Why did you decide to apply for Tavistock?

Max: I was keen to gain exposure to capital markets while still working in a dynamic office environment with a diverse workload. I saw Tavistock’s internship as a perfect opportunity to combine these two aspects and build my skillset. The interviews very much confirmed the company as somewhere I wanted to work, with a strong expertise across a range of sectors and a fun and friendly office environment.

Sophie: Tavistock’s well-established reputation in the financial and corporate communications sectors, as well as its variety of clients, made it very appealing to me. I was also drawn to the fact that it is a smaller consultancy, meaning that I would have exposure and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience from an early stage. Having now started, it certainly has not disappointed in that respect.   

Caspar: I was looking to gain some hands-on experience within the financial PR industry, and Tavistock stood out because of how many different sectors it works across. It felt like a great chance to get exposure to lots of different areas rather than just one.

What were your initial perceptions of financial / corporate PR?

Max: My initial impression was that financial and corporate PR looked like a genuinely fun and varied career that can take you in so many different directions, with a real breadth of workstreams across clients and sectors. The industry brings together such a diverse mix of skillsets, from creative and digital specialists through to former journalists, all feeding into how companies tell their story.

Sophie: Before joining, I had a vague idea of financial and corporate PR being the occasional press release and communicating company results. I’ve quickly realised that it’s so much more than that. It’s about building trust, managing reputations, keeping up with the news and understanding complex industries, crafting messages in clear and coherent ways aimed at a specific audience.  

Caspar: I didn’t have a huge amount of knowledge about what the day-to-day actually involved before starting. It’s exceeded my expectations so far, particularly how different each day has been.

What piqued your interest in PR?

Max: The combination of working for a company whose work is intimately tied to the news flow, the exposure to senior leaders across journalism and the C-suite at such a young age, and the genuine diversity of day-to-day work. There really are no dull days!

Sophie: I’ve always enjoyed writing, current affairs and understanding how businesses communicate. PR appealed to me because it combines strategic thinking with effective communication, helping organisations build trust with different audiences.  

Caspar: I’ve always enjoyed reading the news and keeping up with what’s going on in the business world, so PR felt like a natural fit.

What’s the most surprising thing that you’ve learned so far?

Max: I think it’s quite hard to appreciate how much a company’s communications strategy shapes the framing and tone of press coverage. They don’t exist in a silo: press coverage and a company’s own communications are deeply interconnected, and how companies tell their own story influences what journalists write more than I initially realised.

Sophie: One of the biggest surprises has been how varied the workday is. Every day brings something different, and I’ve loved seeing how much collaboration goes into delivering great outcomes for clients.  

Caspar: Just how much goes on behind a single press release or client update – there’s a lot more coordination and thinking involved than I expected. I’ve also been struck by how on top of everything the team are. Whether it’s an earnings call, an AGM or just general market movements, nothing seems to catch them off guard.

What’s been your favourite part of your time at Tavistock so far?

Max: The support and opportunity you get as an intern is fantastic. I work closely with my line manager and the wider natural resources team is always keen to give me exposure to different pieces of work. The nature of communications means you’re working on genuinely important pieces every day, regardless of your seniority.

Sophie: The work environment at Tavistock has been second to none. Small things like being taken out for coffee by all the senior leadership team, after-work drinks or being included in the World Cup sweepstake create an inclusive workplace built on great relationships and have made my introduction to the corporate world a million times easier.  

Caspar: How welcoming and open everyone has been, no matter how silly some of my questions have probably been. The team has been really helpful in explaining things to me and taking the time to walk me through things properly.

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to somebody looking for PR experience?

Max: Apply for the Tavistock summer internship! Beyond that, I’d encourage anyone with an active interest in financial markets, business press and the wider news flow to consider PR. Your work will always be relevant and interesting, and the exposure to senior figures across leading companies, journalism and finance at such a young age is a strong platform for development.

Sophie: If I could give anyone looking for PR experience a piece of advice, it would be to keep your finger on the pulse of current affairs and be curious. Even listening to a news podcast every morning or reading an article in the Financial Times has helped me broaden my understanding.

Caspar: Be open to learning and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something – everyone here is happy to help. It makes a big difference to how much you get out of it.