Two of our Ambassadors took part in the Otiumberg Summer Internship, a one-week paid placement developed specifically to support young women in our network.  Based at Otiumberg’s Notting Hill studio, the internship offered hands-on experience across merchandising, operations, marketing, design and customer service providing a 360° view of how a female-founded jewellery brand runs. Below Maddy, one of the young women who took part in the internship scheme shares a little about the experience.

---

My one-week paid internship at Otiumberg Jewellers gave me real insight into how a creative business actually runs day to day. During the week, we rotated across different departments, including marketing, design, research and development, some filming, and customer service. Every day felt different, and that kept it interesting.

What I found most impactful was seeing how the business was built by women from the ground up. We learned about the challenges they faced in the early stages and the practical steps they took to grow the company. The whole team is made up of women, and the atmosphere was genuinely supportive and collaborative. It felt like a space where ideas were taken seriously and everyone contributed.

I especially enjoyed observing the design process. We saw how initial concepts were created using design software and then developed into prototypes before being made in material form. The team used multiple design machines to test and refine pieces before final production. Watching that process helped me understand how much technical skill and planning goes into jewellery design. It’s not just about creativity, but precision and problem-solving.

The experience made me realise how much work happens behind the scenes in a business like this. It showed me that reaching your goals isn’t just about having an idea, it requires consistency, patience, and being willing to learn from setbacks. Seeing that process up close made those goals feel more achievable.

---

We would like to thank Maddy for sharing her experience and reflections from the Otiumberg Summer Internship. We are also incredibly grateful to our partners at Otiumberg for their ongoing support of our work and for providing these valuable opportunities. Experiences like this give girls in our network hands-on insight and practical skills, helping them to develop confidence and understanding that will support them as they take their first steps in their early careers.

---