices in the center of the city.

Through his internship with Epiq, a legal process outsourcing company, Trey gained hands-on experience with court reporting procedures. He sat in on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, an examination of the circumstances behind the fatal fire that destroyed the London residential high-rise in 2017; networked with experienced lawyers; and gained critical knowledge in fields like e-discovery.

Outside of work, he attended the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, watched the World Cup, and traveled across Europe to places like Amsterdam and Paris.

“The cultural experience alone is worth the trip—let alone the knowledge that one can gain whilst working at one of the many high-level companies in London," Trey said.

Nishant enhanced his computer science major with an internship at Z/Yen Group in London. At the technological think tank, he helped manage the company’s website and financial and technical reports. He also handled Z/Yen’s social media and marketing. Nishant even played at more creative tasks, such as developing a card game to teach executives about block-chain technology.

At Z/Yen, Nishant worked for an Alderman of the City of London, the equivalent of a city council member, which afforded him access to exclusive events and historical settings in London. He toured the House of Lords with a baroness and attended the opening of T20 Cricket at the birthplace of the variant of the sport.

“The internship itself is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and being in a world-class city is all the more reason to go,” Nishant said. “The London Experience is, without a doubt, a career-changing and personal development opportunity unlike any other.”

Fabio worked as a marketing intern at SomeOne, a distinguished branding agency with regional offices that allowed him to travel beyond London. He strategically explored and implemented projects for clients, researching and brainstorming presentations for the agency.

“My favorite part of this fantastic experience was undoubtedly the level of independence and international experience gained through the 10-week stay,” Fabio said. “As I plan to find a career that allows me to travel, interning abroad was the best choice I’ve made so far.”

Ian interned with Z/Yen Group, an expanding technological think tank in London. He worked under the CEO of a new arm of Z/Yen’s business, helping to research and analyze the enterprise blockchain company.

Through his internship, Ian was invited to attend lunch at the House of Lords and sat in on a chamber session. He attended seminars on Brexit (the United Kingdom’s impending withdrawal from the European Union) , financial technology, cryptocurrencies, and artificial intelligence.

“I would recommend the London Experience because of the unparalleled opportunity it gives you to immerse yourself in an incredible city full of culture, industry, and history,” Ian said.

Learn more about the Honors College London Experience at https://honors.gsu.edu/london/