Two Minutes With…Maria Lucey, intern, MRM
We catch up with Maria Lucey, who recently joined the business as an intern, on why the housing ladder is a huge problem, the surprising side of financial services, and her love of Ottolenghi cookbooks.
Tell us about yourself
Since graduating in Psychology from Oxford Brookes, I’m developing my communication and writing skills in a PR and marketing internship at MRM.
Outside of work, I make my way through Ottolenghi cookbooks and UK crime shows.
What was it that interested you about the MRM internship?
I’d not considered PR over digital marketing or social media, but the fast pace, and curiosity of what working in FS would be like, drew me to the internship. Having a very friendly and funny interview helped too!
What have you enjoyed the most from your first three months in financial PR?
I’ve firstly enjoyed the amount of new information learned in such a short space of time – it’s especially been useful for my personal finance knowledge!
Since starting in March this year, I’ve most enjoyed having the opportunity to get involved with the content side of the company through Mouthy Money.
What issues do you think are most important for personal finance media at the moment?
Of course, the cost-of-living issue, which we hear about daily.
But also how inaccessible the housing ladder is becoming for young people, so much so that it is now commonly seen as a life goal, rather than the next step in adulthood.
What is the best personal finance tip you’ve learned since joining MRM?
Keep something in your basket online for a few days before buying it – usually after a couple sleeps you no longer “need” it and the tab gets closed.
What have you found most surprising about financial services during your time at MRM so far?
Barely anyone seems to have started off wanting to work in FS. But it seems to surprise a lot of people as an interesting sector to be in once you’re there.
What is one tool/gadget/app you can’t do without for working?
Microsoft To Do list maker!
What one thing would you do if you were Prime Minister for the day?
I’d push to make women’s sanitary products free – Scotland has the right idea!
What is the one column or website that you read every day?
Architectural Digest.
What would you do if you received a windfall of £10,000?
Spend three weeks at an all-inclusive in Mexico with my phone off with nothing on my mind but guavas, then stick the rest into a pension.