The Beginning of My Journey

24/1/2012

Hi my name is Chiara Muzzin and I have scored my very first internship placement for this semester. And it has all happened rather quickly!
I was beginning to stress about not being able to find a placement that really appealed to me and would allow me to use my skills and knowledge that I have gained during my Public Relations and Journalism degree. However, I stumbled upon an opportunity to be a Public Relations Assistant for Tourist and Well Being Operator Julie Baker.

The advert was placed on Blackboard and once I had read through it I knew instantly that this was the job for me and wanted it there and then! I emailed Julie on a Friday night and to my surprise I received a phone call the next day! She conducted a phone interview with me on Monday and I met up with her on Wednesday. After the face-to-face interview Julie asked me to jump on board.

I was absolutely thrilled! Her business Journeys of the Spirit appealed to me because it wasn't only a business that created the average holiday package, it focuses on creating very personal journeys and retreats for individuals or small groups to be inspired (through mind and body) in the most beautiful sites throughout the world. The placement will also give me the opportunity to be creative, whether it be contributing to photo or video projects, writing articles for national/international magazines and newspapers or merchandising, in which I am strongly passionate about doing.

This business also touches on health and psychology - which is something I'd like to study and pursue after graduating. Julie's clients are somewhat apart of the sophisticated and intelligent demographic that work within corporate industries, yet they are really searching for a way to find happiness and find themselves in such a demanding and fast paced society. These retreats that Julie has created help them to find a sense of connection within themselves or with others.

My job is to help Julie expand the business, and somewhat grasp a different perspective of her business from a member of the younger generation.
The Saturday night just gone, Julie had given me the opportunity to meet the clients at a dinner party. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to network as well as to meet the people I will be working with in the near future. I was definitely nervous beforehand but after I had left that night I was really pleased with having been given the opportunity.

Monday was the first official day on the job. This whole process has happened within a week! Julie is a fantastic partner to work with, and I'm so excited to be on this journey with her. At the moment we have discussed a number of ideas to help expand her business and I am in the process of producing a PR strategy document to help us keep focused on our goals. This would definitely be the time to thank PR Consultancy!

Chiara
Bentley Campus