FT Weekend Magazine by Natasha Higgins

Thursday 31 March 2011

Along the edge of the river, through the cobbled streets of Bankside, up onto Southwark Bridge and in through the smart, dark revolving doors of the Financial Times.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by a lovely editorial assistant, who instantly made me feel at ease. She chatted freely asking me about my background and giving me useful information about the company before taking me on a comprehensive tour of the FT offices.

In the afternoon I was taken to the FT Weekend department and was given a desk, an FT email address and some research to do for a cover story. Research and proof reading are the order of my day but I’m also encouraged to pitch story ideas - it’s a real privilege to have the commissioning editors sitting a desk away from me. I have been invited to editorial meetings and gained invaluable insight into the sort of stories that make it into the magazine as well as how a weekend supplement is brought to fruition.

As an intern you’re expected to get stuck in. One of the highlights was going to Parliament on Budget Day and being a runner for the production team. On a lovely sunny day, I watched George Parker being interviewed about the cuts.

The energy of the magazine team, the views of London and the excitement that prevails, gives a snapshot of a highly desirable world to be involved in!