Willow Spring has completed her internship and is now Public Relations Account Coordinator at London Agency. Here’s what she learnt from her internship experience.
When I joined London Agency as an intern, I thought I’d be mostly observing from the sidelines. Instead, I found myself in the middle of the action; drafting media pitches, interviewing patient advocates, and helping coordinate events. Working alongside an experienced team that specialises in healthcare communications has shown me how strategic, human, and impactful public relations can be. Here are five lessons I’ll carry with me:
At London Agency, I quickly learnt that every campaign begins with a story. I saw how the team transformed technical health issues from patient advocates into narratives that connected with journalists, policymakers and the public. This wasn’t just theory, my early work helped shape stories that went on to be published in AusDoc and PharmaToday.
One of the most memorable parts of my internship was interviewing patients whose stories were central to our advocacy work. These conversations taught me that London Agency doesn’t “speak for” patients, they give a platform to people whose lived experiences can shift policy debates and inspire empathy. It was a privilege to help prepare stories that directly influenced change.
University life teaches patience, whereas agency life teaches agility. At London Agency, I received feedback in real time; while drafting a pitch, refining interview questions, or preparing an event invitation list. Initially, this was daunting, but I quickly realised how effective it was in helping me improve and refine my skills. The culture of collaboration at London Agency turns feedback into a shared commitment; lifting standards so the whole team succeeds.
From the coordination of RSVPs for clinicians attending Parliamentary events, to making sure terminology in press releases was accessible to non-medical audiences, I learnt that precision underpins trust. London Agency’s campaigns are powerful because details are never an afterthought. Accuracy, empathy and strategy go hand in hand.
The way London Agency approaches public relations is nestled in the realm of advocacy. Projects such as pushing for expanded healthcare access showed me that strategic communication can influence policy, funding and patient outcomes. Being able to see firsthand how the work I completed contributed, even in small ways, reinforced why healthcare public relations feels like the right career path for me.
My internship at London Agency was a turning point in my academic life. It gave me confidence in my skills and showed me the power of evidence-based storytelling which has convinced me that this is the sector I want to build my career in. I’m excited to continue this journey as a PR Account Coordinator at London Agency, working alongside the same team that made my 10-week internship so rewarding.
