Alum of the Month

Shella Palmer

Shella Palmer

April 2013

New York Program

August 2011 Intake


What and where did you study before your Mountbatten internship?
BA Philosophy & Politics at the University of Liverpool

What made you apply for the Mountbatten programme?
I wanted the opportunity to live in New York and I was in the perfect stage of my career to take a risk and push to do something I really wanted to do.  

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.
I worked for the British Consulate-General where I was Events Coordinator for UK Trade and Investment. In this role I managed all manner of events from small industry dinners to receptions for 250 people and a very complex (and tiring) trade mission.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?
There were so many highlights from holding the Olympic Torch or taking a selection of British companies on a VIP tour of the Empire State Building to running around Grand-Central decked out in GREAT Britain branding with Anna Wintor and Victoria Beckham just a few moments away.

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?
There were so many it’s almost hard to pick but spending Christmas in a snowy cabin in upstate New York with 11 other Mountbattens was incredibly special as was watching the 4th July fireworks on a very sunny day from a park in Hoboken. I will also give special mention to the Easter weekend were we joined a huge pillow fight in Washington Sq. park and hit up an empty Rockaway Beach.

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship.
Make the most of where you live…treat it like a tourist and never become blasé about what’s on your doorstep.

If you could change anything about your internship, what would it be?
It would have been 2 years not just the one.

What happened after completing the year - what did you do next?
After the year I spent a month travelling Tennessee, Texas and the West Coast – we visited in 30 days we covered a lot of ground, from line dancing in Nashville to a college football game in Austin to watching the sun rise over the Grand Canyon. Sadly I then returned to a cold and wet London to start work.

Where are you now in your working life and what do you do?
I know work for BAFTA HQ (195 Piccadilly) as an events coordinator organizing everything from members events and screenings through to big private or corporate events in the space.

Do you have any future plans that you would like to realise & what are they (career & social)?
I would love to return to New York one day but at present I’m very happy with the work I’m doing and there is an awful lot for me to keep busy with.  

Is there any other information that you would like to be included?
If anyone is interested in an event at BAFTA HQ they’re welcome to get in contact with me.