Spotlight on Maya Abraham-Steele

What is your role and what does it involve?

I've been working as a Intern in the UCL Media Relations team for the past week. I'm here to gain experience in communications. I've mainly been writing all sorts of copy, for news articles, press releases and blog posts on the various UCL channels. I also dabbled in dealing with some expert requests, answering the phones and emails to journalists, which is new experience for me.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

I've been a student at UCL since 2014, and I've been interning here for one week! As I'm still a student I don't have a previous job role.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

Getting written work published is always an achievement. I'm probably most proud of the first piece of poetry I got published when I was still at school. The first time was a massive relief that people outside of my family and friends thought what I was writing was worthwhile.

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of you to-do list?

I am keen to gain work experience or internships. I have a long summer to fill and I am graduating next year, so I want to use my time to gain insight into potential future career paths.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

Album: Kanye West's The College Dropout

Film: Richard Ayoade's Submarine

Novel: I'm an English student so obviously can't pick a favourite novel!

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

I don't know any particularly funny pre-watershed jokes, but I think my favourite one when I was a younger was 'what do you call a deer with no eyes?' 'No-eyed deer'.

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

My first thought was Noel Fielding. Perhaps some writers too, I'd like to chat with T.S. Eliot and Charlotte Perkins-Gilman about their personal mental breakdowns, whilst having Noel there to lighten the mood if it got a bit bleak.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be kinder to yourself; stop worrying about what other people think of you and focus on being the best person you can be for yourself.

What would it surprise people to know about you?

I'm really interested in education and potential improvements to the education system, from primary all the way up to higher education. There have been interesting UCL studies in the media recently about the provision of mental health support in British schools, and the role of teaching assistants.

I think the education system could be improved to better prepare people for the real world, rather than focusing so heavily on stressful examinations and factual recall.

What is your favourite place?

My Mum's house, it will always be home.