Chelsea is a final year BA (Hons) Media, Communication, Cultures student at Leeds Beckett University. Chelsea recently completed an internship with the Financial Times after graduating from the FT News School.

Course: BA (Hons) Media, Communication, Cultures

If someone had told me a year ago that I'd spend my summer as a student working with the Financial Times - I probably wouldn't have believed them. Yet, this summer, I found myself doing exactly that.

From June to August, after graduating from the FT News School, I completed an internship at the Financial Times. I worked with the FT Studio, a commercial area within the publication that brings editorial storytelling to life through brand partnerships and strategic campaigns. My internship lasted several months and gave me invaluable insight into how one of the world's most respected and successful media companies operates behind the scenes. It was one of the best summers of my life, to say the least.

My placement opened my eyes to a side of journalism that I didn't even know existed. I wasn't just reading stories, but I was mastering the craft, learning the art behind them, and witnessing them unfold first-hand. I was involved in a range of things from researching potential interviewees for clients like Charlotte Tilbury and Formula 1, to sitting in meetings with art directors, strategists, and producers. This experience allowed me to observe how my academic training here at university can be applied in the real working world.

I've always been drawn to communication in every form: from writing to speaking, and content creation to editorial production. Throughout this internship, I've realised that pursuing a career in journalism isn't just limited to mastering one skill, but a combination of utilising all the transferable abilities that I've built over time.

I'm so grateful that the Financial Times took a chance on me, and that they're breaking barriers within the industry through gender inclusion and diversity across the organisation. As a young Black woman navigating the media industry, seeing how much they value inclusion gives me hope for the next generation of storytellers.

Leeds Beckett University has helped to shape my interests in journalism in many ways. Throughout my degree, I've had opportunities to work with companies that vary from Sky News to ITV, experimenting across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. This university has continually encouraged me to think deeply about the power of media and how it isn't just a form of entertainment but a tool for social change.

To any student thinking of applying for internships or struggling to kickstart their career, if there's one piece of advice I'd give, I'd say that it's incredibly important to take risks that make you grow. Nothing good ever comes from your comfort zone. Apply for roles that scare you. Say yes before you feel ready. You might just surprise yourself with how far you'll go. You don't have to have everything figured out - most people don't - but it's important to discover what you're passionate about, master that skill, and show your potential to employers.

My manager told me I was the "most engaged and enthusiastic intern" they'd ever had, and that meant so much to me.

Like I said, if you'd told me last year that I'd be spending my summer working with the Financial Times - brainstorming ideas for luxury campaigns and sitting in editorial meetings with creative producers - I would've laughed in disbelief. Yet, that's exactly what happened. And it can happen to you, too.