My experience as an intern at Blurred
“If I were to pick one highlight it would easily be the people.” Amanda Leow
By Amanda Leow
During my month-long internship at Blurred it’s safe to say that I gained significant insights into the operations of a truly innovative consultancy.
The internship was placed through the Taylor Bennett Foundation, a charity dedicated to diversifying the PR and Comms industry, encouraging BAME graduates to pursue a career in the sector. The Foundation brilliantly paired my interests, values and skill set with Blurred’s, so off I went.
The internship was entirely virtual, swapping the buzz of the office for bedroom Zoom calls - but I didn’t let this affect my relationship-building with the team. In fact, if I were to pick one highlight it would easily be the people, with some of my all-time favourite moments being the weekly morning catchups and Zoom Thursday night socials.
From day one, the whole team at Blurred were welcoming and approachable, with no question ever too silly to ask. I was given tangible responsibilities from the beginning and felt a true sense of belonging as if I were a full-time employee. In part this was also due to the non-hierarchical structure which meant I really felt like my opinion was always valued, no matter the subject at hand. This kind of openness, both of heart and mind, allowed me to gain invaluable experience despite only being at the consultancy for a short time.
If I were to take away three main ‘lessons’ from my experience, these would be:
1. There are so many benefits of working for a smaller consultancy
This is a point I cannot stress enough, as I feel it really made my experience. Being part of a smaller team enabled me to build relationships faster and get stuck in on more projects. It also provided the opportunity to spend time with, and learn from, Senior Executives and industry experts, including Nik, the CEO, and Founding Partners, Stu and Katy.
2. Research is the foundation of every solid piece of work
This might sound slightly obvious but research and valuable insights go into everything Blurred does. The thorough research, analysis and evaluation stages ensure informed decisions are made, client needs are understood, written communication is concise and key audiences are targeted.
3. The importance of ESGP is the backbone of every successful business
ESGP (Environmental, Social, Governance and Purpose) are fundamental factors in measuring the sustainability and societal impact of an investment in a company or business. And only those taking all four seriously will thrive. This is something Blurred cannot emphasise enough, and is deeply rooted in every single bit of its work.
I am so grateful to both the Taylor Bennett Foundation and the whole team at Blurred, particularly my line manager Greta, for providing me an invaluable and unique experience. From ESGP training with Blurred Partner Matt Peacock, to calls with clients and EU markets, no two days were the same. My professional and personal growth exceeded my expectations, and I have since developed a strong passion for PR and Comms. I look forward to applying what I’ve learnt to my last year at university and beyond.