The Study Abroad Experience Pt.2 – The Internship

As I mentioned in the previous post in this series, in the summer of 2011 I took the opportunity to study abroad in London.  During this time, I held an internship at Can of Worms, LLC, a small publishing house located in the city.  I commuted to work via the Tube, put in 8 hour days, and learned so much about the business that I hope to one day conquer.

When I first began my job, I was very timid and unsure of myself.  But, by the end of my time there, I had grown confident in my work, and was entirely sure that that was what I wanted to do with my life.  While company was extremely small (there could be as little as 2 people in the office at a time), I enjoyed the hands-on experience that I gained.  I know I wouldn’t have gotten as much experience if I’d been placed in a larger company.  But, I now know that a smaller company is not where I ultimately want to work.  I hope that I’ll be able to work in a larger company that has more room for me to grow and experience different types of positions.

While at work I learned how to edit a manuscript, and was able to edit several myself, and learned how layout works and was able to place text and designs into computer files that would eventually turn into published books.  I learned more about the process that goes into the making of a book there than I ever could have by simply researching it on the internet.  Because of this experience, I feel much more confident in my skills, and will eventually be able to use the experience I had when applying for ‘real life’ jobs.