Alum of the Month

Justyna Kopacz

July 2013

London Program

March 2011 Intake

What and where did you study before your Mountbatten internship?
I graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2010 with a BAA in Organizational Communications and double minor in Event Management and Media Design, Production & Technology.

What made you apply for the Mountbatten programme?
My older sister Agata Kopacz was a Mountbatten in 2007. I had the opportunity to visit her in London during her time - as well as travel with a group of other MB's for a weekend getaway in Europe - I immediately realized what an amazing program it was and just how much I adored London. It was at that time that I made it a dream of mine to move to London and have the MB experience for myself!

Describe your sponsor company and your role within it.
Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading multimedia and information provider for businesses and professionals covering. I worked as a Marketing Executive within the marketing team that led one of our leading international financial flagship products - Thomson Reuters Eikon. I was a key player in all marketing initiatives for the product’s global presence and placement.

What was the highlight/most memorable moment of your working experience during this year?
Working so closely on the Thomson Reuters Eikon Polar Expedition. This was part of a multimillion dollar communications campaign to promote the product by sponsoring a global competition to win a spot on our revolutionary expedition to the South Pole. The expedition was planned so that it was 100 years to the day that the first man ever reached the south pole. We sent a 3 man team to Antarctica in a custom built polar vehicle (including solar panels, bio fuelled, handcrafted/ designed model) with the aim to beat the Guinness World Record of the fastest overland journey to the pole - WHICH WE DID! We also had live footage and blogging coming from our team in Antarctica which we had to post from London - providing 24 hr support for the time they were on the ice! Discovery Channel has also made a documentary out of our teams footage this past year. https://www.facebook.com/southpoleexpedition

What was the social highlight/most memorable moment during this year?
As corny as it may sound, I would have to say our MB trip to Dorset where we did team building exercises and outdoor activities. That weekend was such a great bonding experience that helped shape many friendships that will last a lifetime. I also found Dorset to be such a quaint and beautiful county and the hiking and scenery just blew my mind. Our group was also fortunate enough to be there during the festival at the nearby town on the sea – I’ll never forget the moment where we all watched the fireworks together over one too many pints!

Please share a little wisdom/philosophy that you acquired during your internship.
Everything in life is an experience that you only have one chance to live up to the most potential - we never get the chance to go back in time to certain moments, in amazing cities, with the same exact people as we once did. I believe we should take those experiences and just do - say yes to things, tell people how you feel, dance a little, laugh at yourself and just enjoy it! We always get out what we put in. Whether that be in professional or personal opportunities. I am one that never wants to have regrets - so work hard, play hard, love much, and allow yourself to be happy!

If you could change anything about your internship, what would it be?
Absolutely nothing.

What happened after completing the year - what did you do next?
I wanted to stay in London and had my eye on my dream job within a different team at Thomson Reuters that I had worked with throughout the previous year. I was fortunate enough that a spot opened up and I was offered a job that would start immediately after MB ended! Within a week I found the perfect Victorian townhouse to live in right off Clapham Common and my new life and adventures began! Although it was challenging at first, starting from scratch in finding a new support system in London as all of my close friends I had made were leaving, I eventually found my way and truly made a home for myself with very supportive colleagues.

Where are you now in your working life and what do you do?
I still work for Thomson Reuters within our Global Brand division as a Creative Project Manager. I am the gateway and main client manager for an internal global network of clients who brief in multimedia creative programs to the Global Creative Services group (in house agency). I am responsible for scoping, advising and ensuring the delivery of projects; on time, on brief and to budget. From the briefing phase to execution and evaluation, I provide value and direction throughout the project to meet both client objectives and end user needs. My projects range from -- web/digital, video, photography, print, integrated online and offline marketing campaigns, including advertising, direct mail, exhibitions, and digital signage. I have worked on numerous global campaigns reaching in the millions for budget. My 2 pride and joy projects that I have led have been fully integrated marketing campaigns and development for: www.thomsonreuterseikon.com and www.widerimage.reuters.com

Do you have any future plans that you would like to realise & what are they (career & social)?
I am very happy and excited to officially announce that I have recently made the decision to move back to my hometown Detroit (or more specifically the suburbs of:)! Although I will be very sad to say goodbye to London and all of the wonderful friends I have made here - every party must at some point come to an end. It is that moment for me where I have been shaped personally and professionally though my experience here, and I am ready to bring my new found self back to help re-build the forgotten city of Detroit! I have so much passion and love for Michigan and my family there that I know I will find true happiness settling there. As for career - I am currently on the job hunt for an agency PM role. But more importantly, as it is a long term dream of mine, I am excited to finally be able to partner with my sister Agata and commit to growing her event planning company: www.takeaseatdetroit.com

Is there any other information that you would like to be included?
Favourite quote that always pushes me when I am at a low:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others" Marianne Williamson (Made famous by Nelson Mandela)
Connect with Justyna on LinkedIn – www.uk.linkedin.com/in/justynakopacz/