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Paris as Classroom

Maggie Mixon

Internship Spotlight: Secret Journeys

I now see a classroom on every corner.

Maggie Mixon, an Â̾ÞÈËÊÓƵ senior, works asÌýan intern at the Paris-based luxuryÌýtravel company, Secret Journeys. She explains how she combined her twin passions of journalism and business strategy – while uncoveringÌýlittle-known secretsÌýofÌýthe City of Light.Ìý

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How did you find out about Secret Journeys?Ìý

It was thanks to Â̾ÞÈËÊÓƵ’s Jobs and Internships database! I knew I wanted to work in business development or sales. One day, I had three interviews – two with software companies, and one with Secret Journeys.ÌýI met Phillippe, now my boss, in a café, and from the get-go we were on the same page.ÌýI’m really interested in journalism and the news, and PhillipeÌýused to workÌýat theÌýNew York Times.ÌýWe talked for two hours! Within a week I signed a contract.Ìý

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What drew you to the internship?Ìý

It offers a whole new way of looking at travel.ÌýWe specialize in privatizing spaces for a luxury travel experience.ÌýOur former clients include Michelle Obama!ÌýAnyone can take a tour of a museum, but our journeys go beyond that. We take a specific angle – say, the women of Versailles – and weÌýcustomizeÌýthe narrative to fit with your interests.ÌýWe pair the museum’s guides with our ownÌýstorytellers, who are oftenÌýlauded journalists. We aim to open a secret door – to introduce clients to curators and directors, behind the scenes. It’s about structuring the best dayÌýwe can, so clients see Paris in a less touristic light.ÌýÌý

My classes in strategic management, literary journalism and international business prepared me well – especially when it came to working with people with varied cultural backgrounds, managing their different norms and expectations.

What do your responsibilities look like?Ìý

I don’t have an average day – it varies from week to week. I meet with Paris-based travel agencies, hotel concierges, museum representatives, restaurants – any potential players whoÌýcan help set up an event. I usually help run a couple of events a week. Then there is the background work – writing tasks for the storytellers, updating the websiteÌýand social media, or calling magazines.ÌýMy classes in strategic management, literary journalism and international business prepared me well – especially when it came to working with people with varied cultural backgrounds, managing their different norms and expectations.Ìý

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What doesÌýstudyingÌýin Paris mean to you?Ìý

It really is unique. I now see a classroom on every corner.ÌýI’ve learned so many thingsÌýbeyond my studies – about art history, music or gastronomy. Studying in Paris means a holistic education. In my internship, as well as all the business aspects, I’ve learned so much about culture.ÌýÌýMy internship was also like a crashÌýcourse in journalism from award-winning journalists.ÌýI always loved to write, but I didn’t realize I would learn so much about it going into business.Ìý

Has your internshipÌýaffected yourÌýplans?Ìý

Definitely! IÌýalways knew I want to work in business strategy, but now I'veÌýfiguredÌýoutÌýhow I canÌýmarryÌýthatÌýpassionÌýwithÌýnewsÌýandÌýjournalism.ÌýRight now, I’m applying for jobs in Paris in business development and partnership management. I’m open when it comes to industry, but,Ìýideally,ÌýI’d like to continue working in media. Ultimately, I’d love to be involved in building a successful publication.Ìý