What’s it really like to spend a summer inside the FT newsroom?

Meet Kendall Luther, a recent Syracuse University graduate who joined the FT’s Growth and Engagement team as an intern. From running social accounts and contributing to newsletters to exploring SEO and audience strategy, Kendall shares what she learned, what surprised her and her advice for anyone hoping to break into journalism.

Tell us a little about yourself and your role at the FT. 

My name is Kendall Luther, and I’m a recent graduate of Syracuse University, where I studied Magazine, News and Digital Journalism with minors in business and political science. 

Throughout my studies and work at the student newspaper, I developed a passion for audience engagement, telling stories that address the needs of my community and ensuring they reach readers. 

During my internship on the Growth and Engagement team at the Financial Times, I’ve further developed this passion across social media, SEO, newsletters and community strategy. Whether running the FT’s social accounts or deep-diving into analytics, I’ve gained hands-on skills and techniques that I’ll carry forward in my journalism career.

What were you expecting when you first joined the FT, and how has the reality compared?

I’ve long been drawn to the FT for its globally respected reputation, depth and reader relationships.

Seeing those values in practice every day has been deeply inspiring. The FT consistently prioritizes stories that matter to its readers and industry leaders, never hesitating to tackle tough editorial conversations or test new strategies. Beyond the editorial work itself, I’m impressed by the FT’s dedication to uplifting diverse perspectives, both within the newsroom and across coverage. 

What is it like working in the FT’s US newsroom?

I’ve absolutely loved spending my summer in the US newsroom. Sitting alongside such talented journalists and editors still feels like a “pinch-me” moment. 

Accuracy and depth are top priorities here. Editors and reporters are almost always in conversation, refining a story’s angle, sourcing and broader implications. It’s a fast-paced environment, and I’ve learned to always be ready to promote breaking news, major global events and exclusive stories across platforms.

From an intern’s perspective, the newsroom is supportive, collaborative and full of learning opportunities. Sharing our ideas is genuinely encouraged, and it’s easy to approach editors or reporters you admire. They are always happy to grab a coffee or offer advice on a story. Everyone wants to help us grow and succeed.

What have you learned since joining the FT?

I could go on and on. Since joining the FT, I’ve learned countless skills that have helped me grow as a journalist. In my daily work, I use top-of-the-line digital analysis and social production tools, all thanks to training from my team. Knowledge of these tools has instilled a real sense of confidence in my work and in how I present it to others.

This summer, I’ve been able to seamlessly jump across different audience roles. Whether it’s helping compile SEO keywords for a live blog, writing sections of the FirstFT Asia newsletter or working on the FT’s first vertical video homepage, I’ve learned at the FT that my skills can be translated into various reach and engagement strategies.

I’ve always had an inclination towards business and financial news, but as a student, there weren’t a lot of opportunities to learn about business reporting. Though I was a little intimidated at first, learning from my team and reporters has absolutely been a highlight. 

One thing I especially love about the FT is the encouragement to try new things across the newsroom. Just because I’m on the Growth and Engagement team doesn’t mean I’m limited to audience work if I don’t want to be. I’ve been encouraged to pitch stories to editors and take the lead on my own projects. 

What has surprised you most about working here?

I’ve been surprised by how seamlessly the FT operates across timezones. It truly is a well-oiled machine. I’ve never worked in an international environment before, and it’s been such a valuable experience to work with people across continents. 

On the Growth and Engagement team, four journalists are in the New York office, while the rest of the team is based in London. But, despite the distance, I’ve never felt disconnected. I collaborate with my London colleagues daily and have developed strong relationships through project work and virtual coffee chats.

What’s been a highlight or particularly memorable moment from your time here?

The internship programming has been a real highlight for me. Events like the Intern Social and the Intern Buddy program allowed me to connect with colleagues across the FT and fully immerse myself in the company culture. 

I’ve loved getting to know my fellow interns and seeing the incredible work they’ve produced. Though we were on different teams across commercial and editorial, we all came together for the Intern Hackathon, where we divided into groups to develop a project and present it to the US office.

Events like these made it easier for me to settle in at the FT and ensured I was able to deliver the best work possible. 

What do you wish you had known when you were first trying to break into journalism?

I wish I had known just how many different roles it takes to keep a newsroom running. Before I started my freshman year at Syracuse, I saw myself purely as a “traditional” reporter or editor, but I honestly had no idea that audience journalism even existed. Now, it’s my dream job, and I’m learning from the best in the business at the FT. 

Media roles are constantly changing and evolving, especially in today’s digital landscape, and there are so many unique career paths that can align with your skills and interests.

What are your top tips for someone hoping to start a career in journalism?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to view your skillset like a toolbox. You should always look for new tools to fill it with. This could mean taking a data analysis class, or picking up a camera.

I’ve found the best way to build that toolkit is to take initiative and to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way, even if it seems intimidating (or maybe even a little boring). Putting yourself out there and trying new things will help you grow both as a journalist and as an individual.

To find out more about our US editorial internship opportunities and apply click here and search “intern”