FT Special Reports by Alanna Petroff

Monday 21 November 2011

I chose journalism as a career because I value learning, variety and the ability to work with effective, smart people. I have found all of this during my internship at the Financial Times.

While interning in the FT Special Reports unit, I have had variety in my daily work. I edited numerous Women at the Top blogs and an article about archaeology and antiquities. I wrote and coordinated the visuals for interactive, online articles. I took a leading role in compiling nominations for the annual FT Boldness in Business awards. I also attended daily news conference meetings with all of the head editors at the newspaper.

This variety kept me constantly learning on the job: I learned how to piece together a successful interactive article, I learned about the business of antiquities and I learned about the top women in the business world, such as the formidable Irene Rosenfeld from Kraft.

I also had the pleasure of working with spectacularly bright, friendly people during my time at the FT. The journalists in the Special Reports unit have been very welcoming and made me feel that I was part of the team. I have also met numerous people across the FT newsroom and had one-on-one meetings with top journalists and editors. Everyone has been very supportive and gracious.

I have found what I was looking for: learning, variety and good people. As an intern, I could not have asked for more.