Life as an intern at International Beverage

In an industry which has had somewhat of an old-fashioned reputation in the past, there can be some barriers to attracting young people to working in the world of whisky today. At International Beverage , we work hard to build our team from the grassroots up.

As part of our commitment to the Young Person’s Guarantee, we recently launched our first official International Beverage internship programme. Two students from Scottish universities, Daisy Love and Cara Begbie , joined our team during the summer months to gain first-hand work experience within the spirits industry and develop skills that will help them as they embark on their career journeys.

Our HC Advisor Nicole Pacheco recently caught up with Daisy and Cara about their internship with our Brand Outreach team.

What has been the best part of your internship with International Beverage?

Daisy: I can think of many! I have really enjoyed attending many different festivals and events promoting our brands. I enjoyed attending Cask Sample Days at the Scotch Whisky Experience and The Whisky Fringe with Old Pulteney. Also, I loved the Foodies Festival and Edinburgh Gin Festival representing Caorunn. Another aspect of the role I have enjoyed was the planning and organisation behind distillery trips. I have enjoyed liaising with distillery managers, booking accommodation, designing itineraries - I love seeing all the hard work behind the trip come together! I’ve also enjoyed my days in the office getting to know the fabulous team, working on presentations … and cocktail making!

Cara: For me, the highlight of the internship has been the opportunity to meet and work with the team at International Beverage. I have been supported and made to feel welcome throughout the summer, and it has been fantastic to gain knowledge from working with people across all departments.

Another highlight of my internship has been the opportunity to be a part of a wide range of projects; including coordinating brand events and assisting the organisation of distillery trips. Specifically, I have thoroughly enjoyed attending events, having assisted in their planning and coordination. Experiencing the successful outcomes and end results of the planning of Brand Outreach events has been a delight, and it has been a great opportunity to educate people about International Beverage's products.

What was your best moment?

Daisy: My best moment was a few weeks into my internship, I hosted a distillery trip with Karol Kulis for our Slovakian distributors. Although I hadn’t been with the company long, I was so excited for the challenge ahead and had the best time. I loved getting the opportunity to meet new people whilst learning about all our brands at the distilleries. It was one of the sunniest weeks of the year too, it felt as though we were all away on holiday! I also spent the week alongside Jim Manson who knows anything and everything International Beverage related so I enjoyed quizzing him…can’t say he enjoyed my singing on the bus quite as much.

Cara: The best moment of the internship was attending the Writers’ Society event at the Signet Library, Edinburgh. It was the first event that I attended for which I had been a part of the event coordination from start to finish. To be a part of the event planning and to have the opportunity to experience a successful outcome was very insightful and rewarding.

What have you learned during your time at International Beverage?

Daisy: I have learned so much at my time with International Beverage. I have fully organised and executed distillery trips strengthening my planning and organisation skills. I have attended brand events throughout Scotland which have allowed me to meet whisky enthusiasts from all over the world whilst allowing me to strengthen my knowledge of our brands. I have liaised with members of the team from all over the world which has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the business and what goes into each bottle of liquid pre-sale and post-sale. I have also had the opportunity to display my creativity in designing new name tags for Caorunn, producing new suggestions for branded wearables and designing itinerates and presentations.

Cara: Throughout the internship I have had the opportunity to enhance my innovative skills and develop my marketing knowledge. I have further improved my communication and organisation skills through the completion of group tasks and participating in meetings. Specifically, I have gained greater knowledge of the process of developing internal tools such as the “Distillery Trip Tool”. I have been working consistently on developing changes and improvements to this tool throughout the summer, involving meetings and using a development platform called “Figma” to create a prototype of the developed tool. This has allowed me to learn what is required in the process of developing a software tool, whilst also improving my presentation skills through practical demonstrations.

I have also gained an understanding of the development of marketing campaigns and brand strategies. The wide product portfolio at International Beverage has allowed me to experience the development of different brand personalities for different consumers and target markets.

How has this internship helped you further your career?

Daisy: This internship has helped me further my career as it has helped me identify my strengths outside of university, in a working environment. Working in Brand Outreach has allowed me to understand the meticulous planning that goes into events and the importance of attending the correct events in order to strengthen brand awareness. These planning and organisation skills can now translate to my new role as Executive Assistant and allow me to produce the highest standard of work possible. Most importantly, this internship has taught me how much I enjoy working within the beverage industry. My time with International Beverage has solidified this is the industry I see myself pursuing a career in for the foreseeable, which I am so grateful to have found at this early stage in my career.

Cara: My internship has helped me to further my career as it has developed my passion for the international drinks industry. I will enter my final year of studies with a strong desire to develop my career within the international drinks industry throughout the year and following my graduation. The internship has also enhanced my enthusiasm for international communications and languages, as I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to use my French language skills throughout my time at International Beverage.

What are the next steps for you both?

Daisy: My next steps are staying within International Beverage. I have been offered the position of Executive Assistant to the Managing Director and I’m so excited to get started. I think this will be a great way to further my career and see many different areas of the business whilst staying within an industry I feel passionate about. I have been eased into the role for about a week now and have learned so much already. Hugely grateful for this opportunity and very happy to work with such a great team!

Cara: My next step is to return to university to complete the final year of my master's degree studying International Business with a Modern Language (French). Following the internship, and with the experience I have gained at International Beverage, I hope to focus my marketing thesis on the international drinks industry.