Rosie Franklin, currently in her first year studying Printed Textiles, spent her Easter break interning at London based accessories company Tatty Devine as part of the production team. Rosie tells us about her inspiring and positive experience…
‘As a production team intern, I was tasked with assembling pieces for a wide range of uses, whether that was to show to potential stockists or for selling at the annual sample sale. Creating the jewellery required a high level of precision and attention to detail that I sometimes found challenging but I felt like I was constantly improving my skills throughout the whole time I was there. The company is a small business with around twenty employees and interns working in the Brick Lane-based studio, meaning it is a close knit and friendly environment. For example, while I was there I was treated to a chocolate egg hunt around the office and boiled egg decorating competition in the run up to the bank holiday weekend, as well as daily edible treats bought by my fellow employees. It was amazing to experience the real world of work but in a way that was made really fun by the others working there. I felt immediately welcomed by everyone, something that I was worried about after hearing so many work experience horror stories!
Undertaking an internship over the Easter holidays was probably one of the best things I have done for many reasons. Not only did it give me a chance to experience the working environment of a small business but I also learnt a lot about my aspirations for the future (both what I want and wouldn’t want to do). As well as this, the friendships that I formed while working in close proximity with other creative people are not only good connections for the future but hearing about their experiences on both their degrees and the world of work were really interesting and inspiring. Becoming more knowledgeable about London transport was also an essential skill that I learnt. It will definitely be useful as the confidence I gained while doing this internship has made me seriously consider living in London in the future, something that I was nervous to do before, having never travelled there on my own until I started my degree. In short, it was an amazing experience and I would encourage anyone to try an internship, no matter how long or short it is: there were so many unexpected things I learnt that I never would have otherwise and I can’t wait to see what’s next.’