By Dexter Hastie
It was a Monday morning when I first entered the Haggie Partners office. I was filled with nerves with no idea what to expect. Despite that, those nerves disappeared instantly when Emma welcomed me with a smile and took the time to introduce me to all the people behind Haggie Partners, who all greeted me warmly making me feel at ease.
Over the course of the week, I discovered what it is like to work in insurance in the City. Prior to this week I had assumed that it was a complex, fast-paced industry with no room for a break. However, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. I found that it was much more dynamic and extremely enjoyable. I have begun to see how the industry fits together and the important role that Haggie Partners plays. This wasn’t because it is an industry that is simple to understand but instead due to the fact that the team took time out of their day to explain to me the ins and outs with patience and clarity.
My days were filled with a mixture of tasks, giving me a real insight into the world of PR, but also not giving me typical ‘intern work’. Whether I was sitting in on meetings, doing cuttings or simply listening to conversations unfold throughout the office, I learnt so much. There was something so energising when you are sitting around people who not only know their trade but also enjoy their work and are friends with each other, resulting in my learning more than I ever thought I would. I owe that to the team at Haggie Partners making sure I was involved.
For me, what stood out the most was the fact that every member of the team was willing to explain things to me that would seem second nature to them. This made me feel part of the office. Their ability to balance humour with work created a perfect atmosphere throughout the office which was truly energising and productive for me. It seems that this is becoming much rarer in the workplace nowadays, which I think is something that makes Haggie Partners stand out.
I leave Haggie Partners with a much deeper understanding of how the insurance industry works and a clearer idea of what PR looks like. I arrived nervous and unsure of how this week would turn out, but I left incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I had been gifted. Witnessing and experiencing what occurs behind the scenes at Haggie Partners has been a privilege and I couldn’t think of a better place to have work experience.