FT Financial Services by Anna Devine

Monday 17 December 2012

On getting the chance to intern at the Financial Times, above all, I wanted to enjoy it.

Beginning with an insider’s view of the morning editorial meeting headed by Lionel Barber and ending with a press conference at the Bank of England, I loved it.

On my first day I sat in the news conference room with a view of the Thames listening to the editorial team’s take on the previous day’s paper and the current agenda.

I was then given the tour by my editorial assistant and later introduced to my editor and the financial services team, where I was made to feel welcome for the next two weeks. I worked on a busy section of the paper, responsible for reporting daily on banking, regulation, the markets and companies.

Highlights included witnessing Mervyn King, the outgoing Bank of England governor and his colleagues at their impressive place of work, taking questions from the press, as well as the stir generated by the announcement of Mark Carney, a Canadian ready to take the helm.

Getting published, covering a shareholder vote, interviewing people and investigating stories on behalf of the FT as well as being shown the ropes by its brilliant journalists were all wonderful experiences. Walking along side the Thames every day to work wasn’t half bad either.

My team helped me every step of the way. It is a very supportive and inclusive environment, with an unspoken understanding - people are busy but only too willing to help when they can. I am very grateful for their advice.

The FT is a great place to nurture a nose for news, especially as one of the greatest economic stories of the last century unfolds and I’m sure my time there will stand me in good stead for my future career.