Charlie Graydon
Redhill,Surrey
Summary
Ambitious Master's student (Politics & International Relations/Politics & Economics). Problem-solver with strong numeracy and structured analytical skills dedicated to putting academic knowledge into practice, and gaining practical experience in Journalism.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Work Experience
Autocar
London
04.2026 - 04.2026
- Oversaw a week-long placement at Autocar magazine to deepen understanding of the motoring journalism sector.
- Crafted review articles and engaged with editorial feedback to enhance content quality.
- Facilitated completion of essential business operations while managing editorial responsibilities.
Student at the Times Academy
The Times
London
04.2026 - 04.2026
- Selected for the Times Academy. Collaborated with fellow writers to create engaging opinion, and feature articles.
- Collaborated with fellow writers to create engaging opinion and feature articles.
- Attended editorial meetings where content strategy and direction were discussed
Contributing Writer
Bylines Network
, Kent and Surrey
09.2025 - Current
- Contributed freelance writing for Kent and Surrey Bylines.
- Current writer on articles on democracy, global politics, and current affairs, especially on specialist topics such as Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.
- Supported local engagement to inform and educate the community on relevant topics.
Store Colleague
Pets At Home
Redhill
03.2025 - Current
- Built strong client‑facing communication skills through daily interaction with diverse customers, supporting needs‑based recommendations.
- Supported sales through positive interactions and guidance towards add-on products.
- Collaborated with colleagues to ensure efficient daily operations and communication in a busy environment.
Work Experience Intern
Haymarket Media Group
London
11.2025 - 12.2025
- Assisted editorial teams at Haymarket Media Group in contributing to well-known publications like Autocar, What Car? and Classic & Sports Car.
- Supported the writing and editing of personal articles to help maintain high-quality content that engages automotive enthusiasts.
- Gained foundational writing and editing skills while learning about the automotive media industry.
Volunteer
Byline Festival
Stoke-on-Trent
07.2025 - 07.2025
- Assisted team members in improving participant engagement at journalism festival.
- Supported organisation of talks with prominent speakers including Carole Cadwalladr, Carol Vorderman, Kate Raworth, Lord Victor Adebowale, Naz Shah MP, Dawn Butler MP, and Peter Oborne.
Sales Assistant
JD Sports
Gatwick Airport
06.2022 - 03.2025
- Assisted customers in selecting products to improve overall satisfaction.
- Strengthened relationship‑building skills by understanding customer needs and guiding them to suitable products.
- Supported communication between customers and products to boost sales.
Work experience Intern (ACCA)
Robsons Accountants
Bexley
08.2024 - 09.2024
- Successfully completing processes such as creating bank rules for increased automation in QuickBooks online, bookkeeping (processing bank transactions in bulk), bank reconciliation (including identifying the duplicate transaction), Xero bookkeeping (processing bank transactions via Cash Coding), and payroll (generating a pay run for a sole director).
Work experience
Starr Insurance
London
08.2024 - 08.2024
- Analysis of geopolitical landscapes and regulatory environments to inform tailored political risk insurance strategies, and touched on commercial aviation insurance.
Waiter
Cave Hotel
Faversham
09.2021 - 01.2022
- Answered phones politely and promptly while accurately recording and confirming reservations.
- Retained knowledge of current menu selections for accurate, reliable customer guidance.
- This role also helped me to sharpen my multitasking, cash handling skills, and also successfully operate a POS system.
Sales Assistant
National Trust
Box Hill
01.2019 - 09.2020
- Communicated value propositions clearly to encourage membership uptake, experience directly relevant to explaining insurance solutions to clients.
- Assisted in matching visitors’ interests with suitable events, products, and membership options.
Work experience Intern, Sam Gyimah, MP
Houses of Parliament
London
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Assisted former MP and universities minister Sam Gyimah and his team.
- Supported with understanding life in Parliament.
- Responded to constituents' questions and queries via email.
Education
Master of Science - Russian & Eurasian Politics & Economics
King's College London
London2026
Bachelor of Arts - Politics and International Relations
University of Kent
Canterbury2023
St Bede’s Sixth Form
03.2020
St. Bede’s School
07.2018
Hobbies and interests
- Music is a particular love of mine. I am a proficient guitarist, own four guitars, and play in a band. I am very interested in all things automotive, and one day would love to own an Aston Martin DB2.
Timeline
Work Experience
Autocar
04.2026 - 04.2026
Student at the Times Academy
The Times
04.2026 - 04.2026
Work Experience Intern
Haymarket Media Group
11.2025 - 12.2025
Contributing Writer
Bylines Network
09.2025 - Current
Volunteer
Byline Festival
07.2025 - 07.2025
Store Colleague
Pets At Home
03.2025 - Current
Work experience
Starr Insurance
08.2024 - 08.2024
Work experience Intern (ACCA)
Robsons Accountants
08.2024 - 09.2024
Sales Assistant
JD Sports
06.2022 - 03.2025
Waiter
Cave Hotel
09.2021 - 01.2022
Work experience Intern, Sam Gyimah, MP
Houses of Parliament
06.2019 - 07.2019
Sales Assistant
National Trust
01.2019 - 09.2020
Master of Science - Russian & Eurasian Politics & Economics
King's College London
Bachelor of Arts - Politics and International Relations
University of Kent
St Bede’s Sixth Form
St. Bede’s School