Nine Weeks Inside the World of Crisis Communications: My Internship at Alder
By Lottie Newell
When I arrived at Alder on the first day of my nine-week internship, I had very little idea of what to expect. I had, of course, researched the company and had thoroughly enjoyed tackling a crisis scenario during my second-round interview, but the world of crisis communications nonetheless remained something of a mystery.
I was not left in the dark for very long, however, since my first week coincided with several high-profile legal cases related to current clients. Within days of arriving at Alder, I had observed, and in some cases even supported, the team as they responded to urgent media enquiries, advised concerned stakeholders, and drafted rapid communications for client use. Although the team was evidently very busy, everyone still took the time to properly introduce themselves, explain key protocols, and reassure me that there was no such thing as a silly question.
I quickly settled into a routine, which, weather permitting, involved a lovely morning walk along the Southbank to Alder’s office, located right next to St Paul’s. Due to the nature of Alder’s work and the company’s small size, there was no opportunity to hide, nor was I simply expected to spend my days photocopying or making cups of tea. From the moment I arrived, my days were filled with meaningful work, including:
- Attending client meetings
- Conducting media monitoring and drafting related reports
- Contributing to advice packs and reputational audits
- Supporting marketing operations
The work I have done at Alder has been interesting, current and challenging (which I say as a huge positive). No two days were ever the same and a quiet admin day could, and often did, quickly turn into a busy, client-facing one after just one phone call or email. I have learnt not only about the world of crisis communications, but also about how the law, media industries, and different client sectors, such as the education and healthcare ones, operate.
Some particular highlights from my time at Alder include:
- The fast-paced, highly collaborative office environment
- Contributing to real client cases as they unfolded
- The delicious Alder Christmas lunch at St Bart’s
I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity and to have learnt so much in such a short period of time. And, while I am sad that my time as an intern at Alder is coming to a close, I am thrilled to be rejoining the team in March as an Account Executive, just in time to celebrate the company’s 15th anniversary!
