Crankstart Internship Experience: Jessie Goetzinger, Editorial Assistant
Oxford University alumna, Jessie Goetzinger, studied English Language and Literature at Christ Church, and at the end of her undergraduate degree took an MSt in English Literature (1900-Present).
Jessie, now an Editorial Assistant at Hachette, writes about her experience on the Crankstart Internship Programme, how the Careers Service supported her, and shares advice for current Crankstart scholars at Oxford University.
What placements did you undertake on the Crankstart Internship Programme?
In my 2nd year I secured an internship in Ireland for the summer with The Moth Magazine as Editorial Assistant, which lead to freelance work throughout the rest of my time at Oxford. In my 3rd year I applied and was successful on a Research & Development Internship with Powderham Estate in Devon. At the end of my MSt, the Crankstart Internship team brokered a virtual internship for me with Mushens Entertainment as a Literary Agency Assistant.
What services did you access through the Crankstart programme during your time at the University of Oxford?
I made full use of the Crankstart programmes initiatives, and the Careers Service. The 1-1 consultations and events are amazing: they really helped me develop my applications and CV. I also applied for and was successful in gaining a place on the Crankstart Mentoring Programme, where I was given a fantastic mentor in publishing, who I learned loads from. I attended the ‘Insight into Publishing’ programme at the Careers Service and this was brilliant too.
How do you think these services helped you to secure your current job title?
Every internship opportunity brought me closer to the job role I have now since graduating. The internships opened doors, enabling me to network and gain contacts in the industry that I never would have met otherwise. The internship opportunities I undertook were vital for building a vast range of experiences and the Internship hosts, knowing they are part of a widening participation programme, were flexible and really supportive. Being a part of the Crankstart Internship Programme opened doors I could not have imagined. Luckily, some of these working relationships have lasted long after each internship finished – some of my past internship hosts were extremely generous with advice and references while I was looking for jobs last summer!
Is there any advice you would give to our current Crankstart scholars?
Reach out to the Crankstart internship team as much as possible and as soon as possible when starting your degree at Oxford. Please don’t sit and silently worry or become overwhelmed by careers stuff! Jo and Leia at the Internship Office, who work with Crankstart scholars, are so friendly and helpful – the programme is arranged to be supportive of Crankstart scholars exclusively, and that’s such a special opportunity. Some scholars believe that the support given by the scholarship is only financial, but this isn’t the case at all.
The Careers Service and Internship Office, and the advice, events and the tailored support they give, are brilliant resources for supporting you to find and enter an industry that you are genuinely interested in. I never felt like a burden to anyone due to their care and encouragement, and neither will you – all you have to do is get in touch, and start the conversation!
